Social Services Program Specialist

Job Summary

Are you passionate about empowering youth, developing future leaders, and creating meaningful community impact? Travis County Health and Human Services, in partnership with Texas A&M Agri Life Extension Service, is seeking a Social Services Program Specialist to support and expand innovative youth development programming through the 4-H Capital initiative. In this role, you will lead program implementation efforts that provide engaging experiences focused on STEM, Animal Science, leadership development, and positive youth engagement.

The position combines program leadership, staff development, grant administration, and community partnership-building to ensure high-quality services for youth across Travis County. Working closely with Ameri Corps Volunteers, instructional staff, community partners, and county leadership, the SSPA will help cultivate enriching learning environments that inspire curiosity, build life skills, and support positive outcomes for young people.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is the second in a series of three social services program-related job classifications within the Social Services job family. This classification is dedicated to work in a specific social services program or programs and is responsible for performing consultative, technical and administrative work in the planning development, implementation and monitoring of a social services program. This classification is distinguished from the Social Services Program Specialist Associate and is responsible for planning, developing, implementing and monitoring a program and serving as technical program expert and consultant.

This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

• Ensuring high-quality youth development experiences and alignment with organizational goals.
• Provide leadership, including facilitating coaching and professional development sessions for Ameri Corps Volunteers.
• Lead grant writing, grant management, and compliance efforts, including budget oversight, procurement of supplies, reporting, and ensuring adherence to funding requirements and organizational policies.
• Train, mentor, and supervise Ameri Corps Volunteers in behavior management strategies, youth engagement practices, and Animal Science curriculum delivery to support effective after-school instruction.
• Provide ongoing coaching and mentorship to instructors in STEM facilitation, classroom management, and professional growth to strengthen program quality and instructional effectiveness.
• Conduct regular site visits to after-school program locations to provide technical assistance, monitor program implementation, and support instructional staff.
• Coordinate and execute program events, field trips, enrichment opportunities, and staff team-building activities for 4-H CAPITAL students and personnel.
• Maintain accurate records, prepare program documentation, and contribute to evaluation and reporting efforts to demonstrate program outcomes and continuous improvement.
• Monitors, reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, program outcomes and activities in order to identify gaps in resources.
• Plans, develops and conducts program related educational events.
• May function as lead over subordinate program and other staff.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

Bachelor's degree in Social or Behavioral Sciences or a directly related field AND four (4) years experience in social services or a directly field; OR, Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Valid Texas Driver's License. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of:
  Policies, practices and procedures within area of assignment.
• Federal, State and Local program laws and requirements.
• Advocacy groups, social service providers and community outreach organizations.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Program planning, developing and monitoring.
• Conducting education and training sessions and public speaking presentations.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Analyze, research and evaluate findings.
• Prepare administrative and statistical reports.
• Serve as technical consultant and liaison.
• Work independently.
• Manage time well and meet timelines.
• Communicate effectively.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, community outreach and other organizations, clinical service providers, and the general public.

Physical…