DHHS Program Specialist; Adult Protective Services

Position: DHHS Program Specialist (Adult Protective Services)
The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Health & Human Services
- Agency 25

Location:

Statewide, NEHiring Rate:$24.862

Job Posting:

JR DHHS Program Specialist (Adult Protective Services) (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):10-01-2026

Job Description:

State of Nebraska, DHHS, is seeking an APS Program Specialist to provide statewide leadership and policy support for Adult Protective Services. This role is the single point of statewide policy support for all 53 APS staff, providing clarification on complex cases, service needs, and statutory requirements. The Program Specialist position is critical to protecting federal funding, maintaining compliance with newly implemented federal APS requirements, and ensuring APS staff statewide have the daily guidance they need to safely serve vulnerable adults.

PLEASE NOTE:

Position location will be pending office space availability. Preferred locations are:
Grand Island, Hastings, Kearney, Lexington, York, Lincoln, or Omaha.

Examples of Work Primary Duties of this position include but are not limited to:

Assurance of spending accuracy, reconciles monthly accounting reports, communicates with ACL (Administration for Community Living) auditors, and prevents misuse or loss of federal funds.

Implementing Medicaid Administrative Claiming for APS activities.

Developing of the State APS Plan and APS Operational Plan, to ensure Nebraska’s APS Program compliance with the new Federal APS Final Rule.

Researching, reviewing, analyzing, and reporting on federal regulations, state laws and their administrative requirements to formulate appropriate policies, procedures, and interpretations for the Adult Protective Services Program.

Drafts, develops, and implements policy, procedure and program regulations related to Adult Protective Services.

Develops, maintains, and monitors contracts and contractors, providing recommended action steps on contractor performance, develop and negotiate contacts using the RFP Process.

Serves as a representative for Nebraska APS on committees, boards, councils and/or advisory groups (State and National Level) that coordinate safety planning, policy development, and resource sharing for vulnerable adults in order to establish and maintain APS partnerships, develop and maintain low-cost service options, and enhance the program’s ability to respond effectively to community safety needs.

Provides presentations and education on Adult Protective Services and Vulnerable Adults to local communities as well as statewide agencies.

Handles communications with the AG’s Office, Ombudsman’s Office, and Governor’s Office involving APS case inquiries, requests, and constituent complaints/concerns.

Requirements/Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent coursework/training, in public administration, social/behavioral sciences, healthcare, human services or other program related field. Professional experience working in a human/social service or health care agency with responsibility for planning or evaluation services, programs or operational policies and practices may substitute in lieu of the educational requirement.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with vulnerable adults age 18 and older.

Budget management and policy writing experience for a program or agency.

Experience with case management in the human services field.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities Knowledge of: the principles and practices of public administration; policy and procedure development; methods and techniques of program planning; federal and state laws, rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to health and human services programs; public funds and budgeting methods; quality assurance…