Date: Aug 25, 2025
Location:AUSTIN, TX
Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. Our comprehensive benefits package includes 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees, a defined benefit pension plan, generous time off benefits, numerous opportunities for career advancement and more. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.
Functional Title: OIG Targeted Query Coordination Specialist
Job Title: Research Specialist III
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Med Svcs - Acute Care Intake
Posting Number: 8357
Closing Date: 09/08/2025
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $5,521.16
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 10%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

FACILITY LOCATION:

Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST
Other Locations: Austin; Bastrop; Elgin; Georgetown; Giddings; Round Rock; San Marcos
MOS Codes: 0231,0531,4505,4591,8051,8825,8850,15AX,35F,38A,49A,683X,783X,IS,ISS,OSS
The Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) Targeted Queries (TQ) team is seeking an enthusiastic, motivated, and adaptable team member to serve as the TQ Coordination Specialist – someone who is willing to take initiative to step in and help wherever it is most needed within the TQ team and across the Data Reviews division.
OIG’s mission is to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans through good stewardship of public resources, with a focus on core public health functions. OIG is a dynamic organization that specializes in the prevention, detection, audit, inspection, review, and investigation of fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision and delivery of all state health and human services and enforces state law related to the provision of those services. The OIG’s TQ team conducts retrospective payment reviews of Medicaid and other Texas public health care program providers using advanced algorithms that identify indicators of fraud, waste or abuse in data. The TQ model employs replicable data analysis techniques to detect, deter and prevent new and ongoing fraud, waste and abuse patterns, and recover misspent Medicaid funds.
Working under the leadership of the Targeted Queries Manager, the TQ Coordination Specialist will provide both administrative and operational support across for the TQ team. This position will assist other Research Specialists and TQ leadership with case support and research; including but not limited to communicating with managed care entities; following up on case-related correspondence; assisting with facilitating appeal-related correspondence, such as reminders; and conducting provider research prior to and during case initiation.
Additionally, this position will assist with accounts receivables coordination for the TQ team, ensuring that data and documentation related to TQ cases accurately supports recovery and collections processes, that payments received by the TQ team are documented appropriately in tracking systems and databases, that provider refunds are processed correctly and timely, that check and electronic payments are well documented, and preparing cases to be transferred to other OIG and HHS teams for collection of outstanding debt. The position is responsible for serving as a liaison with other OIG, HHS, and state agency divisions as appropriate to ensure that TQ-related payments are deposited and credited accurately. The position is also responsible for developing and documenting policies and processes related to TQ’s accounts receivables workflow, including promoting continuous improvement in strengthening check and electronic payment receipt processes for the team.
The position serves as a staff-level researcher, using independent judgment and exercising moderate latitude to design, conduct, and evaluate research work products. The position may train and assist other Data Reviews staff in the use of computer applications, research methodologies, project development, and in the identification of resources necessary to produce effective outcomes.
The position will perform other duties as assigned. The position requires up to 10% travel with infrequent overnight stays and m. May require work hours other than 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Requires viewing computer screens for long periods of time, up to six or more hours per day.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAS):

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to Medicaid and other public healthcare programs.
• Knowledge of data analysis techniques and their application to analytical research.
• Knowledge of measurement, testing, and evaluation of data.
• Knowledge of research methods, principles, techniques, and philosophies.
• Knowledge of systems and procedures used to evaluate project performance.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate research projects.
• Ability to retrieve and evaluate research data.
• Ability to accurately interpret and apply policies and procedures.
• Ability to implement measurement techniques relevant to a specific research project and validate output for relevance, reliability, and accuracy.
• Ability to interpret and publish research findings.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to coordinate activities among public, private, and professional groups, express ideas clearly and concisely, address audiences effectively, and exercise judgment in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Skill in conducting qualitative and quantitative research.
• Skill in the use of a computer and the use of statistical and evaluative software, tools, and programs.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• Skill in researching, developing and writing professional reports and/or presentation material.
• Skill in problem solving and independent decision making.
• Skill in setting priorities and monitoring progress toward established goals.
• Skill in developing and evaluating policies and procedures; assessing risks and developing contingency plans; and making recommendations for program improvement.
• Skill in synthesizing complicated and technical information and translating it into understandable and concise documents and presentations.
• Skill in interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work collaboratively with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.

REGISTRATIONS, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS:

N/A

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

• The OIG is responsible for preventing, detecting, auditing, inspecting, reviewing, and investigating fraud, waste, and abuse in the provision of HHS in Medicaid and other HHS programs. Potential employees of OIG are subject to criminal background checks in accordance with the HHS Human Resources policy. Selected applicants must complete a national fingerprint-based criminal background check through Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to determine if they have criminal history record information that constitutes a bar to employment.
• Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.
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  Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
  Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor’s Office - Job Descriptions.

Please refer the Job description for details