AI Innovation Intern

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: AI Innovation Intern
Job Title: Programmer I
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Medi-Social Serv Apl Dev
Posting Number: 17065
Closing Date: 06/14/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical
Salary Range: $2,664.47 - $3,626.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework:
Travel:
Regular/Temporary: Temporary
Full Time/Part Time: Part time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 0673,2652,8846,8848,16KX,181X,182X,255A,255S,25B,26B,62E,681X,682X,781X,782X,8K000,CT,CTR,CWT,CYB10
CYB11,ISM,IT,Z Prefix

Brief Job Description:

Are you looking for a paid summer internship? Thinking about a career in government? This internship offers hands-on experience applying innovative AI solutions in a real-world government IT setting, professional mentorship, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the modernization of critical systems serving Texans.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) is seeking a forward-thinking Information Technology Intern to support the TIERS (Texas Integrated Eligibility Redesign System) and Medicaid Enterprise Systems (MES) application development teams, with a strong emphasis on the innovative application of artificial intelligence (AI) tools. This internship provides a unique opportunity to help modernize mission critical government systems through experimentation, prototyping, and applied AI solutions that drive measurable improvements in efficiency, quality, and insight.

The intern will work alongside IT professionals—including project managers, systems analysts, developers, and business stakeholders—to identify real-world challenges within application development, testing, and operations and creatively apply AI technologies to address them. This role goes beyond observation; the intern will actively contribute to designing and testing AI-enabled approaches that support large-scale eligibility and Medicaid systems used across the State of Texas.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Key Responsibilities

• Innovatively apply AI tools and techniques—such as generative AI, machine learning concepts, and intelligent automation—to improve IT workflows, documentation, analysis, and decision support for TIERS and MES teams.
• Design, prototype, and evaluate AI-driven solutions that enhance process efficiency, reduce manual effort, and improve consistency in areas such as requirements analysis, testing support, defect analysis, and knowledge management.
• Support software testing and quality assurance efforts using AI-assisted testing approaches, including test case generation, test data analysis, production issue trend identification, and results visualization.
• Analyze existing business and technical processes to identify opportunities where innovative AI applications can improve accuracy, timeliness, compliance, or user experience.
• Clearly document AI use cases, assumptions, outcomes, and lessons learned, translating technical concepts into concise, business-ready narratives for diverse stakeholders.
• Participate in Agile or hybrid delivery activities to gain exposure to enterprise application development and governance practices within a public-sector IT environment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Additional Information:

This internship offers hands-on experience applying innovative AI solutions in a real-world government IT setting, professional mentorship, and the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the modernization of critical systems serving Texans.

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.

Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Selected candidate must be willing to commute to the office if required.

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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.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework. Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.