Office of Policy Program Coordinator Job Listing at Texas Health and Human Services in Austin, TX (Job ID 14527-en_US)

Description

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: Office of Policy Program Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Office of Policy - Management 
Posting Number: 14527 
Closing Date: 03/23/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the Office of Policy Program Coordinator position (Program Specialist V). This position is selected by and reports to the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Associate Commissioner (DAC) in the MCS Office of Policy. Staff on this team perform various management and operational efforts, including overseeing DAC correspondence and workload, engaging across divisions to implement leadership directed projects, and providing office-wide legislative coordination.

This position is highly visible team member and is responsible for coordinating, routing, and reviewing deliverables and communication essential for the proper functioning of the Office of Policy. Examples include but are not limited to external stakeholder requests, ad-hoc agency leadership requests, and DAC review of office created materials like memos, reports, and presentations. The position will communicate and work directly with the DAC by managing internal correspondence, achieving resolution to high priority issues and requests, and helping distill key summary information required for DAC review. This position fosters coordination within MCS and across other divisions in HHSC to produce high quality work.

The selected candidate will have considerable opportunity to learn Office of Policy and MCS processes and is positioned to positively impact the administration of one of the largest Medicaid programs in the country, providing services to over 4 million Texans. In addition to gaining a deep understanding of Texas Medicaid processes, the top applicant will be exposed to domains of expertise for specific offices and teams, the ability to interface with Texas Medicaid leadership, and an exciting and demanding work environment. The job is fast paced, and top candidates must have flexibility, adaptability, and a willingness to participate as a member of a supportive team.

A key function of this position includes tracking, assigning, and responding to correspondence sent to the DAC mailbox under the supervision and direction of the Senior Advisor. This effort includes proactively identifying subject matter experts (SMEs) with knowledge relevant to specific communication or assignments; relaying direction and guidance to SMEs from the Senior Advisor or DAC; reviewing and proposing edits to responses provided to the DAC that require clarity; and tracking and maintaining status summary of multiple projects, many of which may shift mid-stream based on leadership direction.

The Program Coordinator must have strong initiative, excellent communication skills, ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships, excellent organizational skills, be highly reliable, and be able to implement direction and expectations laid out by the Senior Advisor and DAC.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Manages correspondence to the DAC for the Office of Policy. Assists in the assignment of work to appropriate Office of Policy SMEs and provides input and technical assistance and guidance to staff. Develops external communication materials and ensures communication to HHS executive leadership, internal, and external stakeholders is consistent with agency standards. Exercises discretion and sound judgement in the management of correspondence and special projects. Identifies potential risks and difficulties and designs strategies to mitigate or avoid them. Coordinates with team members within the Office of Policy, MCS, and other HHS divisions. (35%)

Assists the Senior Advisor and DAC with daily operations and with overseeing a variety of administrative functions and specific initiatives. Prioritizes, assigns, tracks, monitors, and reports on program initiatives, including federal implementation projects, led by peers throughout the various stages of planning and implementation. Tracks conference attendance by staff. Prepares responses to public, stakeholder, and legislative inquiries, and performs legislative bill analysis as assigned. (20%)

Develops, reviews, and edits materials and conveys processes, procedures, and agency standards as needed. Proofreads memos and reports. Identifies process improvement initiatives for Office of Policy, develops procedures accordingly, and trains Office of Policy staff. (20%)

Assists the DAC, DAC team or Senior Advisor with special projects. This includes back-up for the coordination of open records requests, project governance updates, and communications liaison. Assists DAC team with operational and technology duties as needed. Collaborates with other organizational areas within MCS and with other HHS agencies. Prepares quality research, analysis, and written updates, summaries, and other documents as assigned. (20%)

Performs other duties, as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge of government organization and administration.

Skill in:

• Interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various level personnel in governmental entities.
• Skill in synthesizing complicated and technical information and translating it into easily understandable and concise summary information for leadership review and understanding.
• Effective writing.  
• Excellent organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Use of Microsoft Office products.

Ability to:

• Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment and demonstrated ability to work with people under pressure.
• Perform work with a high degree of attention to detail and to problem solve.
• Communicate professionally and effectively with all levels of staff.
• Exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision. 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (each year of related experience may count toward the education requirement); Master's degree preferred.
• Experience or expertise in a field focusing on the delivery of healthcare, public health, state government, project management, social work or other related field.
• Excellent written communications as observed by detail and completeness of information provided on the state application.
• Experience with developing or overseeing advanced (senior-level) deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.
  
  

Preferred:

• Medicaid and CHIP knowledge or experience.  

Additional Information:

Limited teleworking opportunities are available, contingent in part on performance.

State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits:

• Excellent health benefits.
• Lifetime monthly retirement annuity.
• Generous leave benefits.
• HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments.

Benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:

• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and career advancement.

• Having an impact on the lives of millions of Texans that depend on Texas Medicaid and CHIP throughout Texas.
• Exposure to the Texas legislative process and multiple domains of the healthcare delivery system, including managed care, fee-for-service, federal/state Medicaid partnerships and other activities related to the administration of the Medicaid program
• Joining a team at the forefront of interpreting, implementing, and developing healthcare policy that has statewide impact.  

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 need.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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.