Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VII) Job Listing at Texas Health and Human Services in Austin, TX (Job ID 9368-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: Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VII) 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Program Policy Spec A 
Posting Number: 9368 
Closing Date: 12/09/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description: Program Specialist VII

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Senior Advisor to the Director of Program Policy.

This position performs complex (senior level), highly advanced, consultative and technical work related to the analysis, planning, development, implementation, and oversight of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) program policy. This position will allow for constant learning opportunities, development as a leader, and a chance to impact health care provided to individuals receiving Medicaid and CHIP services.

As a lead position on the team, the Senior Advisor:

• Assists the director with overseeing the daily operations of the team;
• Leads and oversees the development of program and operational managed care policy (including contract, administrative rule, manual, and handbook requirements);
• Develops project timelines;
• Monitors the progress and schedule of projects;
• Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders;
• Provides subject matter expertise to agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, provider organizations, contractors, clients, and the public;
• Ensures compliance and resolution of program issues;
• Develops and provides training;
• Analyzes legislation;
• Implements legislative directives;
• Participates in and facilitates meetings with internal and external stakeholders; and
• Prepares high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents.

In performing these duties, the Senior Advisor routinely interacts with leadership, managed care organizations, other state agencies, community agencies, organizations, advocates, and clients.

The position is not supervisory, but will assign, prioritize, oversee, and review the work of staff. The position will work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The ideal candidate has initiative, has excellent writing and analysis skills, and thrives in an environment that emphasizes:

• teamwork to achieve goals;
• excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability;
• curiosity to continuously grow and learn;
• critical thinking for effective execution; and
• integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy. 

Essential Job Functions: Works collaboratively with others to identify innovative and effective solutions for clients, stakeholders, and staff. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

(30%) Assists the Director with daily operations, including a variety of programmatic, operational, and administrative functions. Assigns, prioritizes, tracks, reviews, and reports on the team's work. Provides professional guidance and technical assistance about programs, projects, and initiatives under the Director's responsibility. Develops and updates operating procedures. Identifies staff training needs, develops guidance to support staff development, and assists with training staff.

(30%) Serves as lead on the planning, development, and implementation of complex program initiatives and special projects, including those related to federal- and state-directed initiatives.  Conducts research, develops work plans, develops deliverables, completes tasks, monitors progress, analyzes data, and identifies risk to projects. Coordinates and collaborates with other staff, other state agencies, managed care organizations, providers, and stakeholders. Prepares written status updates for leadership and delivers oral status updates to leadership.

(20%) Develops written deliverables such as analyses, letters, memoranda, analyses, reports, presentations, agendas, policies, and rules.

(15%) Provides information and technical assistance to MCS and other HHSC staff, other state agencies, legislative staff, managed care organizations, providers, contractors, and public stakeholders. Arranges and facilitates workgroups and meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Sets goals and objectives, develops materials, delivers oral presentations, identifies needs, resolves challenges and concerns, and monitors and reports on progress.

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Legislative process and experience analyzing legislation;
• Government organization and administration;
• State and federal laws, regulations, and processes governing Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, or health and human services; and
• MCS and HHSC processes related to the administration or provision of Medicaid and CHIP benefits.

Skill in:

• Using personal computer application software such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, MS Project, or similar programs;
• Program and project management and the ability to lead project teams and work with multiple stakeholders;
• Planning and organization;
• Performing work with a high degree of attention to detail;
• Balancing multiple assignments, projects, and responsibilities;
• Researching and analyzing complex policy issues, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and sub-regulatory guidance; and
• Writing and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, synthesize and write technical information in an understandable format, and produce high-quality, sophisticated reports.

Ability to:

• Lead and train others;
• Thrive in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy;
• Analyze state and federal legislation and regulation to determine program impact;
• Analyze data;
• Develop and implement creative solutions to problems;
• Develop, interpret, and evaluate policies and procedures;
• Implement legislation and projects;
• Interpret legal documents such as contracts;
• Work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines and timeframes;
• Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-orientated environment; and
• Work collaboratively across MCS and the agency to accomplish objectives.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Meet one of the following education and experience requirements:

• • A master's degree in public health, social work, public affairs, or public administration and at least two years' full-time work experience in a health and human services field;
  • A bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least three years' full-time work experience in a health and human services field; OR
  • A high school diploma and at least six years' full-time work experience in a health and human services field. 

2. Full-time work experience developing or overseeing advanced (senior-level) level deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products during which the applicant regularly analyzed work problems from an administrative aspect and interpreted complex written material.

Preferred Screening criteria: 

• A master's degree in public health, social work, public affairs, or public administration;
• Experience in policy analysis and policy development; and
• Full-time work experience with Medicaid and CHIP Services. 

Additional Information:

Additional information about the programs this position supports can be found on the 2024 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book: https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/texas-medicaid-chip-reference-guide-15th-edition.pdf.

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.

Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:

• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and career advancement.
• Being part of a team that impacts the lives of millions of Texans that depend on Texas Medicaid throughout Texas.
• Being on the ground level of healthcare policy development and implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managed care organizations, and other health care contractors.
• Engagement with the Texas legislative process, including the opportunity to analyze and inform legislators of potential impact of proposed bills.
• The opportunity to learn and engage with 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.

The position is located in Austin and requires regular in-office attendance.

The final salary offer is dependent on factors such as Human Resources policies and available budget. 

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.