Governance and Public Relations Specialist

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: Governance and Public Relations Specialist 
Job Title: Government Relations Spec III 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: TX Pharmaceutical Initiative 
Posting Number: 10574 
Closing Date: 11/12/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27 
Salary Range: $7,015.16 - $10,083.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 20% 
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: 0570,0571,4502,4505,8018,8221,8222,8223,8224,8225,8226,8227,8228,8231,8232,8233,8234,8235,8236,8237 
8238,8240,8241,8242,8243,8244,8245,14FX,165X,16FX,16PX,171X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,48B,48E,48G,48J 
48P,48X,INF,MC,PA,SEI13,SEI14,SEI15 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI), established pursuant to Texas Government Code Chapter 2177, aims to provide cost-effective access to prescription drugs and essential medical supplies to various State of Texas sponsored Health Plan beneficiaries.

Government Relations Specialist III will report to the TPI Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Advisor and will work on a range of tasks as assigned by the TPI Executive Director while, in general, supporting the Board, Executive Leadership, and other staff of TPI.

The Government Relations Specialist III will utilize legislative tracking systems, work with legislative members and committees, conduct additional research and provide analysis of issues related to TPI’s mission, conduct stakeholder outreach, and promote high-level awareness through the use of oral and written presentations regarding pharmaceutical issues and trends, including manufacturing, distribution, value and supply chain, dispensing, and pharmacy benefits management facets of the expansive pharmaceutical landscape that affect Texas state agency higher education, teacher, employee, retirement, and health care programs.

Serve to identify issues and related impacts to the TPI mission; respond to legislative, gubernatorial, or Legislative Budget Board and other legislative agency requests; and frame matters and prepare documents for TPI Board and Executive Leadership review and/or action.

The Government Relations Specialist III must demonstrate and possess advanced skills for coordinating with government relations, media, and communications personnel to advance and mitigate risks to the TPI mission. The Government Relations Specialist III will assist with omni-channel media inquiries and communications as identified.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF1.  Initiate, create, and complete communications both orally and in writing to support TPI’s mission including TPI Board meetings and member briefings, government relations and legislative matters, stakeholder outreach, and research and analysis for the general public. Includes ideation, conceptual development, creative coalescence of themes and structures, brainstorming, drafting, seeking approvals, and distribution of final form. Media will include digital and print platforms. Utilize uncompromising, best-in-class, and highly exceptional writing and communications skills in all work products. (40%)

EJF2. Coordinate communications, scheduling, and logistics with legislative and executive branch offices outside of formal meetings or hearings, including proactive and responsive preparation of materials and advance communications for legislative hearings and member meetings, gubernatorial meetings, and other legislative agency meetings. (15%)

EJF3. Establish, manage, and utilize a tracking and knowledge base system for legislation and other public policy matters. (15%)

EJF4. Serves on teams supporting TPI Board Management and Governance, advisory committees, and state agency partner and stakeholder meetings, including the performance of a range of basic to advanced tasks related to staging, facilitating, and closing-out follow-up tasks for meetings. (20%)

EJF5. Perform other duties as assigned. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• State legislative procedures, government operations, and public policy.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, value and supply chain, dispensing, and pharmacy benefits management.
• Public health systems, particularly those related to higher education, employee, and retirement health care programs in Texas.
• Government relations practices, including working with legislative members and committees.

Skill in:

• Strong project management to handle multi-dimensional and complex tasks.
• Verbal and written communication for effective interaction with legislative members, state agency staff, committees, stakeholders, and media.
• Analysis and interpretation of legislative and policy documents and assessing their impact on TPI’s mission.
• Public affairs strategies to promote awareness of pharmaceutical issues and trends.
• Preparing, reviewing, and editing correspondence, reports, presentations, and other assigned documents.

Ability to:

• Attend legislative hearings and meetings in person.
• Utilize legislative tracking systems.
• Work with or for members of the Texas Legislature.
• Analyze legislation, including fiscal impact.
• Conduct and present policy analysis and research.
• Demonstrate strong writing skills with the ability to prepare documents and summaries for the TPI Board, Executive Leadership, and partner agencies for review and action.
• Work periodic evenings, nights, and weekends during the legislative session.
• Reconcile competing, urgent, and/or emerging deadlines.

• Work under pressure and short timelines

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Five-years of professional experience is required.

Preferred professional experience examples include attorney, paralegal, legislative-staff, journalism, or Legislative Librarian.

Five years of experience as a Texas legislative-staff with an emphasis on issues related to health care or three-years on staff at the Legislative Budget Board, Legislative Reference Library, or similar position at another Texas government agency with a focus on health care policy is preferred.

Experience in the 87th-89th Legislative Sessions is preferred.

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in political science/government, public administration, or a relevant field is preferred.

A graduate/law degree is preferred.

Professional experience may substitute for education, but education may not substitute for professional experience on a year-for-year basis except as below noted.

PLEASE NOTE: A law degree may substitute for two years of professional experience. A paralegal certification or other graduate degree may substitute for one-year professional experience

Additional Information:

Required Work Sample:

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to submit writing and document samples – Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint or equivalent.

Required Interview Assessment:

Candidates selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket writing assessment.

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. Salary will be commensurate with experience and education.

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.

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.