Legislative Relations and Rules Specialist

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Functional Title: Legislative Relations and Rules Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: BHH OPERATIONS 
Posting Number: 9882 
Closing Date: 10/17/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $7,700.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Legislative Relations/Rules Specialist (Program Specialist VII) performs highly advanced legislative, communications and agency rules consultative and technical assistance work for the Cross Division Coordination Office (CDC) in the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Department. The Specialist performs complex management and oversight of legislative and agency rules activities. Works with minimal supervision with extensive latitude using initiative and independent judgment to streamline legislative and rules tracking systems and processes leading to process improvement and best practices. Oversees the collection and analysis of materials in response to request for program information. May serve as a primary contact on governmental affairs, legislative matters, policy inquiries, coordination of department rules development, HHSC executive and inter-departmental inquiries and communications. Sets priorities and direction on legislative and agency rules matters. Under the guidance of the CDC Legislative Director, the Specialist manages completion of assignments timely and accurately. Oversees and performs the analyses of legislation and provides guidance to staff. Implements CDC guidelines and procedures on legislative and agency rules assignments. Serves on ad-hoc workgroups and committees. Coordinates program inquiries and tracks the development of performance, administrative, legislative reports, implementation plans, exceptional items and legislative initiative documents. Utilizes project management practices to organize and complete assignments. Tracks BHS and agency rules projects and serves as the department rules Specialist tracking rules milestones, conducting quality reviews of rules documents, routing rules documents to leadership and other departments within the agency for approvals. Serves as the BHS rules liaison between BHS program areas and the Deputy Executive Commissioner of BHS,  the Rules Coordination Office, the Office of the Chief Counsel, the Chief Program and Services Office and the Chief Financial Office. Prepares documents, executive memorandums, papers and briefings. Provides oral and written policy analyses/reports. Prepares leadership for speaking engagements, developing talking points, including development of presentations and informational materials for legislative testimony. Carries out special projects assigned. Works closely with BHS leadership, the management team, Government and Stakeholder Relations, HHS Communications and the Chief Program and Services Office. May assign the work of others.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

(45%)-Coordinates legislative and rules assignments between the BHS Department Cross Division Coordination Office (CDC), the BHS programs, Governmental and Stakeholder Relations, HHS Communications, Chief Program and Services Office, the Office of Chief Counsel, and the Rules Coordination Office. Manages time effectively to ensure work is prioritized and time sensitive assignments are handled accordingly. The Specialist is responsible for making assignments to BHS programs and managing responses ensuring responses are timely and accurate. Develops working relationships with BHS management team and program staff. Leads legislative and rules activities as assigned and serves as the BHS department rules Specialist. Conducts thorough review of documents ensuring quality, consistency, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with BHS Cross Division internal procedures. Utilizes project management practices to organize assignments and meet due dates. Tracks program areas progress on legislative mandates to ensure effective implementation as well as rules projects resulting from legislation, programmatic need or stakeholder request. Coordinates legislative issues and rulemaking associated with legislation in the Cross Division office. Plans, develops, and provides direction on department policy issue papers and reports, including legislative initiatives, special reports and interim studies submitted to the Legislature, as well as briefing materials. Provides substantive analysis and recommendations on a variety of legislative and rules issues, including legislative initiatives, federal and state legislative and regulatory proposals, and program rules. Seeks consultation and technical assistance from the Director as appropriate. Uses critical thinking to solve problems and makes recommendations. Escalates issues to CDC Director.

(30%)-Coordinates legislative communications and rules in the CDC across BHS Department. Provides direction, guidance, and assistance on development of legislative, communications and rules materials, including executive memoranda, legislative reports, briefing documents, proposed and adopted rules documents, rules summary documents, meetings, and correspondence. Coordinates or prepares speaking materials, talking points, presentations, and research for leadership. Works with the BHS programs to develop and establish communication protocols related to legislative matters and ensures they are followed. Reviews all work for accuracy before routing for further approval or submittal. Develops external communication materials and coordinates legislatively mandated report development. Works with the CDC colleagues on responding to questions, assessing impact on programs, and completing assignments.

(15%)- Coordinates development of routine and non-routine progress reporting to include high priority program and legislative projects, management action items, legislative implementation, operational plans and quarterly business reports, progress updates, and ad-hoc assignments. Maintains information related to reporting items, utilizes knowledge of BHS programs, and harnesses staff expertise to streamline expedient and accurate development of reporting documents. Develops processes to report information consistently and accurately.

(10%)-Updates the CDC legislative/communication tracking log, legislative reports tracking log and rules database to manage workload and keep CDC informed of the status of assignments in the office. Uses the management report to ensure assignments are completed in a timely manner. Seeks extensions as appropriate. Attends weekly CDC meetings, discusses issues and makes recommendations. Conducts staff training on legislative processes and procedures. Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of program and policy planning, development, implementation and evaluation.

Knowledge of editorial and information dissemination concepts and practices, and of basic informational research techniques and applications.

Knowledge of Texas legislative and appropriations process.

Knowledge of Texas Administrative code and/or agency rulemaking process.

Knowledge of federal and state health and human services legislation and the organization of federal, state, and local health programs.

Knowledge of the major functions of mental health and substance abuse disorder initiatives and policy development.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and data and to devise solutions to operations problems and translate the impact on operations.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Ability to analyze and develop health policy issues and products.

Ability to handle a wide range of tasks with multiple deadlines in an effective manner without jeopardizing deadlines and desired outcomes or milestones.

Ability to translate complex programmatic information into a form comprehensible to the general public.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to work in a high profile and fast-paced environment.

Ability to analyze proposed legislation and its policy and fiscal impact on programs.

Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, assign and monitor completion of assignments.

Ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely, and effectively in writing or verbally to a variety of audiences.

Skill in reviewing and preparing a variety of written documents with attention to detail and to make recommendations.

Skill in organizing and presenting complex information.

Skill in strategic planning and goal-setting.

Skill in the use of computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Skill in conducting and facilitating meetings.
Skill in project management.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor's degree in associated field required.

Knowledge of legislative process preferred.

Knowledge of agency rulemaking process preferred.

Basic knowledge of mental health, substance use, or other state administered programs preferred.

Basic project management knowledge preferred.

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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.