Policy Analyst Long Term Services & Supports

Job Description:  

The Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking new team members who are passionate about improving critical services for fellow Texans. This team is responsible for developing and implementing program policy requirements and ensuring the quality operation of several long-term care programs critical to the safety and independence of thousands of children and adults in Texas with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and related conditions. Applicants will be considered for a Program Specialist V position if they have experience working with IDD programs where services are provided in a person's home or community for Texans who are not self-sufficient, and who might otherwise be subject to premature institutionalization or to abuse, neglect or exploitation. 
 
Under the direction of the Manager of Long-Term Services and Supports in MCS Office of Policy, the Program Specialist position develops and analyzes policies relating to the 1915(c) Medicaid Waiver programs, Title XIX and XX programs. These programs provide long-term care services to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  
 

Work includes:  
 
• Analysis of state and federal Medicaid policies that impact waiver programs.  
 
•  Facilitation and participation of workgroups and meetings with both internal and external stakeholders and other policy specialists to develop, implement, oversee, and evaluate initiatives related to waiver program services.  
 
•  The position prepares written project updates, summaries, briefings, reports, plans, bill analysis, and other documents for both internal and external communication of policies related to the waiver programs.  
 
•  Responsibilities include delivering executive and leadership briefings, presentations to internal and external stakeholders, providing subject matter expertise on program policy, reviewing, and providing input on waiver amendments, drafting, and finalizing policies and other time sensitive written materials.    
 
 
Essential Job Functions:  

(30%) Develops and revises Medicaid state waiver rules, Title XIX and XX program, policies, amendments, and plans for LTSS programs. 
 
(20%) Provides advanced research, analysis, and evaluation on complex program and policy issues and initiatives related to Medicaid LTSS programs. 
 
(15%) Develops, implements, and manages projects related to Medicaid LTSS program initiatives.  
 
(15%) Manages or participates in workgroups and meetings as a subject matter expert on assigned Medicaid LTSS programs.  
 
(10%) Develops high quality written project updates. summaries, reports, executive presentations, bill analyses, and other documents.  
 
(10%) Coordinates with and speaks with internal and external stakeholders as a subject matter expert on assigned Medicaid LTSS programs. 
 
 
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule, in accordance with the agency's leave policy to perform duties as assigned.    
 
 
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A    
 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 
 
Knowledge of: 
 
Medicaid programs, Title XIX and XX programs, or long-term care programs and policies, and state and federal legislative process.  

Policies affecting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 

State and federal Medicaid policy development and analysis.  
 
Experience with project management for best practices and processes. 
 
Skill in: 

Adapting to and implementing creative and workable solutions to complex problems. 
 
Synthesize complicated and technical information and translate it into easily understandable and concise documents and/or presentations in a leadership role. 
 
Managing, delegating, or participating in complex projects. 

Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues. 
 
Communicating effectively – orally and in writing. 

Ability to:  

Work with diverse groups and interests.  

Exercise sound judgment with limited data and work independently with limited direction in a leadership role. 
 
Negotiate competing interests of multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships. 
 
Work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment. 

 
Initial Screening Criteria:  

1. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (related experience in state government, LTSS, Social Work, Public Health and education may be substituted for one another). Minimum four years experience is equivelent to a four-year college bachelors degree.  

2. Experience in direct care, case management, oversight or policy development related to 1915(c) Medicaid waiver programs which include but are not limited to Home and Community Based Services (HCS), Texas Home Living (TxHmL), Title XIX, Title XX, public health, state government, social work, or another related field. Experience in a field related to LTSS preferred.  
 
Additional Information:  
 
• Additional information about the programs these positions support can be found in the 2025 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book.  
 
• These positions are based in Austin, TX. While teleworking opportunities are available, contingent on performance, these positions will not be 100% teleworking.  
 
• State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits:  

o Excellent health benefits,  

o Lifetime monthly retirement annuity,  

o Generous time off benefits. 
 
Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:  
 
• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth or knowledge of the Texas Medicaid program and your career advancement.  
 
• Having a profound impact on the lives of thousands of Medicaid clients that depend on LTSS throughout Texas.  
 
• Being on the ground level of healthcare policy implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managed care organizations, and other healthcare contractors.  
 
• Engagement with the Texas legislative process to analyze and inform legislators of potential impact of proposed bills.  
 
• Being part of a team at the forefront of interpreting, implementing, and developing policies that have statewide impact.  
 
• 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.  
 
• Note: Factors including but not limited to HR Policies, budgetary limitations, qualifications, experience, and tenure will determine the final salary offer.