Project Coordinator

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.

Job Description

The Project Coordinator supports project governance and best practices in project management within Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS). Reporting to the Director of the Project Advisory and Coordination Team (PACT), this role performs coordination and facilitation of cross-functional projects aligned with MCS priorities, including legislative initiatives.

The Project Coordinator plays a vital role in supporting project managers by assisting with keeping project teams on track, following up on deadlines for work products, and ensuring timely completion of project reports and other project management deliverables.  This includes facilitating approval processes and maintaining key project management artifacts such as stakeholder registers and risk, issue, and decision logs.

The position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions

(40%) Project Coordination & Execution. Serves in a project coordinator capacity to:

• Plan, coordinate, and monitor projects using standard project management tools and methodologies (e.g., Smartsheet).
• Support deliverable development, decision-making activities, and inter-agency coordination across MCS or agency departments.

(25%) Project Monitoring & Quality Assurance. Tracks and manages action items, risks, issues, decisions, and assumptions for multiple projects to support project managers. Maintains and manages project documentation on behalf of project managers. Supports quality assurance for project reports and deliverables.

(20%) Portfolio Governance Support. Serves on the governance team to support sponsors and project managers across MCS with governance processes (e.g., project intake, reporting/monitoring, operational readiness, and project closeout).

(10%) Meeting & Communication Facilitation. Leads governance and project team meetings; assists with developing agendas, facilitating discussions, and documenting key outcomes. Tracks and reports portfolio performance metrics for leadership.

(5%) Other Duties. Provides support for administrative tasks, disaster response efforts, team building engagement events, research, or process improvement initiatives as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications    

Project Management Professional (PMP) ® certification or the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)® is encouraged to be obtained within 12 months of hire. 

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including grammar, editing, and proofreading.
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Experience supporting project managers with managing timelines, deliverables, and approvals.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to lead and facilitate meetings effectively.
• Skill in fostering team accountability and managing team dynamics.
• Ability to synthesize complex information for reports and presentations, tailored appropriately for the audience.
• Ability to navigate conflicts constructively while demonstrating emotional intelligence, professionalism, and resilience in team settings and high-pressure situations.

• Skill and proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Visio).

• Experience using Smartsheet or similar project tracking tools is a plus.

Initial Screening Criteria   

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college. Note: Six or more years of professional experience in project coordination or management may substitute for a degree.
• Minimum two years’ experience coordinating projects, facilitating workgroups, or leading team meetings.
• Willingness to work non-standard hours, including evenings and weekends, during disaster response events.
• Certified Associated in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) is preferred.
• Experience in healthcare industry or health and human services is preferred.
• Experience with Smartsheet is preferred.

Additional Information

Interviews will be held in-person at State Office headquarters located at North Austin Complex (NAC),4601 W Guadalupe St, Austin, Texas 78751.

In basket; Individuals selected for the interview will be required to provide work samples demonstrating project management and presentation skills.

This position is based at our State Office headquarters located at the NAC, 4601 W Guadalupe St, Austin, Texas 78751. To ensure reliable availability and consistent in-office presence, candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of the headquarter location. Applicants living outside this area must be willing to relocate prior to the start date.

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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.