STAR Kids Policy Advisor (Program Specialist VI)

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Functional Title: STAR Kids Policy Advisor (Program Specialist VI) 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Program Policy Spec A 
Posting Number: 7263 
Closing Date: 10/01/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 
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: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

The Program Policy team within Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of STAR Kids Policy Advisor (Program Specialist VI). STAR Kids is the Medicaid managed care program for children up to 20 years old with disabilities. The program integrates acute care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) delivered by one of several managed care organizations (MCOs). 

This position is part of the STAR Kids policy team and performs highly advanced consultative and technical work related to the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of the STAR Kids managed care policy.

The STAR Kids Policy Advisor provides subject matter expertise to agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, managed care organizations, provider organizations, and the general public. The position may serve as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.

Other responsibilities include:

• Takes initiative to use subject matter expertise to identify and propose solutions to program needs;
• Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop policy;
• Oversees the development of operational policy, including contract, administrative rule, manual, and procedural requirements;
• Assists in ensuring compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; oversees and participates in the resolution of issues;
• Facilitates meetings with stakeholders, including managed care organizations, provider associations, people receiving services, and advisory committee members;
• Serves as agency liaison to pertinent advisory committees or workgroups;
• Develops program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals;
• Prepares high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents;
• Drafts legislative reports;
• Develops and provides training; and
• Analyzes program policies and legislation.

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

Essential Job Functions

(25%) Oversees the analysis, development, implementation, and documentation of federal and state legislation and regulations. Develops and provides oversight in the development of policy development, legislative analyses, research papers, reports, and responses to stakeholder inquiries.

(25%) Develops and/or oversees the development and implementation of program and policy options for state initiatives impacting HHSC agencies, including policy analysis, option development, timelines, project structures, financial analyses, and detailed work plans.

(20%) Establishes, facilitates, and participates in multiple workgroups and committees, including inter-agency workgroups and committees. Sets goals and objectives, makes assignments, and reviews and approves work products. Develops and provides training to internal staff and external entities. 

(20%) Prepares and approves high quality written documents, including program and project updates, memos, summaries, legislative reports, rules, waivers, state plan amendments, and other documents. 

(7%) Works with and presents to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and secure support for programs. Consults with public and private agencies to resolve problems, identify training needs and discuss effectiveness. 

(3%) Other duties as assigned.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations;
• Government organization and administration;
• Program issues related to Medicaid services for children with disabilities;
• Principles of health and human services policy and planning; and
• State of Texas legislative processes. 

Skill in:

• Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting complex federal and state legislation and program policy;
• Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated policy and technical information;
• Developing and implementing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues;
• Researching, gathering, assembling, correlating, and analyzing facts and devising solutions based on the information available;
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience;
• Working with internal and external stakeholders;
• Project management;
• Exercising sound judgment with limited information; and
• Working independently with limited direction.

Ability to:

• Analyze complex federal and state legislation, rules, and program policy and use the analysis to develop or revise Medicaid and CHIP program policy;
• Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;
• Lead or contribute to complex projects that require critical thinking, persistence, and problem solving;
• Negotiate among multiple parties and resolve conflicts;
• Navigate complex and dynamic systems and organizations;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships;
• Manage multiple, sometimes conflicting, tasks and projects at a time; and
• Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, and Excel;

Initial Screening Criteria

Candidates must meet one of the following:

1) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least two years' full-time work experience in health and human services;

2) Master’s degree in public affairs, social work, public health, or related field and at least one year of full-time work experience in health and human services; or

3) High school diploma and at least five years’ full-time work experience in a health and human services field.

Preferred Screening criteria:

• Master’s degree in public health, social work, public affairs, or public administration.
• One or more years of full-time work experience in the health and human services field.
• Work experience in Medicaid or 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 healthcare 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.

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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.