Senior Policy Advisor (PS VII)

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.

Brief Job Description

The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Senior Policy Advisor (PSVII) who is passionate about improving independence and choice for fellow Texans with disabilities. We are looking for a highly motivated individual who will serve as a team lead for long-term services and supports (LTSS)-related state and federal policy initiatives, such as the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule and Community First Choice (CFC). The selected candidate will serve as the policy subject matter expert for these topics.

This position will be directly involved in developing and implementing public policy which will positively impact millions of current and future Medicaid members through initiatives that emphasize access to community life. The ideal candidate:

• Thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic work environment that will allow you to learn and grow with the position;

• Is able to work collaboratively as part of a team, as well as independently;

• Has strong critical thinking skills;

• Has excellent communication skills, and is able to present complex information in a manner that is clear and easy to understand for a general audience;

• Is organized and can manage multiple tasks/projects at a time; and

• Is a self-starter, able to plan and initiate projects, even with limited direction.

Applicants will be considered for the Senior Policy Advisor (Program Specialist VII) position and will report to the Manager of Program Policy in the Office of Policy. The position will serve as:

• The team lead for the HCBS Settings Rule, a continuation of the national effort to offer community support and services to people in the most integrated setting possible, and

• The lead subject matter expert for the CFC benefit which provides eligible Texans with community-based attendant care and habilitation services.

The position is not supervisory, but may be expected to train, lead, and prioritize the work of others on the team. The applicant selected for this position will work closely with project stakeholders and other agency partners and have exposure to other Medicaid programs and services. Interest in and ability to work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders is essential for this position. 

Essential Job Functions (EJF)

(30%) Develops, implements, and manages projects or special initiatives related to LTSS, including the HCBS Settings Rule, and CFC.

(15%) Leads advanced research, analysis, and evaluation of complex policy issues and initiatives related to LTSS, including the HCBS Settings Rule and CFC.

(15%) Leads and participates in workgroups and meetings with internal and external stakeholders as a subject matter expert or team lead.

(15%) Develops presentations and training material and provides education and outreach for internal and external stakeholders.

(15%) Develops high-quality written project updates, summaries, reports, executive presentations, bill analyses, and other documents and provides briefings as needed.

(10%) Supports the Manager, as needed, with overseeing the daily operations of the unit including planning, prioritizing, and assigning work to others.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

N/A

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Best practices for managing and negotiating competing interests of multiple parties, resolving conflicts, and establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; and

• Texas Medicaid LTSS programs and policies.
   

Skill in:

• Developing and implementing creative and workable solutions to complex problems; and

• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Exercise sound judgment and work independently with limited direction in a leadership role;

• Work cooperatively and effectively in a team environment;

• Participate in strategic planning with Manager of Program Policy;

• Synthesize complicated and technical information and translate it into easily understandable and concise documents and/or presentations; and

• Negotiate competing interests of multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
   

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (substantively similar experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis).

• Experience or education in a field focusing on the delivery of healthcare, public health, state government, social work or another related field.

• Experience developing or overseeing advanced (senior-level) deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products. 

Preferred

• Master’s degree

• Experience in a field related to LTSS

Additional Information 

Additional information about the programs these positions support can be found in the latest edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book.

State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits:

• Excellent health benefits,

• Defined Benefit Retirement Plan, and

• Generous leave benefits.

Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:

• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and knowledge of the Texas Medicaid program and your career advancement.

• The ability to impact the lives of thousands of Medicaid clients that depend on Medicaid services 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, including the opportunity 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 with 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: The salary range posted for this position is the State Auditor’s Office minimum to maximum for salary group B25.  Factors including but not limited to Human Resources policies, budgetary limitations, qualifications, and experience will inform the final salary offer. 

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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.