Job description

Date: Apr 23, 2025 Location: AUSTIN, TX 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. Functional Title: Behavioral Health Program Policy Team Lead (PSVII) Job Title: Program Specialist VII Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Program Policy Spec B Posting Number: 5010 Closing Date: 05/07/2025 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) 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: 701 W 51ST ST Other Locations: Austin MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS Brief Job Description The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Behavioral Health Program Policy Lead (Program Specialist VII). MCS is driven by its mission to deliver quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by serving as the lead subject matter expert (SME) for behavioral health program policy. The Program Specialist VII will perform highly advanced (senior-level) consultative and technical work related to behavioral health policy and services in Medicaid and CHIP. The ideal candidate: • Has a minimum of 4 years of experience in the field of health and human services, • Has a minimum of 2 years of experience with behavioral health policy analysis, • Has excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage high bandwidth projects and initiatives, • Thrives in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, • Demonstrates excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, • Embraces curiosity to continuously grow and learn, • Has strong critical thinking skills, and • Is a self-starter, able to plan and initiate projects with limited direction. The selected candidate will also have a proven track record of working in partnership with other team members to achieve results, will embrace and solve specific challenges facing an organization, brings fresh ideas to complex problems, and leads in a fast-paced and demanding work environment. The position is not supervisory, but may be expected to train, lead, and prioritize the work of others on the team. The selected candidate 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. The Program Specialist VII reports to a manager in MCS Program Policy. The individual selected for this position will serve as a lead subject matter expert and may delegate or provide direction to other program specialists on the team. This position will allow for constant learning opportunities and a chance to impact the healthcare provided to millions of people across the state of Texas. The Program Policy unit offers a collaborative and supportive working environment. Essential Job Functions (40%) • Collaborates with other Health and Human Services agencies and areas to oversee the analysis, planning, and implementation of program initiatives and operational policies related to behavioral health services delivered through the various Medicaid managed care programs and CHIP. These program policies may be related to benefits, administration of the programs, or other topics. • Uses data to prepare high quality research, analysis, and written updates, summaries, and other documents as assigned, including identification of risks/issues and mitigation strategies. • Develops materials for the preparation for or follow up to workgroups and meetings conducted for internal and external stakeholders. • Has knowledge of and interprets agency rules and federal and state laws, oversees compliance with program policies and procedures, and rules and takes corrective action if needed. • Develops recommendations relating to changes in programs and operational policies related to Medicaid and CHIP and provides input related to behavioral health quality initiatives. • Seeks direction as necessary from supervisor when making final decisions about legal or financial commitments. Leads efforts to implement direction from supervisor. (30%) • Analyzes state and federal legislation and regulation to develop recommendations program impact, coordinates with affected program areas and stakeholders, and leads efforts to make changes necessary to policy, rules, state plans, and contract language. • Collects, prepares, and conveys responses in letter correspondence format for legislators. • Monitors program compliance. • Develops contract language, amendments, and procurement documents. • Consults with stakeholders, staff of other HHS agencies and departments, providers, and vendors to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. • Speaks to community and other professional groups to improve and answer complex questions about Office of Policy led programs, and oversees other staff in preparation for working with formal committees, councils, or workgroups. (25%) • Develops internal policies and procedures. • Uses data and works with other program and policy staff to identify trends and address technical problems. • Acts as a liaison with agencies and internal programs to explain and lead technical assistance on federal, state, and program requirements and provide program and policy guidance. • Recommends and directs activities to produce a more effective program. • Identifies staff training needs and develops guidance to support staff development. (5%) • Performs related work as assigned. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Knowledge of: • State and federal laws governing, Medicaid, CHIP, managed care, and health and human services. • Program issues, including financing issues, related to the delivery of behavioral health services. • Government administration, program management, and project management techniques. Skill in: • Behavioral health policy analysis • Written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, write technical information in an understandable format, and produce sophisticated research reports. • Working cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-orientated environment. • Use of Microsoft Office products Ability to: • Lead workgroups, work with multiple stakeholders, and provide oversight to contracted vendors. • Develop, evaluate, and analyze complex data, policies, and procedures. • Work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines and timeframes. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications N/A Initial Screening Criteria • Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university (experience may substitute for education on a year to year basis). • Master’s degree preferred. • Experience of 4 years in a field focusing on health and human services, including but not limited to the delivery of healthcare, public health, behavioral health, state government, or another related field. • Experience of 2 years in behavioral health policy analysis. • Experience in a field related to Medicaid and/or CHIP policy preferred. • Experience developing or overseeing advanced (senior-level) deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products. Additional Information • Additional information about the programs these positions support can be found in the 2025 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book. • Limited teleworking opportunities are available, contingent in part on performance. • State of Texas employees participate in outstanding benefits: • Excellent health benefits, • Lifetime monthly retirement annuity, • Generous leave benefits. • 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 knowledge of the Texas Medicaid program and your career advancement. • Impacting 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: Factors including but not limited to Human Resources policies, budgetary limitations, qualifications, experience, and tenure will determine the final salary offer. Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC. 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. Nearest Major Market: Austin

Requirements