Field Policy Services & Support Lead

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: Field Policy Services & Support Lead 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Field Policy 
Posting Number: 18932 
Closing Date: 01/13/2027 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $7,800.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
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: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks highly qualified and motivated candidates to fill the Field Policy Services and Support Lead position within the Access and Eligibility Services (AES) Field Policy team in Policy & Quality.

Field Policy Services and Support team provide front-line field staff with policy clarifications, and include communication with, and travel to regions, for Eligibility Operations. The Field Policy Services and Support Lead works collaboratively within Policy and Quality and across other areas to identify innovative and effective solutions for clients, stakeholders, and staff.

AES is driven by its mission to connect Texans to services and support by helping individuals and families in need of food, medical care, cash assistance and other social services.

This position performs complex (senior level), highly advanced, program and operational policy work, as well as project management activities. The Program Specialist VII will also manage the development and implementation of highly complex, highly visible federally and state directed initiatives. Duties involve performing senior-level consultative and technical work related to the analysis, planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of program policy. The Field Policy Services and Support Lead performs advanced policy research, analysis and policy development related to eligibility programs administered by HHSC.

This position will be directly involved in:

• Planning for and overseeing the development and ongoing operation of programs and services;
• Leading, planning, and coordinating projects;
• Analyzing policy to support Eligibility Operations field staff;
• Developing and providing training;
• Preparing and reviewing high-quality briefing materials and policy documents used by field staff;
• Providing subject matter expertise  on policy for agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, provider organizations, and the general public;
• Ensuring compliance and resolution of program issues;
• Effectively communicating policy and research orally and in writing.
• Participating in and facilitating meetings with internal and external stakeholders;
• Making recommendations for senior and executive management decisions
• Preparing high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents; and
• Maintaining, updating, and monitoring SharePoint sites.

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.

The Program Specialist VII reports to the Director for Field Policy Services and Support in Policy and Quality.

The ideal candidate will thrive in an environment that emphasizes innovation through new ideas, striving for excellence by taking pride in their work, embracing differences as a source of strength, accomplishing more through partnership, leading by example, and learning for continuous improvement.

This position is a statewide position with the capability to telework in accordance with agency policy. Selected candidate must have the ability to provide a personal home internet service. Selected candidate will be expected to travel to Austin periodically for relevant in-person meetings.

Applicants selected for hire will be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

(40%) Works with the Field Policy Director and Manager to lead team members to support AES, Field Policy, and team priorities. Effectively communicates issues to management and works to identify solutions. Serves as the lead program specialist on the team, providing direction and assigning work to others. Collaborates with other areas and HHS divisions to oversee the analysis, development, documentation, and implementation of program policies. Prepares high-quality research, analyses, and written updates, summaries, and other assigned documents. Provides subject matter expertise and technical assistance to provider-specific policy staff, other agency staff, state and federal government agencies, and community organizations, working to solve problems and ensure the timely completion of goals and objectives.

(20%) Leads project implementation by establishing and facilitating workgroups and meetings. Represents Field Policy and AES on policy development and implementation projects. Leads the development and implementation of complex program initiatives. Develops and administers project management tools to support this work (e.g., work plans, timelines, option development, memoranda, analyses, issue papers, status updates, presentations, agendas, risk mitigation strategies, fiscal impact analyses, and reports). Sets goals and objectives, makes assignments, provides direction, and reviews the work products of others.

(15%) Acts as a liaison to other program staff and agencies concerning programs and initiatives managed by the unit. Provides input, technical assistance, and guidance to HHS staff in the development and implementation of program changes and new initiatives. Coordinates the resolution of and responses to inquiries and complaints, identifies trends and emerging issues, and recommends policy changes. Plans, prioritizes, and performs complex research and analysis on federal and state laws, legislation, rules, regulations, and guidance related to state and federal programs administered by HHSC and AES, and advises on impacts and considerations for HHSC. Coordinates, drafts, and reviews responses to requests for policy information from agency leadership and external stakeholders. Provides guidance and technical assistance to agency staff on relevant policy matters.

(10%) Prepares and reviews high quality documents to support state office and eligibility operational staff with program planning, policy development, implementation, and decision making (e.g., analyses, briefing documents, memoranda, presentations, talking points, rules, job aids, and guides).

(10%) Coordinates with community and professional groups and public stakeholders to provide information and technical assistance, identify needs, and resolve issues. Delivers oral presentations and prepares written materials, as appropriate, and supports the establishment and facilitation of interagency workgroups and committees.

(5%) Performs other duties, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Medicaid (MEPD and TW), CHIP/HTW, SNAP, and TANF programs and the other state and federal programs administered by HHSC and AES;
• Government organization and administration;
• State and federal legislative and policy development processes; and
• HHSC processes related to the administration or provision of benefits.

Skill in:

• Using personal computer application software such as MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Adobe Pro, MS Project, or similar programs;
• Program and project management and the ability to lead project teams and work with multiple stakeholders;
• Planning and organization;
• Researching and analyzing complex policy issues, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, and sub-regulatory guidance;
• Writing and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations on policy, synthesize and write technical information in an understandable format, and produce high-quality, sophisticated reports;
• Updating and maintaining high-traffic AES SharePoint sites;
• Identifying policy options and impacts for decision makers;
• Synthesizing complex information and translating it into clear and concise policy documents;
• Problem solving and independent decision-making;
• Critically evaluating issues and proactively seeking solutions; and
• Developing and evaluating policies and procedures; and making recommendations and decisions.

Ability to:

• Thrive in an environment that emphasizes teamwork to achieve goals, excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability, curiosity to continuously grow and learn, critical thinking for effective execution, and integrity to do things right even when what is right is not easy;
• Assign and leads the work of others;
• Perform work with a high degree of attention to detail and implement creative solutions to problems;
• Manage projects and coordinate workgroups and meetings;
• Prioritize time and manage multiple project deadlines;
• Develop work plans and organize work;
• Develop concise policy documents;
• Represent the department as a subject matter expert;
• Work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines and timeframes;
• Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-orientated environment;
• Work together with Policy & Quality and the agency to accomplish objectives; and
• Balance multiple assignments, projects, and responsibilities.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

[N/A]

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in operations, business, public affairs, social work, policy, social work, public health, or a related field preferred; relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Four years work experience with MEPD and Texas Works programs (Medicaid, CHIP, HTW, MBCC, SNAP, and TANF), or other AES/HHS programs.
• Recent TIERS experience (within last three years) related to eligibility determinations is preferred.
• Experience applying local, state, and federal laws relating to the Texas Works and MEPD programs.
• Experience developing or overseeing advanced level deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.
• Experience in project management and policy development.
• Experience in gathering, assembling, correlating, analyzing facts, and preparing concise reports.

Additional Information:

Applicants may not have a history of substantiated fraudulent activity against HHSC or any programs it administers. Applicants who have a non-fraud overpayment with an outstanding balance must agree to repay the overpayment balance as a condition of employment.

HHSC offers competitive benefits including free health coverage for you and affordable health plans for your family, dental and life insurance plans, paid holidays, accrued vacation and sick leave, promotional opportunities and the gratification of making a positive impact on individuals and families in need.

More information regarding available benefits can be found at: https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance.

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.