Functional Title: Communications Coordinator Job Title: Program Specialist VII Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: BH-MHSA Division Management Posting Number: 20489 Closing Date: 09/09/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $5,797.66- $9,508.25 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-25 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for 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: 4601 W GUADALUPE ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) research, evaluation, consultative services, and communications work in the Mental Health Programs Administration and Policy (MHPAP) Unit for the Mental Health Programs (MHP) Department and reports directly to the Director of MHPAP. Serves as the assignment coordinator and liaison for MHP Department response to general assignments, media, legislative inquiries, external data requests, and open records. Develops and maintains assignment tracking log for workload management and project status updates. Maintains records and serves as the MHP SharePoint Coordinator, reviewing and maintaining MHP Department site pages. Reviews and provides edits to a variety of documents including but not limited to briefing documents, presentations, reports, brochures, fliers, newsletters, and memoranda for executive management review and decision-making. Coordinates department web edits, reports, correspondence, and department newsletter content. Coordinate, create, update and maintain MHP department wide procedures. Responsible for ensuring digital content produced by the department is accessible. Creates, conducts, and disseminates trainings and guides on communication items and practices for MHP in accordance Behavioral Health Services procedures. Serves as the liaison on HHSC cross-agency initiatives and projects. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

30% - Performs highly advanced (senior-level) research, evaluation, consultative services, and communications for the MHP department. Serves as the assignment coordinator and liaison between the MHP Department, other departments within the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division, and other HHSC Divisions in response to general assignments, media, legislative inquiries, external data requests, and open records. Develops and maintains assignment tracking log for workload management and project status updates. Maintains records, ensuring materials are stored and accessible. Reviews, compiles, coordinates, communicates, and tracks requests to ensure adherence to deadlines, resolution of issues, and timely status updates to MHP leadership. Ensures agency policies and department procedures are followed. Escalates issues to the MHPAP Director and the MHP Associate Commissioner as appropriate for decision making or resolution.

25% - Using analytical skills and attention to detail, develops, coordinates, reviews, and edits executive memoranda, legislative reports, briefing documents, presentations, and correspondence for comprehension, consistency, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal procedures in preparation for executive management review and decision making. Recommends revisions or changes in scope, format, and content on various communications documents. Coordinates, reviews, and edits communications documents such as reports, training guides, brochures, newsletters, and primers for internal and external stakeholder audiences related to MHP program areas. Reviews and edits program content for department web pages and coordinates program update requests with BHS Strategy and Operations and HHSC Communications.

20% - Coordinates, creates, updates, and maintains MHP department wide procedures, ensuring review and update on a routine cadence. Identifies ways to enhance MHP department staff adherence to protocols and procedures. Serves as an accessibility resource for the MHP department.

15% - Serves as the MHP SharePoint site coordinator. Develops, reviews, and maintains the MHP site pages. Coordinates, reviews, and meets with program staff and leadership to provide consultative services and technical assistance, reconciling issues and ensuring site consistency.

10% - Works on HHSC cross agency projects and other work as assigned. Collaborates with BHS and external partners on a consistent basis to coordinate policy, legislation, and projects and initiatives that may impact the MHP department, supporting HHSC legislative mandates and agency goals and objectives. Provides assistance and consultation to MHP department staff to ensure policies, procedures, and processes are consistent with HHSC guidance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to health and human services, policies, and programs.

Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of public administration and project management techniques, research techniques, training techniques, and statistical analysis processes.

Skill in managing multiple, sometimes conflicting, priorities without jeopardizing deadlines and desired outcomes or milestones.

Skill in reviewing and preparing a variety of written documents with attention to detail and to make recommendations.

Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing for diverse audiences including state officials, legislators, state employees, and the general public.

Skill in leadership, communication, convening groups, and public speaking.

Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.

Skill in the use of computer software, specifically Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams, and Access.

Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, work well with all levels of staff, and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of stakeholders within and outside of the HHS enterprise with diverse needs and priorities.

Ability to develop, implement, interpret, and evaluate agency and program rules, policies, and procedures and train others.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze facts, and devise solutions to issues or concerns.

Ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills, prioritize workload, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Ability to function as a team member.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in public policy, governmental relations, journalism, English, communications, or a related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another. At least two years' experience in developing, monitoring, and/or coordinating communications and/or legislative assignments preferred. At least two years working for a health and human services agency is preferred.

Additional Information:

At the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, telework is a privilege and not a right. Telework is permisable for this position, but is subject to agency or other executive branch directives regarding telework, which may require the position to work from the office on some cadence.

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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.