Functional Title: Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VII) Job Title: Program Specialist VII Agency: Health & Human Services Comm Department: Claims Management (50/50) Posting Number: 18411 Closing Date: 07/13/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations Salary Range: $5,797.66- $7,652.91 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 Shift: Day Additional Shift: 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: 701 W 51ST ST Other Locations: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS Brief Job Description: The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) division seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of 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' mission by managing activities that improve Texas Medicaid operations and the stakeholder experience. This position reports to the Associate Commissioner (AC) for Operations Management and performs highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance work. The position serves as the Senior Advisor to the AC and is responsible for executive support, strategic coordination, project management, policy analysis, and other duties as assigned. The Operations Management area oversees the operations and technology for functions that support the Medicaid program such as: provider enrollment, claims and encounters management, service authorization support, and electronic visit verification. This work is performed by both internal staff and outsourced vendors. Operations Management interacts with multiple teams across HHSC, healthcare providers, operations and technology vendors, managed care organizations, professional associations, and numerous other stakeholders. This position supports the AC by managing priority assignments, preparing executive-level materials, advising on emerging issues, and ensuring deliverables meet agency standards. It also serves as a key liaison across MCS, HHSC, and external stakeholders to coordinate complex assignments, represent Operations Management in cross-agency efforts, and support timely decision-making. In addition, the position leads and monitors projects, analyzes legislative and regulatory impacts, identifies policy and operational risks, recommends solutions, and contributes to process improvements and policy development. Essential Job Functions (EJFs): Executive Support (30%): Provides senior-level support to the AC. Manages, organizes, and prioritizes assignments received through the AC's official mailbox. Provides weekly and daily lists to the AC of priority assignments, meetings, and other work to help the AC complete work timely. Prepares executive-level briefings, decision documents, memoranda, legislative responses, formal correspondence, presentations, and talking points. Reviews deliverables submitted to the AC for completeness and conformance with agency standards, and works with staff to ensure documents are ready for AC review and approval. Advises the AC on projects and issues based on emerging trends in public sector policy, technology, and regulatory requirements. Provides consultation and recommendations to division leadership that align with organizational objectives, policies and practices. Acts on behalf of the AC for delegated responsibilities. Strategic Coordination (25%): Serves as a key contact for Operations Management to coordinate across MCS and HHSC. Manages and coordinates assignments that require input from various Operations Management teams. Works closely with other advisors across MCS to coordinate assignments. Serves as a voice of OM to explain functions we handle, understand what projects might impact us, and represent Operations Management in cross department coordination efforts. Ensures assignments are completed timely and accurately with sufficient time for AC review and approval. Represents Operations Management in workgroups, governance forums, and cross-agency discussions related to policy and strategy. Project Management (20%): Manages projects and assignments to ensure timely completion of work impacting the unit. Develops and manages project charters, timelines, resource plans, status reports, and other deliverables. Provides strategic leadership by leading the development of solutions, identifying necessary resources, and driving projects to meet agency objectives. Uses critical thinking to identify solutions to complex issues and drive the implementation of the necessary changes. Keeps sponsors informed of project status, risks and issues. Policy Analysis (15%): Analyzes proposed state and federal legislation and regulations to assess operational, fiscal, and programmatic impacts, and coordinates with other teams to support enterprise analysis. Collects and synthesizes information from multiple sources to analyze policy and operational impacts. Translates complex technical, operational, legislative and legal concepts into clear executive summaries to support recommendations. Identifies policy gaps, risks, and inconsistencies and recommends corrective actions. Other duties as assigned (10%): Identifies and implements process improvements. Develops and implements policies and procedures for the division. Performs other duties as assigned. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of: - HHSC programs, policies, procedures, and organizational structure. - Medicaid and CHIP operations, including key program functions such as provider enrollment, claims and encounters management, service authorization support, and electronic visit verification. - State and federal laws, regulations, and legislative processes affecting Medicaid and CHIP services. - Project management principles, methods, and tools. - Policy development and process improvement principles. Skill in: - Organizing, prioritizing, and tracking high-priority assignments and deliverables. - Communicating and presenting to a variety of audiences and tailoring content based on the audience. - Preparing executive-level briefings, legislative responses, formal correspondence, presentations, and talking points. - Analyzing proposed changes for operational and programmatic impacts. - Synthesizing complex information into clear summaries and recommendations. - Managing projects, assignments, timelines, resource plans, and status reports. - Coordinating complex assignments across teams, divisions, agencies, vendors, and external stakeholders. - Communicating effectively with executive leadership, internal teams, and external partners. - Thinking critically to identify problems, evaluate options, and recommend practical solutions. Ability to: - Support executive leadership with sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism. - Manage multiple competing priorities in a fast-moving and dynamic environment. - Occasionally work flexible hours to meet deadlines. - Lead work and influence outcomes across teams without direct authority. - Serve as a liaison and represent Operations Management in workgroups, governance forums, and cross-agency discussions. - Build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. - Work independently with limited direction while ensuring timely and accurate completion of assignments. - Solve complex problems with limited information or direction. - Anticipate emerging issues, identify policy or operational risks, and recommend corrective actions. - Implement process improvements, policies and procedures. - Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint at an expert level. Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: N/A Initial Screening Criteria: Required: - Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, public policy, business administration, health care administration, social work, communications, or a related field. Relevant work experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis. - Five years' experience developing written materials for leadership or executive review, such as briefings, reports, memoranda, presentations, correspondence, issue summaries, decision documents, or recommendations. - Five years' experience coordinating assignments, projects, or initiatives that require input from multiple teams, departments, programs, vendors, or external stakeholders. - Experience managing competing priorities, tracking deliverables, and meeting deadlines in a fast-paced or complex work environment. - Experience with Medicaid, health care operations, human services programs, or public benefit programs. Preferred: - Experience with state government, legislative analysis, administrative rules, regulatory requirements, or public policy implementation. - Experience supporting executive leadership, senior management, boards, commissions, or other high-level decision-makers. Additional Information: N/A 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.