Legislative Affairs Liaison

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Austin, TX

2d•$5,798 - $7,653•Hybrid

About The Position

The Legislative Affairs Liaison (Program Specialist VII) provides highly advanced consultative services and technical assistance for the Strategy, Policy & Communications office within the Health and Specialty Care System (HSCS) division. The role streamlines legislative and communication systems and processes, supports process improvement and best practices, and works with considerable latitude and independent judgment under minimal supervision. Under the guidance of the HSCS Legislative Director, the liaison helps develop and implement guidelines and procedures for legislative analyses and assignments, interprets policies and standards related to HSCS programs, and coordinates the tracking and development of legislative reports and implementation plans. The position uses project management practices to organize assignments and ensure their timely completion. It prepares and maintains documents, briefings, reports, and other materials; monitors local, state, and federal policy and stakeholder recommendations; and coordinates legislative work with Government and Stakeholder Relations and other division areas. The liaison supports state hospitals, state supported living centers, business operations, and the Office of Forensic Services and Coordination, may represent the division on workgroups and committees, and serves as a backup for the HSCS Legislative Director. The position may require after-hours work during the legislative session and requires a regular, predictable work schedule in a fast-paced environment with conflicting deadlines.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in public health, psychology/sociology, social work, public affairs, or a related field, or at least four years of experience; education and experience may be substituted for one another.
Knowledge of program and policy planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of informational research techniques and applications.
Knowledge of the Texas legislative and appropriations process.
Knowledge of federal and state health and human services legislation and the organization of federal, state, and local health programs.
Knowledge of major functions of mental health and intellectual and developmental disabilities initiatives and policy development.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and data and devise solutions to operational problems.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to analyze, develop, and evaluate policies, procedures, and reports.
Ability to manage varied tasks in a fast-paced environment with conflicting deadlines while meeting desired outcomes and milestones.
Ability to analyze proposed legislation and its policy and fiscal impact on programs.
Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, assign, and monitor completion of assignments.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely, and effectively, verbally and in writing, to varied audiences.
Ability to take initiative and think critically to improve processes and efficiency.
Skill in reviewing and preparing written documents with attention to detail.
Skill in using a computer for word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Skill in conducting and facilitating meetings.
Skill in project management, strategic planning, and goal setting.
Skill in identifying program-performance measures or indicators and conducting qualitative and quantitative analysis.
Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with conflicting deadlines and attend work on a regular, predictable schedule.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree or another advanced degree.
Experience working in a state supported living center or state hospital.
Experience working in state, local, or federal government offices.
Knowledge of state supported living centers, state hospitals, forensic mental health or intellectual and developmental disabilities, or business components such as information technology.

Responsibilities

Research, plan, develop, and implement division initiatives, pilots, business plan outcomes, and legislative implementation efforts; provide consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, and community organizations.
Identify potential bills, maintain the bill-tracking system, analyze bills, assist with staff updates, monitor assigned hearings, and provide updates after hearings.
Research local, state, and federal laws that may need to change in response to exceptional items or statutory initiatives.
Complete and monitor required administrative and performance reports and recommend changes.
Collaborate with division program areas and other divisions on projects, identify improvement opportunities, and recommend solutions.
Assist in developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals, and plan program activities in accordance with objectives and goals.
Coordinate the tracking and development of legislative reports and implementation plans and ensure assignments and reports are completed on time.
Prepare and maintain documents, papers, briefings, and other written materials; review and edit materials, reports, rule projects, and agency memoranda as needed.
Interpret policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to HSCS programs, and implement guidelines and procedures for legislative and communications assignments.
Monitor local, state, and federal policy, as well as internal and external stakeholder recommendations and testimony.
Coordinate legislative work with Government and Stakeholder Relations and other appropriate areas.
Carry out special projects assigned by the HSCS Legislative Director and potentially represent the division on ad hoc workgroups and committees.
Serve as a backup for the HSCS Legislative Director and assist with division-wide events as assigned.
Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule and perform other duties as assigned.