Policy and Rules Program Specialist VII

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the direction of the Child Care Regulation (CCR) Director for Policy, Rules and Program Support, the Program Specialist VII performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance. This position plans and tracks CCR's efforts to implement legislation, major program initiatives, and other high-priority projects for CCR. Work involves developing project schedules, assigning, monitoring and reporting on the progress of project activities, leading meetings and work groups, identifying and resolving challenges to completing initiatives, responding to inquiries, and training staff. To complete these activities, the Program Specialist VII works with staff from multiple CCR divisions, HHSC departments, and other state agencies. This position will perform additional duties during legislative sessions such as tracking and analyzing legislation, developing agency cost estimates, developing and reporting on the status of implementation plans.The Program Specialist VII works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.The Program Specialist VII will serve as a lead worker, overseeing, prioritizing, and reporting on the work of others. The position will also develop and write rules and policies and procedures.In performing these duties, the position works with all levels of agency staff, staff from other state agencies, internal and external stakeholders, and the general public.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: Project management principles, processes, and techniques; Texas legislative process; Texas rule-making processes; and Systems coordination, especially within government agencies.
• Skill in: Implementing initiatives, complex projects, and legislation; Identifying, researching, analyzing, and solving complex program and policy issues; Setting goals and objectives; Managing multiple, sometimes conflicting, priorities without jeopardizing deadlines or system milestones; Evaluating, developing, and implementing effective and creative solutions to problems and challenges; Effectively convey (orally and in writing) complex information clearly, concisely, and effectively to a variety of audiences; Working with multiple, diverse teams; Leading workgroups, projects, and meetings; and Using the Microsoft Office Suite programs Outlook, Word, and Excel.
• Ability to: Develop creative and workable solutions to complex problems; Lead and manage multiple high-priority projects and ensure each project is completed according to its established deadline; Plan, assign, prioritize, supervise, and review the work of others; Manage multiple responsibilities, make sound decisions under pressure, and to work independently with minimal supervision; Develop project management accountability tools and use project management software; Train others; Prepare briefings, reports, and other communications for a variety of audiences; Interpret and apply federal and state statutes, regulations, agency rules, policies and procedures; Develop and evaluate rules, policies, and procedures; and Work within a team structure and positively adapt to team growth and organizational change.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, plus one year of expereince writing or intrepreting policy and rule.
• Four years of experience writing and implementing state or federal laws or regulations may be substitute for the four-year degree.

Nice To Haves

• Experience implementing policy or rule for a governmental agency is preferred.
• Experience coordinating and facilitating group discussions.
• Experience organizing project information, tracking project progress, writing reports and setting deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Coordinates the planning of projects with senior leadership to implement legislation, major program initiatives, and other high-priority projects for the division that require the coordination of rule development, IT projects, policy and procedure changes, website updates, and communication with staff and providers.
• Leads the progress of multiple initiatives, ensures project management accountability tools and documents are updated to reflect current project status, and attends initiative-related meetings.
• Consults with and provides technical assistance to regional and state office CCR staff, other agency programs, other governmental agencies, and the general community about child care and child care regulation.
• Assists in prioritizing and developing program initiatives and goals for the CCR program.
• Tracks legislation during legislative sessions.
• Analyzes and drafts rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to Child Care Regulation.
• Through continuing education, maintains current knowledge of project management, child development, regulatory practices, health and safety, applicable law and rule, and related fields to support the mission of CCR.

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees