STAR Health Policy Lead

Department of Public Safety•Austin, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of STAR Health Policy Lead (Program Specialist VI). MCS is driving by its mission to delivering quality, cost-effective services to Texans. This position makes a significant contribution to MCS’s mission by performing highly advanced, consultative and technical work related to the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance related to the STAR Health program. STAR Health is a Medicaid program operated in partnership with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and serves children and youth in DFPS conservatorship; children and youth receiving Adoption Assistance or Permanency Care Assistance; young adults in extended foster care; and former foster care children. The position provides subject matter expertise to agency staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, provider organizations, advisory committees, and the general public related to Medicaid services provided to a highly visible population. The ideal candidate thrives 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. The position is not supervisory but may assign, oversee, and prioritize work of others. The position interacts routinely with MCS leadership, DFPS staff, other state agencies, managed care organizations, and advocacy groups. The position will work under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of: Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations; Texas child welfare system; Legislative process; Government organization and administration; and MCS and HHSC processes related to the administration or provision of Medicaid and CHIP benefits.
Skill in: Analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation, program policy, and operations issues; Communicating effectively orally and in writing. Policy research and analysis; Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information and translating it into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations; Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues; Facilitating stakeholder and different workgroup meetings; and Navigating complex and dynamic systems and organizations; and Project management.
Ability to: Lead or contribute to complex projects that require dynamic thinking, persistence, analytical problem solving. Work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment; Negotiate multiple parties and resolve conflicts; Establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of personnel in government entities; Exercise judgement and work independently with minimum supervision; Use work-processing and spreadsheet applications; and Exercise sound judgment with limited data and work independently with limited direction in a leadership role.
Candidates must meet one of the following: 1) Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and at least two years' full-time work experience in a health and human services field; 2) Master’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least one year of full-time work experience in a health and human services field; or 3) High school diploma and at least five years’ full-time work experience in a health and human services field.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or master’s degree with major coursework in public health, public affairs, public administration, or social work.
Work experience in Medicaid or CHIP Services or child welfare system.
Experience with developing or overseeing advanced (senior-level) deliverables, reports, or other technical writing work products.
Experience with training, leading, assigning and/or prioritizing the work of others within a managerial or team lead role responsibilities.

Responsibilities

Leads implementation and ongoing management of complex Medicaid program initiatives
Oversees the development of Medicaid program policy, including contract, administrative rule, manual, and procedural requirements
Identifies and propose solutions to program needs
Assists in ensuring compliance with Medicaid statutes, rules, program policy, and contract requirements
Facilitates meetings with stakeholders, including staff from other government agencies, managed care organizations, provider associations, people receiving services, and advisory committee members
Prepares high quality written reports, legislative reports, correspondence, and other documents
Develops and provides training
Analyzes program policies and legislation
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.
Works collaboratively across MCS to identify innovative and effective solutions for individuals receiving services and staff. (25%)
Leads and coordinates work with internal and external stakeholders to develop and oversee programs and services for persons enrolled in Texas Medicaid. Manages, participates, or leads workgroups and meetings. (20%)
Leads the analysis and implementation of federal and state legislation, federal and state rules, and complex program policies related to Texas Medicaid. (20%)
Develops high quality written documents, including program and project updates and summaries, executive memos, presentations, legislative reports, contract requirements, rules, waivers, and state plan amendments. (20%)
Researches and responds to internal and external stakeholder inquiries. (10%)
Develops, manages, and evaluates projects and special initiatives related to Texas Medicaid. (5%)
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
A defined benefit pension plan
Generous time off benefits
Numerous opportunities for career advancement
Qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth or knowledge of the Texas Medicaid program and your career advancement.
Having a profound impact to the lives of thousands of Medicaid clients that depend on Medicaid services throughout Texas.
Being on the ground level of healthcare policy implementation, including the opportunity to work closely with stakeholders such as federal partners, providers, advocates, managed care organizations, and other healthcare contractors.
Engagement with the Texas legislative process, including the opportunity to analyze and inform legislators of potential impact of proposed bills.
Being part of a team at the forefront of interpreting, implementing, and developing policy that has statewide impact.
The opportunity to learn and engage with multiple domains of the healthcare delivery system, including managed care, fee-for-service, federal/state Medicaid partnerships and other activities related to the administration of the Medicaid program.