Strategic and Legislative Projects Manager

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

1d • $6,378 - $10,786 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals. The Strategic and Legislative Projects Manager performs advanced (senior-level) project management work. Work involves coordinating the planning and initiation of diverse projects at various levels of completion; monitoring the progress and schedule of projects; communicating with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties. Duties also include serving as the legislative coordinator for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Division including but not limited to coordinating bill and cost analysis and managing legislative implementation, and leading special projects. May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Five years’ full-time experience managing legislative, policy, or regulatory projects, work which must include: Analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex material; and Planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, Engaging with internal and external stakeholders, Interpretation of complex written material or analysis in state, federal agency or local government.
• Two years’ experience preparing reports, briefings, or presentations for executives or government officials.
• Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated via the application and resume.

Nice To Haves

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is preferred.
• Experience in legislative coordination and implementation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Directs, develops, and evaluates projects using accepted project management methodologies.
• Provides leadership and expertise which includes but is not limited to the full spectrum of industry-accepted principles of project management including initiation, planning, execution, control, and closing assigned projects.
• May oversee multiple projects concurrently.
• Initiates multi-agency or enterprise-level projects, obtains authorization and commitment, demonstrating business need and project feasibility.
• Evaluates and initiates department, division, and agency-wide project deliverables, assignments, and program support initiatives through coordination with Executive level staff and Directors, multi-agency staff, and stakeholders.
• Coordinates project activities with other state agencies, governmental jurisdictions, or private sector partners and contractors.
• Develops criteria for evaluating programs, proposals, and other pertinent information related to project assignments.
• Analyzes needs based on legislation, best practices, performance needs and current program policies and procedures.
• Develops project budgets, schedules, work plans, resources requirements, cost estimates and projections.
• Serves as the legislative liaison at the division level coordinating legislative responsibilities within the COO and other divisions to include, but not limited to; development of exceptional items, assigning bills for analysis, setting expectations and timeframes, developing cost estimate criteria and processes, implementation planning, coordination, and tracking.
• Develops and implements plans to communicate project methodology and processes to interested groups and team members.
• Facilitates, participates, and makes presentations in department, division, agency, and multiple agency meetings.
• Oversees and is responsible for final reporting requirements for related projects.
• May testify before legislative and interested groups on project status and other issues of public interest.
• Monitors and manages project quality and cost to ensure that project deliverables are acceptable, fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications, and are completed within budget.
• Adjust schedules and targets on projects as needs or financing changes.
• Oversees tracking, reporting, and analysis of required performance targets.
• Identifies potential project risks and designs strategies for mitigation and avoidance.
• Identifies and researches barriers.
• Analyzes trends and works with the COO directors, managers, and customers, to achieve and maintain high levels of customer service.
• Advises leadership on the impact of legislation, tracks, and advocates for division resource needs.
• Compiles and distributes project information, project status reports, and project budget expenditures.
• Prepares and presents executive level reports and reference materials.
• Creates documentation procedures to capture and manage original project plans.
• Compiles and evaluates data for the development and/or review of reports.
• May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior