Senior Advisor

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. 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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Senior Advisor 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: UR Management Support 
Posting Number: 18138 
Closing Date: 07/07/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: None 
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: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

This position is located in the Austin area, and applicants must live in the Austin area.

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Department seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VI). This position is hired by and reports to the Director of Communications and Planning in the Utilization Review (UR) Department. This position makes a significant contribution to UR’s mission by performing highly advanced, senior-level consultative and technical assistance work related to policies and projects for Medicaid and CHIP.

Duties include oversight of UR’s process document repository; planning, prioritizing, coordinating, and implementing policy analysis and program management activities with other UR and agency staff; collaborating with internal and external stakeholders; coordinating and leading special projects; and serving as UR liaison to pertinent agency workgroups. This position will lead the department bill analysis process during the legislative session.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment that emphasizes; excellence through high professional standards and personal accountability; self-motivation and initiative; curiosity to continuously grow and learn; critical thinking for effective execution; teamwork to achieve goals; and personal and professional integrity.

The Communications and Planning team prioritizes an environment of creativity and positivity by taking ownership of our words, actions and behaviors and how they impact the people we work with. We take responsibility for our mindset, behavior, attitude, choice of words and how we impact other people on the team. This position is currently eligible for some telework.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Provides highly advanced (senior-level) research, analysis, evaluation, and technical assistance work for UR. Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports. Develops, implements, and manages complex projects related to UR policy and processes. Leads the department’s bill analysis process during the legislative session. (30%)

Provides advanced research on highly complex topics, assessment, analysis, and evaluation of regulations and communications, professional literature, and other publications to make recommendations. Develops proposals necessary to support department activities. Prepares high quality written project reports, updates, summaries, and other documents as assigned or as needed. (30%)

Facilitates and participates in a variety of meetings including strategic planning, project planning, interdepartmental or interagency workgroup meetings, setting goals and objectives and providing work products. Plans for effective and efficient meetings to prioritize decisions and results and develops and maintains complete meeting documentation. Uses strong oral and written communication skills to work with various departments, agencies, staff persons, clients and providers. (30%)

Performs other duties as assigned and required to meet the mission and goals of MCS. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of the legislative process, health care programs, and policies.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the Medicaid and CHIP programs.
Knowledge of government organization and administration.

Skill in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, write technical information in an understandable format, and produce sophisticated research reports.
Skill in planning and organizing.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to provide technical assistance in preparing/editing reports; to communicate effectively; to make executive-level assignments.
Ability to interpret legal documents such as contracts and legislation.
Ability to perform work with a high degree of attention to detail.
Ability to problem-solve.
Ability to identify issues that present a potential risk to the Medicaid program, MCS or agency, including identifying political impacts.
Ability to work collaboratively with multi-levels of staff persons, and both internal and external agencies.
Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-orientated environment.
Ability to work independently and operate effectively within established guidelines and timeframes.
Ability to balance team and individual responsibilities.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the position is preferred. At least two years’ experience with the Texas legislative process. Experience researching and analyzing complex policy issues and legislation. Experience interacting with internal and external stakeholders. Experience with SharePoint and other Microsoft programs, including Teams, Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Information:

This position is eligible for telework but does require in-person presence at the Austin office on a weekly basis.

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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.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.

Pre-Employment Checks and Work Eligibility:

Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.

HHSC uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 Form

Telework Disclaimer:

This position may be eligible for telework.  Please note, all HHS positions are subject to state and agency telework policies in addition to the discretion of the direct supervisor and business needs.