Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Long-term Services and Supports Special Projects Team Manager

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: Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Long-term Services and Supports Special Projects Team Manager

Job Title: Manager V

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Program Policy Spec A

Posting Number: 19601

Closing Date: 08/14/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel:

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:

MOS Codes: 0203,0207,0302,0520,0602,0802,1802,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,111X,112X,113X,114X,16GX,41AX

611X,612X,631X,632X,641X,648X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,SEI15

Brief Job Description

The Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Long-term Services and Supports (LTSS) Special Projects Team Manager V, under the direction of the Director of Program Policy in the MCS Office of Policy, performs advanced (senior level) managerial work overseeing the daily operations and activities of Medicaid and CHIP program policy work.

This Manager V position leads a team of approximately nine program specialists responsible for highly complex program policy related to topics such as consumer directed services, person-centered planning, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Home and Community-based Services (HCBS) Settings Rule.

The manager:

• Recruits, hires, and trains staff;
• Establishes goals and standards for the team;
• Evaluates staff progress toward meeting goals;
• Identifies problems and develops effective solutions; and
• Regularly interacts and works with internal and external stakeholders.

This position must be able to work under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The manager interacts routinely with executive staff, other HHSC staff, other state agencies, federal partners, managed care organization staff, external stakeholders, and the public. The position may perform additional duties during legislative sessions.

The ideal candidate has excellent writing and interpersonal skills and thrives in a fast-paced 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.

This position will allow for constant learning opportunities and a chance to impact the LTSS provided to individuals receiving Medicaid or CHIP services. The Program Policy unit offers a collaborative and supportive working environment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• 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.
• Plans, assigns, and provides direction to the staff in the unit.
• Provides guidance and oversight for staff activities such as development of complex healthcare policy; implementation of federal and state laws and rules; and creation of decision documents for executive leadership, stakeholder presentations, Texas Administrative Code rule amendments, state plan amendments, contract amendments, reports, requests for proposals, and responses to legislative, provider, and stakeholder requests for information.
• Assists staff with negotiations and problem-solving.
• Reviews and approves staff work products in accordance with MCS policies and procedures.
• Establishes goals and standards for the team and monitors progress for meeting goals and standards. Ensures development and timely submission of program policy deliverables. Oversees the allocation of staff resources to achieve timely program policy outcomes and meet measurable goals; monitors and evaluates the effectiveness and efficiency of staffing levels.
• Manages and hires staff for the unit in accordance with HR policy and MCS policies and procedures. Motivates staff through positive and constructive feedback and identifies and helps plan opportunities for staff professional development. Identifies staff performance issues early and addresses them appropriately with the involvement of the Director.
• Tracks, monitors, and keeps Director informed of team activities, staff workload, and emerging issues requiring escalation. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to the Director to improve operations.
• Represents the agency and Medicaid and CHIP Services department at meetings, conferences, committee meetings, workgroups, panels, stakeholder meetings, legislative hearings, and other forums. Works with and speaks to community, advocacy, and professional groups to coordinate initiatives, improve programs, provide technical assistance, identify needs, and resolve issues.
• Presents complex materials in understandable formats.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• State and federal Medicaid and CHIP or other health care-related laws and regulations
• Project and program management principles and practices
• Principles and practices of public administration and management

Skilled in:

• Analyzing, evaluating, and interpreting complex written material
• Managing multiple, sometimes conflicting, priorities without jeopardizing deadlines or system milestones
• Effective verbal and written communication, including adjusting communications to fit the intended audience
• Establishing and maintaining productive and credible working relationships both internally and externally
• Using Microsoft Office Suite

Ability to:

• Lead development of Medicaid and CHIP Services program policy, contractual requirements, and rules in the Texas Administrative Code
• Plan, assign, prioritize, supervise, and evaluate the work of others
• Hire and train staff
• Identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and devise and implement sound solutions related to complex policy issues
• Take initiative and be resourceful
• Think creatively and support creative thinking in others
• Perform well in a team environment, including working collaboratively to accomplish objectives
• Provide leadership that promotes teamwork and motivates staff
• Produce accurate, high-quality results
• Negotiate with individuals and groups, develop professional networks, and identify the internal and external dynamics that impact the work of the organization
• Work independently with minimal supervision

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university and five years' full-time work experience in the health and human services field. A master's degree may substitute for up to two years of work experience.

Supervisory experience, team lead experience, or experience in a role such as a senior advisor.

Experience in Medicaid and CHIP Services, including LTSS.

Five years full-time experience performing consultative, supervisory, managerial, professional, or technical work during which the applicant regularly analyzed work problems from an administrative aspect and interpreted complex written material.

Preferred criteria:

Master's degree in public health, social work, public affairs, or public administration.

Additional Information:

Additional information about the programs this position supports can be found in the 2024 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book https://www.hhs.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/texas-medicaid-chip-reference-guide-15th-edition.pdf.

HHSC is a qualifying organization for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments.

Additional benefits of joining the MCS Office of Policy include:

• Leadership commitment to invest in and foster your professional growth and career advancement.
• Being part of a team that impacts the lives of millions of Texans that depend on Texas Medicaid throughout Texas.
• Being on the ground level of healthcare policy development and 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.
• 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.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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 Auditors 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.