STAR Kids Policy Analyst

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: STAR Kids Policy Analyst

Job Title: Program Specialist V

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: Program Policy Spec A

Posting Number: 17902

Closing Date: 07/01/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel:

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 701 W 51ST ST

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Program Specialist V who will serve as the STAR Kids Policy Analyst on the STAR Kids program. STAR Kids is the Medicaid managed care program for children up to 20 years old with disabilities. The STAR Kids program integrates acute care and long-term services and supports (LTSS) delivered by a managed care organization (MCO).

The STAR Kids Policy Analyst (PSV) performs advanced consultative and technical work related to the planning, development, implementation, and maintenance of the STAR Kids program. The Policy Analyst's primary responsibilities include:

• Coordinates and collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to develop policy;
• oversees the development of operational policy, including contract, administrative rule, manual, and procedural requirements;
• Assists in ensuring compliance and resolution of reported issues affecting STAR Kids members;
• Participates in and helps to facilitate meetings with stakeholders, including managed care organizations, provider associations, people receiving services, and advisory committee members; and
• Ensures policy and guidance documents are up-to-date; prepares high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents.

The Policy Analyst works under the general direction of the Program Policy Manager, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJF):

(35%) Coordinates with other areas of MCS and HHSC to plan, develop, implement, monitor, interpret and evaluate Medicaid programs, policies, MCO contract requirements, business rules, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan. Evaluates MCO compliance with program policies and procedures, contract requirements, statutes, and rules and takes corrective action if needed.

(35%) Plans, monitors, and evaluates MCS implementation of state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules. Analyzes state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules to evaluate its impact to MCS and stakeholders, including MCOs, service providers, and members.

(20%) Prepares high quality written documents such as project updates, reports, PowerPoint presentations, communications to stakeholders and contractors, executive memos, policy and project summaries, legislative reports, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan amendments.

(7%) Establishes, facilitates, and participates in relevant workgroups and committees, including inter-agency workgroups and committees. Coordinates and provides requested training to internal staff and external entities.

(3%) Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations;
• Government organization and administration;
• Program issues related to Medicaid services for children with disabilities;
• Principles of health and human services policy and planning; and
• State of Texas legislative processes.

Skills in:

• Analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation, program, policy, and operations issues;
• Project management, program management, or policy analysis;
• Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information and translating it easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations for agency execution, elected officials, and the public; and
• Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues; and Facilitating stakeholder and different workgroup meetings.

Ability to:

• Develop, amend, and interpret program policies, rules, and contract requirements related to Medicaid and CHIP Services;
• Research, gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and devise solutions based on the information available;
• Work with a team under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with stakeholders that have a variety of opinions;
• Manage a heavy workload under pressure, exercise judgment, and work independently with minimum supervision;
• Learn quickly and work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment;
• Use Microsoft Office Suite applications such as Outlook, Teams, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; and
• Communicating complex concepts effectively orally and in writing, including the ability to adjust communications to fit the intended audience.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

High school diploma or equivalent and at least three years of full-time work experience in the health and human services field.

Additional Information:

Additional information about the STAR Kids program can be found in the 2024 edition of the Texas Medicaid Pink Book.

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 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 Texas Medicaid 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 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.

The final salary offer is dependent on factors such as Human Resources policies and available budget.

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.