Stakeholder Engagement Specialist

Date: Dec 16, 2024

Location: AUSTIN, TX

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.

Brief Job Description:

The Stakeholder Engagement Specialist reports to the Director of Stakeholder Engagement and Strategic Planning in the Office of Mental Health Coordination (OMHC) in the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Department. The BHS Department mission is to promote a coordinated mental health and substance use continuum of care that empowers the people and families we serve. OMHC supports this mission through local, state, and federal partnerships to develop and implement behavioral health policies that inform the implementation and efficacy of behavioral health services.

The Stakeholder Engagement Specialist (Program Specialist VI) is responsible for helping OMHC develop and maintain internal and external relationships with stakeholders and organize and facilitate advisory committee meetings, work groups, and focus groups to obtain input from stakeholders regarding BHS Department initiatives. These job duties are more thoroughly captured in the essential job functions below.

If you thrive in dynamic work settings, a hybrid (a mix of in-office and home-based work) work environment, and are excited about contributing to our mission, come join OMHC.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Research and Consultation (35 percent)

Maintains current knowledge of BHS programs and services by reviewing literature, including the Texas Administrative Code, Texas statutes, federal regulations, and information on various HHSC websites including MentalHealthTX.org; attending HHSC and stakeholder-sponsored meetings; intentionally communicating with other professionals in OMHC, BHS, HHSC, and the Health and Human Services system; and conducting research. Other duties include the following:

• Researching and responding to internal and external stakeholder inquiries accurately and efficiently.

• Serving as a subject matter expert on assigned BHS initiatives.

• Providing policy and rule interpretation and other complex, high-level technical assistance to internal and external stakeholders through written and verbal communications and presentations to increase stakeholder understanding of state and federal policies and agency procedures and requirements.

• Leading and coordinating the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports within required deadlines.

• Completing and monitoring required administrative and performance reports, studies, evaluations, and specialized projects, and making recommendations to BHS Department leadership and staff.

Legislative Support Activities (20 percent)

• Analyzes the impact of proposed state and federal laws in relation to HHSC and implementation requirements and internal and external stakeholders.
• Identifies and communicates to stakeholder’s agency implementation needs for proposed recommendations made to HHSC.
• Assists in responding to legislative and other external inquiries and requests.
• Plans, prioritizes, and leads policy and rule development activities to implement enacted legislation by conducting research and collaborating and coordinating with internal and external stakeholders through written and verbal communications.
• Tracks, monitors, and reports the status of legislative implementation activities to internal and external stakeholders.

Team and Relationship Building (15 percent)

• Manages time and tasks effectively, amidst competing and ever-changing priorities, making sure to meet program needs and deadlines.
• Fosters positive relationships between the BHS Department and key agency stakeholders.
• Helps the Director of SE+SP and the OMHC Associate Commissioner formulate and execute strategic initiatives to gather input from internal and external stakeholders regarding programs and services.
• Clearly, effectively, and professionally communicates project statuses, needs, decisions, delays, and reasons for delays to the Director of SE+SP, OMHC team members, and other internal and external stakeholders as needed.
• Contributes to process improvement activities (including internal process documents, conversations, and decisions) to help ensure quality, efficiency, consistency, and accountability for all work products.
• Contributes to a culture of openness, innovation, excellence, positivity, and growth within the team.

• Performs related work as assigned and attends work on a regular and predictable schedule.

Performs other duties as assigned. (5 percent)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of principles of health and human services policy and planning.

Knowledge of public administration and management techniques.

Skill in facilitating and conducting high-level meetings, evaluating and interpreting data, project management, and Microsoft Office Suite/other position-related applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, etc.).

Skill in conducting and facilitating meetings.
Skills in project management.

Skills in interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various level personnel in governmental entities.

Skills in communicating effectively both orally and in writing.

Ability to independently conduct research to determine solutions to complicated issues, interpret and apply agency policy, develop, and implement agency-wide programs and initiatives.
Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, assign and monitor completion of assignments.
Ability to verbally communicate complex information to a variety of audiences.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely and effectively in writing.
Ability to exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision.
Ability to lead and work cooperatively in a team environment.
Ability to use Microsoft Office products.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in communicating with diverse groups of people. Experience in planning, prioritizing sheduling, and monitoring assignments.

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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