Senior Policy Advisor

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Functional Title: Senior Policy Advisor 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm 
Department: Healthcare Transformation Wvr 
Posting Number: 10596 
Closing Date: 11/07/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Salary Range: $5, $9,508.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
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: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 

Brief Job Description:

The Delivery System Quality & Innovation (DSQI) Unit within the Medicaid CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Quality and Program Improvement (Q&PI) seeks a highly qualified candidate to fill the position of Program Specialist VII Senior Policy Advisor. The mission of DSQI is to incentivize, innovate, and educate to improve health care quality. The DSQI Unit develops and implements innovative quality improvement programs and incentives, provides education and technical assistance to increase the adoption of best practices, and evaluates the effectiveness of quality programs and interventions.

The PSVII Senior Policy Advisor is selected by and directly reports to the Manager V in the DSQI Unit. This position works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Senior Policy Advisor will lead the quality measures reporting, review, and technical assistance for directed payment programs (DPPs), develop and implement project management processes, and serve as a subject matter expert on quality measures and key program requirements. The Senior Policy Advisor may author reports and briefing documents, as well as present at meetings with agency leadership and stakeholders.

The ideal candidate thrives in an 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.

The DSQI team currently leads multiple high profile quality improvement initiatives that are critical to the Medicaid program in Texas, such as the quality aspects of Medicaid DPPs and provider education to improve healthcare outcomes, such as reducing unnecessary emergency department utilization.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Oversees and evaluates quality measures for state directed payment programs and develops strategies for implementation and reporting to advance Medicaid quality goals. Leads and trains others to provide high-level technical assistance and guidance to program participants regarding quality measures. Collaborates with Q&PI team members to develop innovative, evidence-based policies or programs to drive quality improvement and delivery system reforms. May serve as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives. (30%)

Plans and develops policies, resources, timelines, and detailed work plans for reporting and reviewing quality measures. Analyzes data and processes to make data-driven recommendations for continuous enhancement. Ensures compliance with approved program policies, procedures, quality rules, and state and federal regulations. Collaborates with DSQI team members to ensure accurate and timely reporting. (25%)

Prepares and approves high quality written documents, including policies, rules, project updates, legislative reports, memos for leadership, guidance documents, presentations, summaries, and other documents relating to quality improvement and innovation. (20%) 

Works with and presents to internal and external stakeholders to develop and implement quality programs, identify and address technical assistance priorities, and communicate program progress and outcomes. (15%)

Trains, leads, assigns, and/or prioritizes the work of others (internal and external) for activities related to quality reporting and review. (10%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of federal and state Medicaid and CHIP programs, services, and requirements.
• Knowledge of healthcare quality measurement and common data sources for quality measurement.
• Familiarity with key concepts of delivery system reform, healthcare innovation, or population health.
• Skill in analyzing healthcare programs, policies, quality measures, and operations issues to develop options and make recommendations.
• Skill in researching, synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating complicated and technical information and translating it into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations.
• Skill in facilitating stakeholder groups to identify needs of program participants and build consensus for policy and program improvements.
• Skill in project management.
• Skill in designing and using software such as Excel or other tools for data management and analysis.
• Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues.
• A keen attention to detail.
• Ability to exercise judgment and work independently with minimum supervision.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and work cooperatively in a team environment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Work experience in a field related to healthcare quality, policy analysis, data analysis, or research. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field related to healthcare quality, policy, research, or project management. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year to year basis.

Master's degree with course work in a field relevant to healthcare, human services, public health, social work, policy development, research or evaluation, or another related field is preferred.

Additional Information:

This position will require in-person attendance.

An in-basket exercise will be administered. The posted salary range extends from the minimum to the maximum of the range. Any offer is contingent on available funding, the applicant's qualifications, as well as the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual Chapter 7.

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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 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.