Deputy Director, Government Affairs

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits:

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

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Functional Title: Deputy Director, Government Affairs 
Job Title: Government Relations Spec III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Government Affairs 
Posting Number: 22804 
Closing Date: 04/27/2027 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Range: $7,500.00 - $8,750.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
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: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 0570,0571,4502,4505,8018,8221,8222,8223,8224,8225,8226,8227,8228,8231,8232,8233,8234,8235,8236,8237 
8238,8240,8241,8242,8243,8244,8245,14FX,165X,16FX,16PX,171X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,48B,48E,48G,48J 
48P,48X,INF,MC,PA,SEI13,SEI14,SEI15 
 

Brief Job Description:

• Provide advanced (senior level) legislative and consultation services for the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Government Affairs (GA) team within the Office of Chief of Staff.
  
• Report to the GA director and serve in a leadership capacity within the GA team.
• Assist the GA Director in representing Government Affairs and DSHS during external and internal meetings with legislative audiences and support agency witnesses during legislative hearings and meetings.
  
• Assist the GA director in establishing and implementing short- and long-term strategies, goals, and review processes related to bill analyses, implementation, legislatively mandated reports, training, and other functions.
  
• Provide advanced knowledge and analyses of state legislative issues and actions for the GA and CER directors, the Commissioner, and other executive and senior level staff.
• Provide direction on behalf of the director to GA and staff across the agency to facilitate written and verbal communications with the agency, state leadership, and members of the Legislature.
  
• Coordinate GA team and serve as lead staff in tracking legislatively mandated reports and bill analysis assignments.
  
• Assist the GA director in ensuring quality control/assurance for reports and related work products.
  
• Coordinate responses to inquiries regarding policy.
  
• Perform constituent casework pertaining to public health issues.
  
• Work under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Monitors legislative issues and the status of legislation impacting DSHS. Attends legislative hearings and meetings. Identifies areas of concern and works with the director and senior staff to prepare and implement plans to address those areas. Develops summaries for executive and senior staff and provides legislative follow-up, as necessary. Prepares bill summaries, bill analyses, or other written information related to filed bills. Provides consultation and advice to the GA team on behalf of the director. 15%.
• Develops and consults on preparation of responses to inquiries from legislators regarding DSHS programs and public health policy. Prepares verbal and written responses using information gathered across various parts of the agency. Assures that responses are appropriate, accurate, and timely. Reviews and edits testimony for agency staff appearing before legislative committees. Provides consultation to GA team members on behalf of the director. 15%.
• Leads the agency’s legislative bill assignment and analysis tracking system. Provides training to others in using the tracking system and serves as lead staff in related bill analysis training. In collaboration with the GA Director, assigns bill analyses to divisions for assignments, and provides oversight of quality assurance of bill analyses to ensure coordination with agency cost estimates. 15%.
• Leads the agency's bill implementation process. In collaboration with the GA Director, assigns bill implementation assignments using the tracking system, and leads the GA unit in collaborating with agency divisions during implementation process, including tracking the status of implementation. Elevates items of concern as they develop and recommends solutions. Advises staff in development of implementation plans and monitors progress. Prepares periodic updates for the GA and CER directors, executive leadership, and interested legislators. 15%.
• Oversees legislatively mandated report process within the Government Affairs (GA) Unit. Tracks the status of reports, coordinates quality assurance and training within the unit, and provides detailed review of reports and related work products prior to executive level approval process. 15%.
• Represents the director and/or agency at internal, external, legislative and non-legislative meetings. Provide guidance to advisory boards and committees associated with DSHS.
  10%.
• Applies expertise on public health laws, rules, programs, and issues to inform communication for legislative offices and legislative stakeholders. Works closely with programmatic experts and senior staff, craft various documents including reports, presentations, talking points, briefing documents, memorandums, and letters. Provides consultative services, research, and analysis to the director and senior staff in the development and policy analysis of public health issues. Completes special projects and policy research to ensure DSHS programmatic activities align with legislative direction. 10%
• Other duties as assigned (marginal functions). 5%.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• The Texas legislative process.

Skill in:

• Using independent judgement and effecting speedy analysis to provide recommendations.
• Breaking down complex information for a variety of audiences.
• Building consensus and buy in among individuals through relationship building and sound reasoning.
• Organization and problem solving.
• Providing customer service to legislative offices and the public.
• Using the Internet for research and other work-related activities.
• Preparing, reviewing and editing correspondence, reports, presentations and other assigned documents.

Ability to:

• Demonstrate a teamwork mentality and ability to contribute to a positive working environment.
• Effectively communicate positive and negative information to a variety of audiences with the best outcomes for all parties.
• Synthesize and analyze complex data and information from multiple sources.
• Manage stress and competing priorities in a rapid moving and changing environment.
• Use standard computer software, including Microsoft Office and the Internet.
• Devise solutions to administrative problems.
• Develop and evaluate administrative procedures.
• Analyze legislation, including fiscal impact.
• Conduct policy analysis and research.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Work independently and accept responsibility.
• Make sound judgments in reporting and interpreting data and information.
• Negotiate and interact effectively with a variety of personality types.
• Delegate and track the completion of assignments.
• Work evening, night and/or weekends during the legislative session.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and editing correspondence, reports, presentations, and other assigned documents.
• Experience working with or for members of the Texas Legislature, including analysis of legislation.
  
• Extensive experience with Texas legislative processes.

Note: Experience and education may be substituted for one another. 

Additional Information:

During the legislative session, position requires periodic evening and weekend work.

If selected for an interview, candidate must provide two writing samples of at least 750 words (no more than 3-4 pages) that would demonstrate your analytical writing skills. This may be a document produced as part of a recent work experience, and should demonstrate your proficiency in analyzing subject matter and conveying that information in writing. 

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 for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.

ADA Accommodations:

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form