Legislative and Policy Coordinator

Date:
Mar 10, 2026

Location:

Austin, TX

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.

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. Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional

Title:

Legislative and Policy Coordinator

Job Title: Program Specialist VI

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Chief State Epidemiologist

Posting Number: 14712

Closing Date: 04/09/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,383.30

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Shift: Day

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Job Location City: Austin

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)

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

Performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative services and technical assistance work for the daily operations of the Chief State Epidemiology (CSE) Division under the general direction of the Chief State Epidemiologist. Works with considerable latitude using both initiative and independent judgment to facilitate the coordination and completion of legislative assignments including bill analyses, inquiries, agency cost estimates, legislatively mandated reports, bill implementation, etc.,

working in conjunction with CSE Sections. Provides oversight for rule and policy development. Assists with preparing for and coordinating Division advisory committee meetings. Performs high-level document review, assuring materials are accurate, clear, concise, easily understood by their target audience, and submitted on time. Prepares documents, papers, briefings, and presentations for CSE leadership.

This position is not eligible for teleworking.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(40%) Coordinates CSE Division activities related to legislative and appropriations issues. Coordinates with Sections and Government Affairs on legislative analysis, tracking, and activities for the Division. Works with Sections to develop bill analyses and cost estimates, revise legislation, implement bills, and to monitor compliance with legislative mandates. Outlines bill implementation requirements, establishes timelines, and coordinates with Sections and other requisite DSHS or Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) areas to assure all deliverables are completed on time.

Communicates with department staff, stakeholders, legislators, advocates, and others on legislation affecting the Division programs. Participates directly in activities related to appropriations issues, exceptional items, public hearings, rule making associated with key legislation, operational plans, interim studies or agency work groups, and outreach activities designed to improve the overall relationship between CSE/DSHS and legislative leadership. Oversees development, review, and submission of all CSE rules and reports.

Coordinates efforts to ensure that CSE leadership is aware of all upcoming CSE, DSHS, and HHS policy changes and has the opportunity to provide feedback. Monitors legislatively mandated report submission deadlines and coordinates timely review and submission to internal and external stakeholders.

(40%) Performs high-level document review, assuring materials are accurate, clear, concise, easily understood by their target audience, and submitted on time. Makes data and information available to decision makers to assist them with policy decisions and resource allocations. In conjunction with Division and Section subject matter experts, prepares related presentations for use by DSHS Senior Management. Oversees and tracks memoranda, correspondence, assignments, productivity reports, and studies (compliance/response to House/Senate Bills, Riders, legislative and public inquiries, etc.)

within the Division and Government Affairs Unit. Assists CSE to prepare for and conduct advisory committee meetings, including the Task Force on Infectious Disease Preparedness and Response and the Health Professions Workforce Coordinating Council. Ensures public webpages for CSE advisory committees and all documents related to these efforts are updated and posted accordingly.

(15%) Monitors state and federal public health developments and findings through research and review of major publications to assist in…