Governance and Public Relations Specialist Job at Texas Health and Human Service

Governance and Public Relations Specialist

Join to apply for the Governance and Public Relations Specialist role at Texas Health and Human Services (HHSC).

Location: Austin, TX. Date posted: Oct 29, 2025. Closing Date: Nov 12, 2025.

Job Title: Government Relations Specialist III

Agency: Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC)

Department: Texas Pharmaceutical Initiative (TPI)

Pay: $7,015.16 - $10,083.00 per month, monthly payment

Shift: Day; Telework: Eligible; Travel: Up to 20%.

Benefits: 100% paid employee health insurance for full‑time eligible employees, defined benefit pension plan, generous time‑off benefits, and multiple opportunities for career advancement.

Brief Job Description

The Government Relations Specialist III reports to the TPI Chief Legal Counsel and Senior Advisor and supports the Board, Executive Leadership, and other staff of TPI. Key functions include legislative tracking, stakeholder outreach, media and communications coordination, and high‑level policy analysis related to Texas public health and pharmaceutical issues.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

• Initiate, create, and complete communications—both oral and written—to support TPI’s mission, including board meetings, member briefings, legislative matters, and stakeholder outreach.
• Coordinate communications, scheduling, and logistics with legislative and executive branch offices; prepare materials for hearings and member meetings.
• Establish, manage, and utilize a tracking and knowledge‑base system for legislation and other public policy matters.
• Serve on teams supporting TPI Board Management and Governance, advisory committees, and state agency partner meetings, performing tasks related to meeting facilitation and follow‑up.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• State legislative procedures, government operations, and public policy.
• Pharmaceutical manufacturing, distribution, value and supply chain, dispensing, and pharmacy benefits management.
• Public health systems, especially those related to higher education, employee, and retirement health care programs in Texas.
• Government relations practices, including working with legislative members and committees.
• Strong project management; verbal and written communication; analysis of legislative documents; public affairs strategies; preparation and editing of correspondence, reports, and presentations.

Qualifications

• Five years of professional experience required.
• Preferred experience: Attorney, paralegal, legislative staff, journalism, or legislative librarian.
• Five years of Texas legislative staff experience focused on health care, or three years on staff at the Legislative Budget Board or Legislative Reference Library.
• Graduation from a four‑year college or university with coursework in political science, government, public administration, or a related field preferred.
• A law degree or graduate degree may substitute for professional experience as specified.

Required Assessment

• Submit writing and document samples (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Complete an in‑basket writing assessment.