STAR Kids Policy Analyst

Date:
Jun 17, 2026

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.

Functional

Title:

STAR Kids Policy Analyst
Job Title: Program Specialist V
Agency: Health & Human Services Comm
Department: Program Policy Spec A
Posting Number: 17902
Closing Date: 07/01/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83 monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21
Shift: Day
Telework: Not specified
Travel: Regular/Temporary:
Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

The Program Policy team within the Medicaid and CHIP Services (MCS) Office of Policy is seeking a Program Specialist V who will serve as the STAR Kids Policy Analyst on the STAR Kids program. STAR Kids is the Medicaid managed care program for children up to 20 years old with disabilities. The STAR Kids program integrates acute care and long‑term services and supports (LTSS) delivered by a managed care organization (MCO).

• Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to develop policy.
• Oversee the development of operational policy, including contract, administrative rule, manual, and procedural requirements.
• Assist in ensuring compliance and resolution of reported issues affecting STAR Kids members.
• Participate in and help facilitate meetings with stakeholders, including managed care organizations, provider associations, people receiving services, and advisory committee members.
• Ensure policy and guidance documents are up‑to‑date; prepare high quality written reports, correspondence, and other documents.

The Policy Analyst works under the general direction of the Program Policy Manager, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• (35%) Coordinate with other areas of MCS and HHSC to plan, develop, implement, monitor, interpret and evaluate Medicaid programs, policies, MCO contract requirements, business rules, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan.
• (35%) Plan, monitor, and evaluate MCS implementation of state legislation, federal legislation, and federal rules; analyze impacts on MCS and stakeholders, including MCOs, service providers, and members.
• (20%) Prepare high quality written documents such as project updates, reports, PowerPoint presentations, communications to stakeholders and contractors, executive memos, policy and project summaries, legislative reports, administrative rules, waivers, and state plan amendments.
• (7%) Establish, facilitate, and participate in relevant work groups and committees, including inter‑agency work groups and committees; coordinate and provide requested training to internal staff and external entities.
• (3%) Perform other duties as assigned.

• Federal and state Medicaid and CHIP laws and regulations.
• Government organization and administration.
• Program issues related to Medicaid services for children with disabilities.
• Principles of health and human services policy and planning.
• State of Texas legislative processes.

• Analyzing and evaluating complex federal and state legislation, program, policy, and operations issues.
• Project management, program management, or policy analysis.
• Synthesizing, analyzing, and evaluating highly complicated and technical information and translating it into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations for agency execution, elected officials, and the public.
• Developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues; facilitating stakeholder and workgroup meetings.

• Develop, amend, and interpret program policies, rules, and contract requirements related to…