Program Policy Fellow

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. Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Functional Title: Program Policy Fellow

Job Title: Management Analyst II

Agency: Health & Human Services Comm

Department: P&Q AC Office

Posting Number: 21468

Closing Date: 12/13/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Range: $2,261.58 - $3,626.91

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21

Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework: Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Temporary

Full Time/Part Time: Part time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: DALLAS

Job Location Address: 4855 HARRY HINES BLVD

Other Locations: Austin; Dallas; Houston

MOS Codes: 0510,0570,4502,4505,8016,8840,8852,8862,8870,11A,11Z,14FX,165X,171X,35PX,37A,37F,3N0X6,46A,612X,632X

641X,70A,70D,70E,712X,732X,INF,IS,SEI13,SEI15,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and gain hands-on experience supporting public policy and program operations that impact Texans across the state.

Access and Eligibility Services (AES) Program Policy develops and maintains policy for programs that help Texans access food, medical coverage, cash assistance, and other critical services. The Program Policy team works closely with operations, training, technology, legal, government relations, and agency leadership to ensure policies are clear, accurate, and effectively implemented.

The Management Analyst II (Program Policy Fellow) will primarily support AES Program Policy throughout the upcoming Texas legislative session. Working alongside policy professionals and program subject-matter experts, the fellow will help the division manage the fast-paced analysis, coordination, and documentation required during the legislative process.

Responsibilities may include reviewing and summarizing proposed legislation; researching existing federal and state requirements; helping identify potential policy and operational impacts; tracking legislative assignments, deadlines, and decisions; coordinating input from subject-matter experts; and preparing clear, accurate materials for leadership review. The fellow may also assist with legislative inquiries, meeting and hearing preparation, status reports, implementation planning, and other time-sensitive projects related to the session.

Following the legislative session, the fellow may help translate enacted legislation into implementation plans, policy updates, staff guidance, and other resources needed to put legislative changes into operation.

This opportunity is ideal for someone interested in the Texas legislative process, public policy, public administration, health and human services programs, government operations, research, writing, or project coordination. Successful candidates will be curious, organized, adaptable, attentive to detail, and comfortable managing multiple assignments and deadlines in a collaborative environment.

This is a temporary fellowship during the 90th Texas Legislative session intended to provide practical experience and professional development while supporting meaningful work that benefits Texans and the programs that serve them.

What You'll Learn

As a fellow with AES Program Policy, you will gain exposure to:

• Public policy development and implementation.
• Health and human services programs and government operations.
• Professional writing and policy communication.
• Process mapping, visual communication, and knowledge management.
• Project collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
• Research, analysis, and problem-solving techniques.
• Continuous improvement and user-centered design principles.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Assists with monitoring and tracking proposed legislation, bill amendments, committee activity, legislative deadlines, assignments, and other developments affecting Access and Eligibility Services programs.
• Reviews and summarizes proposed legislation and related materials to help identify potential impacts on program policy, operations, eligibility systems, staff guidance, training, client communications, and other business processes.
• Conducts research using federal and state statutes, regulations, rules, policy guidance, legislative materials, and other reliable sources to support legislative and policy analysis.
• Coordinates with policy staff and subject-matter experts to gather information, clarify issues, document program impacts, and support the timely completion of legislative assignments.
• Drafts, edits, formats, and organizes bill summaries, policy analyses, briefing materials, status reports, presentations, responses to inquiries, and other legislative-session work products.
• Helps maintain legislative trackers, assignment records, reference materials, decisions, deadlines, and supporting documentation to ensure information is current, accurate, and accessible.
• Participates in legislative meetings, workgroups, and project discussions; documents decisions, action items, outstanding questions, and next steps; and communicates updates to appropriate staff.
• Assists with responding to time-sensitive requests from leadership and other agency areas by gathering information, coordinating reviews, and preparing clear and accurate materials.
• Translates complex legislative, statutory, regulatory, and policy information into concise and understandable formats for leadership, agency staff, and other audiences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Written communication principles and professional writing practices.
• Research methods and information-gathering techniques.
• Basic principles of public policy, policy analysis, and government operations.
• The Texas legislative process, including the introduction, review, amendment, and passage of legislation.
• Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.

Skill in:

• Written and verbal communication.
• Conducting research and summarizing findings accurately and concisely.
• Reviewing proposed legislation and identifying potential policy and operational impacts.
• Organizing complex information into clear summaries, briefings, reports, and other work products.
• Tracking assignments, deadlines, decisions, and project statuses.
• Reviewing and editing documents for clarity, consistency, and accuracy.
• Using Microsoft Office applications to develop documents, spreadsheets, presentations, and tracking tools.
• Working collaboratively with team members, subject-matter experts, and stakeholders.

Ability to:

• Learn new legislative and program policy subject matter quickly.
• Interpret and translate complex legislative, regulatory, and policy information into clear and understandable language.
• Manage multiple time-sensitive assignments and meet established deadlines.
• Maintain accuracy and attention to detail in a fast-paced environment.
• Identify relevant issues, ask appropriate questions, and communicate when additional information is needed.
• Work independently while seeking guidance when appropriate.
• Adjust priorities as assignments and deadlines change.
• Receive and incorporate feedback into work products.
• Communicate effectively with staff at all organizational levels.
• Handle sensitive or confidential information appropriately.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Current enrollment in a college, graduate program, or recent graduate status.

Coursework in public policy, public administration, political science, government, public health, health care administration, communications, English, business, or a related field.

Experience conducting research and preparing written summaries, analyses, reports, presentations, or similar work products.

Experience organizing information and managing multiple assignments or deadlines.

Experience using Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

Graduate-level coursework or completion of a graduate degree preferred.

Knowledge of and experience with the Texas legislative process preferred.

Experience researching, reviewing, summarizing, or tracking legislation, public policy, statutes, regulations, or government programs preferred.

Experience with health and human services programs or other public-sector programs preferred.

Additional Information:

This is a temporary legislative fellowship position with an anticipated duration of approximately 6 months.

The fellowship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience in public policy, government operations, communications, and knowledge management while contributing to projects that support Texans receiving health and human services benefits.

Work schedules will be determined based on business needs and fellow availability. Telework opportunities may be available in accordance with agency policy.

Applicants selected for the fellowship may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks in accordance with HHSC hiring requirements.

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

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 Auditors 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 1-888-894-4747. 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.