Communications Coordinator

FALL CREEK FARM & NURSERY; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Generous time off

Career advancement opportunities

Telework eligible

Job summary

The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) seeks a Communications Coordinator to support the MHPAP unit in Austin. You will coordinate assignments, liaise with internal teams, manage records, and update the MHP department site with accessible content for executive leadership.

You will draft and edit memoranda, reports, and newsletters, oversee department web content and training guides, and contribute to cross‑agency projects under minimal supervision.

Qualifications

• Graduation from a four-year college with relevant field.
• At least two years coordinating communications or legislative assignments preferred.
• Telework is permissible; ability to work with policy stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and respond to general assignments, media, inquiries, and data requests.
• Edit and prepare memoranda, reports, briefings, and presentations for executive review.
• Manage department web edits, newsletters, and procedures; ensure accessibility.
• Develop trainings and guidance for MHP communications; support cross‑agency projects.
• Lead, organize, and track workload and project status for the MHP leadership.

Skills

Leadership

Public speaking

Written communication

Project management

Microsoft Office

Policy knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in public policy, governmental relations, journalism, English, communications, or related field

Tools

Windows

Microsoft Outlook

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Visio

Teams

Access

Job description

Career Opportunities: Communications Coordinator (20489)

Posting ID20489-Posted -Health & Human Services Comm-BH-MHSA Division Management-Community and Social Services-Eligible for Telework- Additional Shifts available (1) -c. $5000 - $6999 per month

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:Communications Coordinator
Job Title:Program Specialist VII
Agency:Health & Human Services Comm
Department:BH-MHSA Division Management
Posting Number:20489
Closing Date:09/09/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Community and Social Services
Salary Range:$5,797.66-$9,508.25
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group:TEXAS-B-25
Shift:Day
Additional Shift:Days (First)
Telework:Eligible for 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:4601 W GUADALUPE ST
Other Locations:None
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) research, evaluation, consultative services, and communications work in the Mental Health Programs Administration and Policy (MHPAP) Unit for the Mental Health Programs (MHP) Department and reports directly to the Director of MHPAP. Serves as the assignment coordinator and liaison for MHP Department response to general assignments, media, legislative inquiries, external data requests, and open records. Develops and maintains assignment tracking log for workload management and project status updates. Maintains records and serves as the MHP SharePoint Coordinator, reviewing and maintaining MHP Department site pages. Reviews and provides edits to a variety of documents including but not limited to briefing documents, presentations, reports, brochures, fliers, newsletters, and memoranda for executive management review and decision-making. Coordinates department web edits, reports, correspondence, and department newsletter content. Coordinate, create, update and maintain MHP department wide procedures. Responsible for ensuring digital content produced by the department is accessible. Creates, conducts, and disseminates trainings and guides on communication items and practices for MHP in accordance Behavioral Health Services procedures. Serves as the liaison on HHSC cross-agency initiatives and projects. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

30% - Performs highly advanced (senior-level) research, evaluation, consultative services, and communications for the MHP department. Serves as the assignment coordinator and liaison between the MHP Department, other departments within the Behavioral Health Services (BHS) Division, and other HHSC Divisions in response to general assignments, media, legislative inquiries, external data requests, and open records. Develops and maintains assignment tracking log for workload management and project status updates. Maintains records, ensuring materials are stored and accessible. Reviews, compiles, coordinates, communicates, and tracks requests to ensure adherence to deadlines, resolution of issues, and timely status updates to MHP leadership. Ensures agency policies and department procedures are followed. Escalates issues to the MHPAP Director and the MHP Associate Commissioner as appropriate for decision making or resolution.

25% - Using analytical skills and attention to detail, develops, coordinates, reviews, and edits executive memoranda, legislative reports, briefing documents, presentations, and correspondence for comprehension, consistency, accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with internal procedures in preparation for executive management review and decision making. Recommends revisions or changes in scope, format, and content on various communications documents. Coordinates, reviews, and edits communications documents such as reports, training guides, brochures, newsletters, and primers for internal and external stakeholder audiences related to MHP program areas. Reviews and edits program content for department web pages and coordinates program update requests with BHS Strategy and Operations and HHSC Communications.

20% - Coordinates, creates, updates, and maintains MHP department wide procedures, ensuring review and update on a routine cadence. Identifies ways to enhance MHP department staff adherence to protocols and procedures. Serves as an accessibility resource for the MHP department.

15% - Serves as the MHP SharePoint site coordinator. Develops, reviews, and maintains the MHP site pages. Coordinates, reviews, and meets with program staff and leadership to provide consultative services and technical assistance, reconciling issues and ensuring site consistency.

10% - Works on HHSC cross agency projects and other work as assigned. Collaborates with BHS and external partners on a consistent basis to coordinate policy, legislation, and projects and initiatives that may impact the MHP department, supporting HHSC legislative mandates and agency goals and objectives. Provides assistance and consultation to MHP department staff to ensure policies, procedures, and processes are consistent with HHSC guidance.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relating to health and human services, policies, and programs.

Knowledge of the Texas Public Information Act.

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Knowledge of public administration and project management techniques, research techniques, training techniques, and statistical analysis processes.

Skill in managing multiple, sometimes conflicting, priorities without jeopardizing deadlines and desired outcomes or milestones.

Skill in reviewing and preparing a variety of written documents with attention to detail and to make recommendations.

Skill in communicating effectively both orally and in writing for diverse audiences including state officials, legislators, state employees, and the general public.

Skill in leadership, communication convening groups, and public speaking.

Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.

Skill in the use of computer software, specifically Windows, Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, Teams, and Access.

Ability to demonstrate strong leadership and interpersonal skills, work well with all levels of staff, and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of stakeholders within and outside of the HHS enterprise with diverse needs and priorities.

Ability to develop, implement, interpret, and evaluate agency and program rules, policies, and procedures and train others.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze facts, and devise solutions to issues or concerns.

Ability to demonstrate strong organizational skills, prioritize workload, and work independently with minimal supervision.

Ability to function as a team member.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with major course work in public policy, governmental relations, journalism, English, communications, or a related field. Experience and education may be substituted for one another. At least two years’ experience in developing, monitoring, and/or coordinating communications and/or legislative assignments preferred. At least two years working for a health and human services agency is preferred.

Additional Information:

At the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, telework is a privilege and not a right. Telework is permisable for this position, but is subject to agency or other executive branch directives regarding telework, which may require the position to work from the office on some cadence.

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 tothose 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 Auditor's 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.