Policy and Rules Specialist

Health & Human Services Comm; Arlington (TX); On-site; USD 50,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Health & Human Services Comm is hiring a Policy and Rules Specialist in Arlington, TX. The role focuses on developing and interpreting agency policies, ensuring regulatory compliance, and coordinating with stakeholders to implement rule changes.

The position requires collaboration with subject-matter experts, monitoring legislative changes, and leading meetings. Telework may be available; benefits include a comprehensive package for full-time staff.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least one year experience as a surveyor, investigator, or inspector in relevant regulation.
• At least two years of experience with regulatory systems (CLASS, IMPACT, ASPEN, iQIES, TULIP, Versa).
• Experience leading complex HHSC program activities and policy/tech initiatives.
• Experience using Microsoft 365 applications.
• Experience writing policies, procedures, or rules.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with subject-matter experts to develop and maintain policies and guidance.
• Tracks and coordinates activities to meet deadlines and deliverables.
• Translates policy and technical information into plain-language reports and presentations.
• Addresses questions from stakeholders and provides information.
• Analyzes effects of legislation on agency operations.
• Monitors changes in law and manages implementation to ensure compliance.
• Plans and facilitates public and internal meetings.
• Leads development and promulgation of rules and external presentations.
• Serves as SharePoint Designer/Administrator.
• Supports staff in using BlackBoard.

Skills

Policy knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Oral & written communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Stakeholder engagement

Policy analysis

Independent planning

Information synthesis

Customer service & diplomacy

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft 365

Excel

SharePoint

Power Apps

BlackBoard

CLASS

IMPACT

iQIES

TULIP

Versa

Job description

Career Opportunities: Policy and Rules Specialist (22096)

Posting ID22096-Posted10/05/2026-Health & Human Services Comm-Professional Cred Enfmnt-Office and Administrative Support- Other Locations (243) -b. $3000 - $4999 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:Policy and Rules SpecialistJob Title:Program Specialist VAgency:Health & Human Services CommDepartment:Professional Cred EnfmntPosting Number:22096Closing Date:10/19/2026Posting Audience:Internal and ExternalOccupational Category:Office and Administrative SupportSalary Range:$4,523.16-$5,758.76Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group:TEXAS-B-21Shift:DayAdditional Shift:NoneTelework:Travel:Up to 10%Regular/Temporary:RegularFull Time/Part Time:Full timeFLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:NonexemptFacility Location: Job Location City:ARLINGTONJob Location Address:401 W SANFORD STOther Locations:Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; ZapataMOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Essential Job Functions

• Collaborates with subject-matter experts to develop and maintain policies, procedures, job aids, handbooks and guidance letters. (15%)
• Accurately tracks, monitors, plans, coordinates and schedules activities on a complex level to ensure deadlines and deliverable requirements are met. (10%)
• Translates and presents policy, rule, and other technical information into plain-language reports, presentations, and summaries for internal and external stakeholders. (10%)
• Provides or verifies information and addresses questions and issues raised by stakeholders. (5%)
• Analyzes the potential effects of court rulings and proposed legislation on agency operations. (10%)
• Monitors changes in legislation and manages implementation initiatives to ensure that the agency is in compliance with legislative mandates. (10%)
• Plans, attends, and facilitates public and internal meetings. (10%)
• Participates in or leads the development and promulgation of rules, including external presentations related to assigned programs. (10%)
• Serves as a SharePoint Designer and Administrator (10%)
• Supports RE staff in using BlackBoard (5%)
• Completes other duties as assigned. (5%)

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of Health and Human Services regulatory requirements and compliance standards.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal regulations related to enforcement and regulatory programs.
• Knowledge of software tools and databases, including Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Power Apps, SharePoint, BlackBoard, and regulatory-specific systems (CLASS, ASPEN, IMPACT, iQIES, TULIP, Versa).
• Knowledge of problem-solving processes to produce solutions to complex problems.
• Skill in communicating effectively orally and in writing with executives and key stakeholders,
• Skill in translating complex policies, laws, or rules into organizational impact
• Skill in informing decision-making at a strategic level.
• Ability to independently plan and organize the work of self and others.
• Ability to prioritize and organize workloads.
• Ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from multiple sources.
• Ability to research, develop and evaluate policies, processes and procedures, and to implement them.
• Ability to use computer databases and troubleshoot user issues.
• Ability to provide excellent customer service and demonstrate diplomacy in dealings with others.

Initial Screening Criteria

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• At least one year experience as a surveyor, investigator, or inspector in Long-term Care Regulation, Child Care Regulation, or Health Care Regulation. Experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.
• At least two years of experience using regulatory systems such as CLASS, IMPACT, ASPEN, iQIES, TULIP, or Versa.
• Experience leading complex HHSC program activities and managing policy or technical initiatives.
• Experience using Microsoft suite products.
• Experience writing policies, procedures, or rules.

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.