Program Manager

State-of-Missour; Jefferson City (MO); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Missouri is seeking an Intergovernmental Relations Program Manager in the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. The role is based in Cole County, Jefferson City, MO, with travel required to engage with federal and state entities and stakeholders.

You will lead intergovernmental and legislative relations, coordinate H.R.1 implementation for SNAP and MO HealthNet, administer the Healthy SNAP initiative, and prepare policy documents for executive leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with at least 15 earned credit hours in Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Work, Sociology, Law, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or closely related field.
• 4+ years of professional experience in legislative affairs, intergovernmental relations, public policy analysis, government relations, program planning, quality assurance program management, or public administration.
• Earned graduate credit hours may substitute on a year-for-year basis for up to two years of the required experience; substitution rules may apply.
• Knowledge of SNAP and MO HealthNet programs, federal/state policy analysis, and cross-sector stakeholder coalitions.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate intergovernmental relations and legislative affairs related to H.R.1 and SNAP/MO HealthNet.
• Support Healthy SNAP waiver design and implementation with USDA, agricultural partners, and retailers.
• Serve as liaison between the Family Support Division and federal/state entities and local officials.
• Prepare legislative impact statements, policy briefs, talking points, and testimony summaries for leadership.
• Lead special intergovernmental projects and respond to federal legislative changes.

Skills

Legislative relations

Policy analysis

Public speaking

Stakeholder coalitions

Education

BA in Public Administration / related field

Job description

The Family Support Division is seeking applicants for the position of Intergovernmental Relations Program Manager within the Office of Intergovernmental Relations. This position is based in Cole County and is located at the Howerton State Office Building, 615 Howerton Court, Jefferson City, Missouri. Travel is required.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

Intergovernmental & Legislative Relations

H.R. 1 Implementation: Support the strategic coordination, departmental readiness, and interagency alignment for federal H.R. 1 requirements affecting SNAP and MO HealthNet (Medicaid).

Healthy SNAP Initiative Administration: Support the state's efforts to design and implement the "Healthy SNAP" waiver authorized under Executive Order 25-30, working in collaboration with the USDA, agricultural partners, grocery retailers, and external advocacy stakeholders.

Intergovernmental Liaison: Serve as a support contact and liaison between FSD and external government entities, including federal agencies (e.g., USDA, HHS, CMS), state executive agencies, regional planning commissions, and local municipal officials.

Executive Leadership Support: Prepare comprehensive legislative impact statements, policy briefs, talking points, and testimony summaries for the FSD Director, Deputy Director for Intergovernmental Relations, and other executive leadership.

Program Representation: Support departmental legislative hearings, regional planning meetings, stakeholder interactions, and national policy coalitions (e.g., APHSA, NAMD, CBPP). Additional representation can include presenting agency initiatives to stakeholders and DSS staff.

Strategic Project Management: Plan, direct, and execute special projects of an intergovernmental nature, including coordinating departmental responses to federal legislative changes, funding packages, and policy updates. (e.g. Healthy SNAP)

Unit Collaboration: Work directly with the Quality Assurance/Quality Control Unit for Income Maintenance programs (such as Temporary Assistance, Food Stamps/SNAP, and MO HealthNet). Heavy focus will be on the MO HealthNet Program.

Program Reviews: Assist with the design, implementation, and oversight of programmatic and compliance reviews. (e.g. PERM, MEQC)

Trend & Systemic Analysis: Conduct thorough trend analyses to identify systemic operational issues, policy gaps, and targeted staff training needs.

Reporting & Compliance Audits: Conduct operational reviews and compile formal reports detailing finding metrics, error rates, and corrective action plans.

Service Delivery Improvement: Formulate and deliver evidence-based recommendations to enhance overall program effectiveness and reduction in Missouri's PERM Rate.

Strategic Policy Planning: Attend divisional, area, departmental, and local collaborative meetings to plan and develop comprehensives policy recommendations, and overarching agency goals and objectives.

Effective Leadership: Provide strong and effective leadership, guidance, and support to team members by setting clear expectations, delegating responsibilities, coaching staff, and fostering a collaborative, high‑performance work environment.

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of15 earned credit hours in the following: Public Administration, Political Science, Public Policy, Social Work, Sociology, Law, Business Administration, Communications, Criminal Justice, Human Services, or a closely related field;

and

4 or more years of professional experience in legislative affairs, intergovernmental relations, public policy analysis, government relations, program planning, quality assurance program management, or professional-level public administration.

(Additional qualifying experience may substitute on a year-for-year basis for deficiencies in the required education.)

(Earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified areas may substitute on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years of the required experience at a rate of 24 earned credit hours for one year.)

• Knowledge of SNAP and MO HealthNet Programs error rates and how those impact H.R.1.
• Professional experience with legislative tracking, federal and state policy analysis.
• In-depth knowledge of health and human services programs (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid/MO HealthNet, TANF, child welfare) and related federal funding mechanisms.
• Demonstrated capability in building cross-sector stakeholder coalitions, public speaking, and coordinating strategic communications in response to complex legislative and media inquiries.
• Comprehensive knowledge of program quality control methodologies

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Individual(s) selected for this position may receive a higher rate based on a pay differential (e.g. shift, or time‑of‑service pay).

Recruitment Area: Accepting applications from all qualified applicants.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.