Public Policy Analyst (Program Specialist IV)

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement through ERS

Employer-paid health insurance

Paid holidays, vacation, sick leave

Job summary

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities in Austin seeks a Public Policy Analyst to perform complex policy and legislative advocacy aligned with our mission. You will monitor disability policy discussions and advise leadership on strategic approaches.

The role requires representing the Council at Capitol hearings and with stakeholders, developing briefings and testimony and supporting policy goals. Travel up to 10% and a hybrid Austin schedule are required.

Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience: At least two years in planning, coordinating and/or evaluating advocacy or public policy strategies.
• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience may substitute for education.

Responsibilities

• Policy Oversight: monitors state and federal policy and analyzes laws impacting people with developmental disabilities.
• Reporting: prepares briefs, fact sheets, public comments, and testimony for officials and organizations.
• TCDD Liaison: represents TCDD at Capitol meetings and hearings, promotes advocacy participation.
• Funding/Grant Review: supports funding initiatives with research and guidance on policy issues.
• Support: provides ongoing assistance to the Public Policy Committee on priority issues.

Skills

Policy analysis

Advocacy

Stakeholder engagement

Research

Oral & written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree (four-year college or university)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) is committed to creating change so that each individual is able to be fully included in their own communities and exercise control over their own lives.

All Council activities align with our mission and demonstrate:

• Commitment to self-determination for people with disabilities and their families;
• Effort to ensure that people from diverse cultures and disabilities are represented in all activities;
• Best practices in the development and provision of services and supports, including an emphasis on measurable goals; and
• Collaboration between the Council, grantees, advocacy organizations, and other groups including non-traditional partners in activities that are consistent with our mission.

Job Description

Per a Governor's Executive Order, the Texas Education Agency is the designated state agency for TCDD, and as such, provides administrative support to hire and select the best talent to support TCDD's mission. TCDD operates as a separate government entity of TEA and manages its federal award separately. TCDD offices are located on E. Oltorf in Austin, TX. TCDD is governed by a 27-member governor appointed Council.

TCDD is responsible for awarding and administering over $5 million in federal funds to organizations that assist people with developmental disabilities to achieve their potential for independence, productivity, and integration into their communities by awarding grant funds to subrecipients who develop a comprehensive system of service and supports in Texas.

We are seeking a Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities Public Policy Analyst to perform highly complex professional public policy and legislative advocacy activities consistent with the goals and objectives and priorities of the Texas DD Council. In this role, the TCDD Policy Analyst monitors disability policy discussions of state agency boards, advisory bodies or workgroups, and the Texas Legislature and recommends strategies to advance TCDD's mission and positions. This position reports to the TCDD Public Policy Director and works under limited supervision and will exercise considerable initiative and independent judgment while completing tasks.

This position requires up to 10% travel, based on business needs, to support program initiatives, collaboration, and operational priorities.

This position is based in Austin and may work a hybrid schedule. In-person attendance in Austin is required to support meetings and business operations as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Job duties are not limited to the essential functions mentioned below. You may perform other functions as assigned.

• Policy Oversight: Collaborates on public policy activities to support the advocacy priorities of the Council, to include monitoring and reviewing state and federal policy and legislation related to TCDD priorities and provides analysis of the development and implementation of laws, regulations, and public policies that impact people with developmental disabilities.
• Reporting: Summarizes key issues by developing educational fact sheets, issue papers, briefing documents, public comments, testimony and correspondence on the Council's position to Public Policy Committee, Council, state legislators, state agencies, and local, state and national disability organizations.
• TCDD Liaison: Represents TCDD at meetings at the Capitol, Legislative hearings, workgroup and task forces, and advisory boards and advances the position of TCDD by providing public input, testimony, and comments supporting the TCDD mission and priorities. Identifies advocacy opportunities and promotes participation of advocates in workgroups and linking people with developmental disabilities and families with policy makers and may conduct training on public policy issues and legislative process.
• Funding/Grant Review: Supports TCDD funding initiatives and planning by providing research, consultation and guidance on public policy issues in the development of Executive Summaries, Request for Applications and State Plan and may assist in the review, implementation, and reporting of funding activities or initiatives which forward the public policy goals.
• Support: Provides ongoing support and technical assistance for the Public Policy Committee to identify and engage in issues according to the Council's priorities and mission.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university
• Experience: At least two [2] years of experience in planning, coordinating and/or evaluating advocacy or public policy strategies
• Substitutions: Each additional year of related experience above the required minimum may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis

Other Qualifications

• Knowledge of the primary federal and state programs that provide services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.
• Awareness of the Texas Legislative process and ability to research and analyze state and federal laws and policy and procedures and prepare summaries, testimony or other responses consistent with the goals and priorities of the Council.
• Proficiency in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with Council members, co-workers, advocate and agency colleagues, policy makers and the public.
• Skill in planning, organizing, and executing tasks and assignments that require close attention to detail, and deftness in making clear, concise, meaningful oral and written presentations relative to assigned tasks.
• Aptitude for development and use of effective advocacy techniques and strategies.
• Strong comprehension of computer operation and Microsoft Office software.
• Skill in the utilization of social media.

New hires, rehires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees within the same classification. Offers are based on the candidate's experience and qualifications and consider internal pay equity across employees performing similar work.

The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates whose qualifications exceed the role's requirements. The maximum of the range is typically reserved for candidates who significantly exceed the required and preferred qualifications.

TEA employees receive a comprehensive benefits package through the State of Texas and the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS), supporting health, financial security, and work-life balance.

Benefits include:

• Retirement through ERS and employer-paid health insurance for eligible employees
• Optional dental, vision, and dependent coverage
• Paid state holidays, vacation leave, sick leave, and longevity pay
• Wellness programs, employee assistance programs, and professional development opportunities
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program

To learn more about benefits available to State of Texas employees, please review the State of Texas Employee Benefits brochure and visit the TEA Compensation and Benefits page.

Applicants eligible for Military Employment Preference will be considered in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

To explore how military experience may align with this role, applicants may review Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes within the State's Position Classification Plan. Please refer to the Military Crosswalk and select the occupational category that most closely corresponds with the classification listed in this job posting.

Additional Information

TEA is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal and state nondiscrimination laws. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, or veteran status.

TEA does not sponsor or assume sponsorship of employment visas.

This position requires the applicant to meet Agency standards and criteria which may include passing a pre-employment criminal background check, prior to being offered employment by the Agency.

To learn more about working at TEA, including hiring timelines, process details, and candidate resources, please visit the Careers at TEA page.

Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to accept phone calls or respond to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

To help ensure you receive updates regarding your application, please add [e-mail] and @tea.texas.gov to your safe sender's list.