Program Specialist (Austin)

WHO WE ARE:
Texas Workforce Commission connects people with careers across the state. We are based in Austin on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. We're a Family Friendly Certified Workplace with great work-life balance, competitive salaries, extensive opportunities for training and development, and fantastic benefits. The position is located in Austin at 1411 Brazos St. in the UI Admin & Ops Support department. To work in this position, you must live in the Austin area or be willing to relocate to the area.

TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. You must be a Texas resident to work for the Texas Workforce Commission or willing to relocate to Texas.

WHO YOU ARE:
You're an experienced policy analyst with a strong background in understanding state and federal laws and regulations and how they impact government program operations and management. You're adept at developing written analyses to identify policy and operational issues and demonstrating what needs to change. You excel at supporting governmental relations and can serve as a liaison between TWC and federal, state, and local agencies and organizations. You also have experience following developing legislative bills at the state and federal level and writing reports on how they could impact TWC. You also understand how to track, monitor and respond to state and federal audit requests. You are good at organizing and have a strong attention to detail. You can handle multitasking on projects on different deadlines. And you are a strong writer who is not dependent on AI to write or edit your own material, only to enhance it and verify its accuracy.

WHAT YOU WILL DO:
Program Specialist I performs routine (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

WHAT YOU WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR:
-Researching, interpreting, and analyzing complex state and federal laws and regulations.
-Analyzing the impact of new legislation and rules on program operations and management and developing written analyses to identify policy and operational issues.
-Collecting and conducting research for program policy changes, automation changes, and other changes within the UI Division.
-Monitoring federal guidance and reviewing and assessing agency impact.
-Developing UI Program Letters and policy updates and maintaining UI policy records.
-Preparing administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.
-Representing the agency at meetings or conferences with federal, state, and local agencies or organizations.
-Tracking and monitoring state and federal audit requests.
-Serving as support for governmental relations support.
-Performs other job duties as assigned.

YOU QUALIFY WITH:
-Six months of full-time experience in the development, implementation, or interpretation of policies and procedures in a public or private agency.
-Relevant academic credits may be applied toward experience qualifications for this position.
-Acceptance into a TWC Internship or TWC Apprenticeship will satisfy the minimum qualifications.

YOU ARE A GREAT FIT WITH:
-Experience as a Policy Analyst.
-Extensive knowledge of the Texas Unemployment Compensation Act (TUCA).
-Prior unemployment insurance experience.
-Prior work with the state Legislature or assisting the state legislature during one or more sessions.
-Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences.
-Excellent time management skills and the ability to juggle multiple, shifting priorities.
-Ability to quickly learn complex new content and to gather, assess, correlate, and analyze facts.
-Attention to detail and an enthusiasm for producing high-quality work products.
-Demonstrated ability to successfully collaborate in a team environment.
-UI policy development experience.
-Experience in legislative bill analysis
-Experience in researching state/federal laws and regulations.
-Experience responding to Open Records Requests.
-Experience implementing Rapid Process Improvement (RPI).
-Graduation from an accredited law school approved by the American Bar Association and admission to the State Bar of Texas a plus.

YOU GAIN:
-A Family Friendly Certified Workplace
-Competitive salary: $4,245.00/month
-Defined Retirement Benefit Plan
-Optional 401(k) and 457 accounts
-Medical Insurance
-Paid time off, including time for vacation, sick and family care leave
-Additional benefits for active employees can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov/Active-Employees/Health-Benefits

Will work 40 hours a week during hours of operation Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM CT. Occasional overtime (evenings, weekends, and holidays) may be required. Management will set the schedule. Duties require up to 5% travel (within the state of Texas) and the ability to lift 10 lbs. This is a career ladder position with the opportunity to advance within the established career ladder structure after meeting minimum qualifications, competency requirements, and time in position.

VETERANS:
Use your military skills to qualify for this position or other jobs! Go to www.texasskillstowork.com to translate your military work experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications, and skill sets. Also, you can compare this position to military occupations (MOS) at the Texas State Auditor's Office by pasting this link into your browser: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf

HOW TO APPLY:
To be considered, please complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and apply online at www.workintexas.com or on Taleo (Job Search). TWC is not considering applications from individuals who require sponsorship for an employment visa, including those with H1B visas or those currently on student or postgraduate visas. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. A position utilizing this classification will be designated as security sensitive according to the Texas Labor Code, Section 301.042.