Policy Specialist

Job Posting Title:

Policy Specialist

Hiring Department:

Hogg Foundation for Mental Health

Position Open To:

All Applicants

Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Earliest Start Date:

Dec 16, 2024

Position Duration:

Expected to Continue

Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

Job Details:

General Notes

Established in 1940, the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health envisions a future in which the people of Texas thrive in communities that support mental health and well-being. Using a variety of approaches, including grantmaking, convening, research and public policy, the foundation works collaboratively to transform how communities promote mental health in everyday life. You can read more of our vision, mission, and values on our website.

Purpose

Participate in the foundation’s efforts to influence systems changes that improve the mental health and wellbeing of all Texans through policy education initiatives, grantmaking activities, collaboration, and dialogue. This position reports to the Director of Policy and requires on-site work five days a week per UT-Austin policy.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health education as a representative of the foundation on policy-related workgroups, advisory committees, and coalitions. Build upon the existing legislative, agency, and advocacy relationships of the foundation. Conduct presentations on key issues and policy implications; provide a variety of legislative technical assistance as requested by legislators and staff.
• Conduct policy research and analysis; develop strategic solutions for improving mental health systems in Texas. Analyze proposed legislation and proposed agency rules relating to behavioral health systems, services, and programs. Research and develop issue specific policy documents; manage update of the mental health guide.
• Collaborate with the foundation’s policy team to implement the policy unit strategic plan, including involvement in the Hogg Policy Academy program. Assist with building policy capacity on the community level in conjunction with grant initiatives, including fostering relationships with grant partners, community groups, leaders, and other stakeholders.
• Support the foundation’s policy unit to convene and facilitate meetings of diverse stakeholders on relevant policy issues. Assist with facilitating foundation staff and grant partners learning related to mental health policy and policy processes.
• Support and coordinate policy activities with internal communications, operations, and grants management as appropriate. Along with the Director of Policy, support the foundation’s policy-related grant programs. Collaborate with program team on various foundation activities, internal projects, and workgroups.
• Along with the Director of Policy, supervise and mentor graduate research assistants as needed.
  
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree in public affairs, public health, social work, law, psychology or related social and behavioral sciences;
• A minimum of five years’ experience in public policy, including working in a policy-focused role during at least one Texas legislative session;
• Strong written and oral communication skills including the ability to synthesize and educate on complex policy issues for general audiences without lobbying;
• Strong policy research and analytical skills;
• The ability to work independently as well as collaboratively with colleagues, legislators, legislative staff, state agency staff, advocates, and other external stakeholders;
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and prioritize projects;
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Capacity to think strategically and respond analytically.
• Willingness and ability to travel, on occasion, to various locations throughout the Austin area and Texas.
• Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.
  
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in mental health and working knowledge of mental health policy and the mental health system;
• Nonprofit, governmental, or philanthropic experience;
• Sensitivity and familiarity with cultures and underserved populations in Texas;
• Knowledge of, and experience working with, health and human services agencies in Texas;
• Knowledge of, and experience working with, the Texas legislature;
• Knowledge of the non-medical drivers of health at the community level;
• Experience in bringing stakeholders together and facilitating community collaboratives;
• Experience supervising and/or mentoring emerging policy professionals and graduate research assistants;
• Individuals with personal or familial lived experience of mental health or substance use willing to share their perspective to inform the policy team's work are encouraged to apply.
  
  
  

Salary Range

$65,000 - $75,000

Working Conditions

• Standard office conditions.
• Some weekends and evenings required during the Texas Legislative Session.
  
  
  

Required Materials

• Letter of Interest
• Resume/CV
• 3 work references with their contact information; one reference should be from a supervisor
  
  
  

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded. Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

Employment Eligibility:

Regular staff who have been employed in their current position for the last six continuous months are eligible for openings being recruited for through University-Wide or Open Recruiting, to include both promotional opportunities and lateral transfers. Staff who are promotion/transfer eligible may apply for positions without supervisor approval.

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form. You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States. Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment. Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031.

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.