Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (TCDD) Public Policy Analyst (Program Specialist IV)

Job Description

Mission: 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.

TCDD Guiding Principles

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.

New hires, re-hires, and internal hires will typically receive a starting salary between the posted minimum and the average pay of employees in their same classification. Offers will be commensurate with the candidate's experience and qualifications and will thoughtfully consider internal pay equity for agency staff who perform similar duties and have similar qualifications. The top half of the posted salary range is generally reserved for candidates who exceed the requirements and qualifications for the role. The maximum of the salary range is reserved for candidates that far exceed the required and preferred qualifications for the role.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

Per a Governor's Executive Order, the Texas Education Agency is the designated state agency for Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities (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 TCDD 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 Developmental Disabilities 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.

Please note that a resume and tailored cover letter are required attachments for applying to this position. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

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

1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

• Degree fields: Education, Liberal Arts, Public Affairs, Social Sciences, or a closely related field

• 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.

• Ability to work as a contributing member of a team and foster positive and effective working relationships with a variety of individuals (including executive leadership) and groups, internal and external to TCDD.

• A desire to self-reflect, give/receive feedback and continuously improve.

As an equal opportunity employer, we hire without consideration to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, disability, age or veteran status, unless an applicant is entitled to the military employment preference.

To review the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) codes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces to each job classification series in the State's Position Classification Plan (provided by the State Auditor's Office), please access the Military Crosswalk (occupational specialty code) Guide and click on the military "occupational category" that corresponds with the state classification in this job posting title.

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.

No phone calls or emails, please. Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls and cannot reply to all email inquiries. Only candidates selected for interview will be contacted. Please add "capps.recruiting@cpa.texas.gov" and "@tea.texas.gov" to your safe senders list to ensure you receive email notifications from our talent acquisition team and/or hiring division regarding your candidacy.