Government Relations Spec II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

8d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

Performs adavnced (senior-level) legislative and consultative work, serving as a liaison between a state agency and governmental and legislative entities.
The Government Relations Specialist II serves as a liaison between the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and legislative offices, state agencies, and other governmental agencies. This position is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and tracking legislation and policy developments that impact DFPS programs and operations. This position supports the development of legislative reports, presentations, and responses to legislative inquiries. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbott Executive Order GA-48.
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes and state government administration.
• Skill in compiling, evaluating, and presenting legislative information; in problem solving and negotiating; in policy analysis and research; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Ability to analyze issues, to work under pressure and meet close deadlines, and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to oversee and/or supervise the work of others.
• Experience working with the federal or state legislature, legislative staff, advocacy organizations or research services.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred.
• Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Responsibilities

• Participates in agency activities related to the legislative session; attends legislative hearings and meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons.
• Participates in agency activities related to the legislative session including identifying legislative initiatives, communicating department objectives, analyzing, tracking and monitoring proposed legislation impacting DFPS or its clients through coordination with program areas and agency leadership.
• Reviews proposed legislation to assess its potential operational, fiscal, and policy impact on DFPS programs, and translates complex bill language into clear, practical information that can be used by agency leadership and program staff to support informed decision-making and strategic planning during legislative sessions.
• Reviews draft bill analyses prepared by program areas to ensure accuracy, consistency with agency policy, and clarity before external submission to legislative offices, oversight entities, or state leadership.
• Works closely with the Government Relations Director to support DFPS’s engagement with legislative interim committees by coordinating agency participation, gathering internal input, preparing written materials, and ensuring timely follow-up on legislative requests or committee recommendations.
• Attends legislative hearing and meeting with lawmakers, staff, and other agency liaisons throughout the legislative cycle, representing DFPS in a professional and informed manner, while capturing key takeaways, identifying policy trends, and communicating timely updates back to agency leadership and program areas to inform internal planning responses.
• Works closely with executive and program staff in advance of legislative hearings to prepare testimony, align messaging, and confirm that all participants are fully briefed on the context,  purpose, and expectations of their appearance before the committee.
• Reviews and edits draft testimony prepared by DFPS staff to ensure it is clear, accurate, and aligned with agency policies and priorities.
• Provides feedback and guidance to DFPS staff to strengthen key points and maintain a consistent agency voice during legislative testimony.
• Coordinates agency communications with legislators and their staff by tracking legislative inquiries, gathering responses from relevant program areas, and ensuring that all information shared is accurate, timely, and aligned with agency policies and messaging.
• Works closely with executive leadership and program staff to review, edit, and finalize outgoing correspondence to legislators and their staff to ensure responses are professionally written, clearly address the inquiry, and reflect the agency’s position and priorities.
• Serves as a point of contact for coordinating communication between DFPS and legislative support, such as the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), and other executive agencies, ensuring DFPS responses are consistent, complete, and submitted within required timeframes.
• Manages agency communications with legislators and external stakeholders regarding proposed or active legislation impacting DFPS, ensuring that updates, clarifications, and requests for information are handled efficiently and routed to the appropriate agency contacts.
• Coordinates responses to legislative and stakeholder inquiries related to agency programs, services, and policies by collaborating with internal subject matter experts to gather accurate information and ensure consistent, responsive communication that supports transparency and engagement.
• Coordinates communication between DFPS and legislative support agencies such as Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the Legislative Council, and executive agencies including the Governor’s Office and Health and Human Services, ensuring that information shared is accurate, timely, and aligned with agency priorities, and that requests for data, analysis, or input are routed to the appropriate internal contacts for response.
• Ensures agency executives and legislative coordinators are well-prepared for the legislative session by monitoring the implementation and rulemaking processes associated with newly passed legislation by tracking agency responsibilities, timelines, and key decision points to support informed participation in legislative discussions and effective policy rollout.
• Monitors the schedules, agendas, and activities of standing and interim legislative committees, identifying items that may impact DFPS programs or require agency input, and communicating relevant updates to agency leadership and program staff to support awareness, readiness, and proactive engagement.
• Coordinates with internal stakeholders to identify when agency representation is needed for legislative committee hearings or meetings, and communicates those needs to executive leadership, helping to ensure the right DFPS personnel are assigned to attend, present, or provide support based on the topics listed on committee agendas.
• Prepares clear and concise summaries of legislative meetings and hearings that relate to DFPS programs and policies, capturing key discussions, decisions, and follow-up actions to support internal understanding and planning.
• Develops and distributes timely summaries of relevant meetings and hearings to agency executives, the government relations team, and program leadership to ensure stakeholders are informed of legislative developments, emerging priorities, and potential impacts on agency operations.
• Maintains the DFPS Government Relations Handbook by regularly updating guidance, templates, and protocols to reflect changes in legislative processes, agency leadership priorities, or state policy, serving as a resource to agency staff on how to appropriately engage with elected officials and their offices.
• Collaborates with program and executive staff to review and edit agency responses to legislative inquiries to ensure accuracy, clarity, alignment with agency messaging, and effective responses to address the questions or concerns raised by legislative offices.
• Coordinates agency responses to legislative inquiries by tracking incoming requests, working with internal subject matter experts to develop content, and ensuring responses are delivered within expected timeframes while maintaining consistency and professionalism across communications.
• Prepares comprehensive reports on newly enacted state laws and pending state and federal legislation that impacts DFPS programs, policies, funding, or operations, summarizing key provisions, implementing timelines, and potential implications for agency leadership and program staff, supporting informed planning and decision-making across the agency.
• Delivers targeted training sessions to DFPS staff and program legislative coordinators on preparing for legislative bill analyses, crafting fiscal notes, and representing the agency in public testimony.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
• You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level