Report Released

The Report to the 89th Legislature is now available.

The Sunset Commission is Hiring

We are currently hiring for a Review Director and Staff Assistant II. Please visit our Jobs page for more information about the vacancies and how to apply.

Jobs

Review Director

Opening Date: February 3, 2025    Closing Date: Open until filled        

Job Title: Review Director               

Starting Salary: $110,000-$150,000

Expected Start Date: Two weeks from date of offer

Agency Overview 

Sunset staff is composed of program evaluation professionals that support the Sunset Commission by performing reviews of state agencies and assisting in the legislative process. The staff work in teams led by a Project Manager and overseen by a Review Director to conduct independent analyses of state agencies to give the commission an outside evaluation of opportunities to better organize and operate state services. We are a fun, hard-working team of intellectually curious people who believe in our mission to improve government operations. The Sunset Commission is an equal opportunity employer. 

Job Description

As a senior-level position, a Review Director works under the Deputy Director for Reviews to help guide the course of Sunset reviews of state agencies. A Review Director oversees multiple Sunset reviews simultaneously, encouraging and motivating each team to collaborate to meet review objectives and facilitating the professional growth of team members. Review Directors are accountable to the Deputy Director for Reviews for ensuring consistent, quality, and timely reviews. This includes helping teams identify problems and develop workable report findings and recommendations that are logical and accurate, and editing written documents for clarity and persuasiveness. 

As part of the legislative process, a Review Director assists project managers in communicating with the legislature, both orally and in writing, at times helping navigate situations requiring tact and discretion. A Review Director maintains awareness of Sunset legislation on all agencies under review to be able to communicate with members of the legislature to help address any concerns affecting multiple reviews. 

In addition to overseeing Sunset reviews, a Review Director serves as a supervisor for assigned staff, including conducting their performance evaluations. A Review Director may supervise or lead internal teams or special projects and perform other duties to meet the ongoing needs of the agency. Periodic travel and occasional long hours are components of this job. 

Required Qualifications 

Education and Experience

  • A bachelor’s degree
  • At least five years of full-time supervisory experience 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the organization and functioning of Texas state government, including the legislative process
  • Knowledge of qualitative research techniques, including interviewing
  • Skill to review or monitor the work of others to ensure it meets quality and timeliness standards, to give clear and direct constructive feedback, and to provide mentoring and coaching to develop the skills of others
  • Skill in grammar usage, editing, and report writing
  • Skill in interview techniques and navigating situations requiring discretion
  • Ability to oversee multiple projects simultaneously, demonstrating high levels of organization and time management skills, and to identify the need to reallocate workload
  • Ability to work professionally and collaboratively with others in an effort to achieve common goals
  • Ability to communicate information accurately, clearly, and concisely, both orally and in writing
  • Ability to think critically and synthesize information to make sound arguments, conclusions, and recommendations
  • Ability to be non-partisan, objective, and make recommendations irrespective of one’s personal beliefs
  • Ability to adapt one’s own style of leadership and communication as needed to create a collaborative and positive work environment
  • Ability to have Sunset’s perspective in mind and understand how any decision will impact Sunset overall
  • Ability to manage cyclical, variable work, including working under pressure to manage multiple work assignments with tight project deadlines

Preferred Qualifications

  • Graduate degree in public policy, law, social sciences, business administration, or a similar field
  • Experience working for the State of Texas in a program evaluation, policy analysis, audit, legal, government relations, or other relevant role

Benefits

  • State of Texas benefits package, including health insurance, employer-matched retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave. Dental, vision, and disability insurance; health and dependent care savings accounts; 401(K); and an employee assistance program are also available.
  • Small, professional office located in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin with parking.
  • Merit increases, bonuses, and opportunities to advance based on individual performance and initiative.
  • Emphasis on professional development, both through in-house training and opportunities to attend external training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
  • $2,000 relocation bonus for new hires residing 250 miles or more from Austin, TX.

Staff Assistant II

Opening Date: February 3, 2025   Closing Date:  Open until filled

Job Title:  Staff Assistant II

Starting Salary:  $53,000-$60,000  

Expected Start Date:  Two weeks from date of offer

Job Description

A staff assistant works on multiple teams to provide administrative support to our policy analysts in their evaluation of Texas state agencies, including managing correspondence, creating graphics, and developing report layout. A staff assistant also performs a wide range of administrative and office support activities in a legislative agency environment. They interact with and convey information to a variety of people, including Sunset Commission members and their staff; the public; state agency executives, managers, and employees; and elected officials, via email, telephone, and in-person conversations. The possibility of long hours is a component of this job.

The Staff Assistant II works under the supervision of the Office Manager with the opportunity to exercise some initiative and independent judgment. The Sunset Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions / Responsibilities

  • Creating and designing graphics, page layouts, report covers, and formats for agency publications using InDesign and Adobe Acrobat in a team environment (up to 40 percent of total workload).
  • Preparing and modifying documents including correspondence, reports, drafts, memos, and emails using Microsoft Office and publication software, often in time-sensitive situations.
  • Maintaining electronic database and filing system.
  • Maintaining the agency’s website with current and accurate information.
  • Performing general clerical duties including, but not limited to, photocopying, scanning, and mail distribution (both hard and electronic).
  • Answering telephone calls and assisting callers.
  • Greeting and speaking with visitors in a courteous and professional manner.
  • Using effective verbal and written communication in responding to general questions relating to Sunset activities, policies, and procedures with knowledge, interest, and enthusiasm.
  • Assisting the public and Sunset staff during Sunset Commission meetings.
  • Performing other duties and special projects assigned such as the research, development, and production of manuals, brochures, forms, and other agency documents.

Required Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Two years work experience in administrative support.
  • Thorough knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office programs.
  • Strong communication skills. Demonstrated ability to write, speak, and interact clearly and professionally.
  • Proficient proofreading skills, as well as impeccable grammar and composition.
  • Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.
  • Ability to think critically and problem-solve in evolving situations, adapting to new information and changing circumstances.
  • Ability to build effective working relationships with team members.
  • Ability to handle confidential information appropriately.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, working efficiently and effectively under pressure while maintaining high accuracy and attention to detail to meet deadlines.
  • Ability to perform light physical tasks is required (occasional duties may require physical activity, such as helping move furniture or walking to deliver reports).

Preferred Qualifications

  • A bachelor’s degree.
  • At least one year of experience in page layout, design, and production processes using the Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator, and Acrobat Pro) or similar software.
  • Previous work experience in state government.

Benefits

  • State of Texas benefits package, including health insurance, employer-matched retirement plan, and paid vacation and sick leave. Dental, vision, and disability insurance; health and dependent care savings accounts; 401(K); and an employee assistance program are also available.
  • Small, professional office located in the Capitol Complex in downtown Austin with parking.
  • Merit increases, bonuses, and opportunities to advance based on individual performance and initiative.
  • Emphasis on professional development, both through in-house training and opportunities to attend external training sessions, workshops, and seminars.
  • $2,000 relocation bonus for new hires residing 250 miles or more from Austin, TX.

How to Apply

Our initial application process has two steps. Please read the following instructions carefully before you begin the process.

Step 1

Please submit the following documents to sunset@sunset.texas.gov in Word or PDF format.

  1. State of Texas application
  2. Your resume
  3. Three references with email addresses and phone numbers

If you do not provide all three documents, your application will not be considered further. Please do not submit a cover letter.

Step 2

Applicants who meet the minimum requirements will receive a confirmation email containing three questions designed to assess their interest in Sunset and critical thinking skills. You will receive the email within one business day of submitting the documents required under Step 1. Please be sure to check your spam folder for any correspondence from Sunset.

To be considered further, you must submit your responses to the three questions within 48 hours of the email timestamp. Please do not start the application process unless you will have time to answer the questions within the required timeframe. Once submitted, you will not be allowed to revise your responses.

What Happens Next?

A selection committee of Sunset staff will evaluate and score the responses. Based on their qualifications and responses, selected applicants will then be interviewed and undergo a background check. 

As a condition of employment, legal proof of authorization to work in the U.S. must be provided. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time. The Sunset Commission participates in E-Verify. 

                                                                             

Hiring Schedule

Sunset typically posts job announcements during the summer after a legislative session (odd-numbered years). However, hiring for Policy Analysts occasionally occurs at other times. Hiring for administrative staff is on an as-needed basis. Information about upcoming hiring and all job postings will be on this page and Work in Texas as soon as available. Please check back regularly.

Policy Analyst Description

Policy Analysts work in teams to review and evaluate the operations of Texas state agencies. Key job duties include developing background research, participating in interviews, analyzing policy and program issues, and developing recommendations to improve agencies under review. Experience in or knowledge of state government and the legislative process, and Masters-level education are preferred.