Job Description

Date: Jan 6, 2025

Location:

AUSTIN, TX

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Employee Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Program Specialist VI

Job Title: Program Specialist VI

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Quality Assurance

Posting Number: 2097

Closing Date: 02/05/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23

Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75

Shift: Day

Additional Shift: Days (First)

Telework: Part-Time

Travel: Up to 5%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (DBGL)

Other Locations:

MOS Codes

16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,86P0,88A0,88B0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

Under the general direction of the Quality Improvement and Special Projects Manager for the Quality Assurance Unit operating with general supervision, performing complex (journey-level) staff services work for the unit. Works as the chief liaison between the unit and the division’s Laboratory Business Operations Unit for HR activities, purchasing/budget activities, travel coordinator, and other activities ensuring all agency assignments are completed per policy. Informs and coordinates activities regarding record retention policies. Coordinates unit space needs, moves, and IT support/Telcom support when needed. Tracks open records requests for the unit. Serves as the unit’s COOP coordinator. Aids in the development and ongoing maintenance of COOP. Carries out and oversees special projects as requested. Participates in a wide variety of projects, as assigned, affecting most areas of the unit/division. Facilitates and coordinates administrative assignments and composes/edits responses. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position is granted-funded. Funding will be available through June 30, 2028.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. This position is granted-funded. Funding will be available through June 30, 2028. Partial telework is available for discussion. This position requires on-site presence with a possible telework opportunity for up to two days a week.

EJF1. (30%) Works as a liaison between the unit and the PHLD Laboratory Business Operations Unit for HR activities and other activities ensuring all agency assignments are completed per policy. Plans, coordinates, and performs staff services functions for HR activities including but not limited to coordinating with the hiring panel to schedule applicant interviews, corresponding with candidates, and assisting with hiring documentation and requirements. Participates in the new employee onboarding process to ensure administrative, IT, and HR tasks are met within appropriate time frames. Assists in interpreting and ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and regulations to advise and answer policy and procedural questions including but not limited to new hires, promotions, demotions, merit increases, transfers, etc. Coordinates activities among management and staff to identify issues and facilitate appropriate action. Serves as the point of contact for the unit’s human resource issues. Helps coordinate New Employee Orientation (training) and helps ensure required documentation (records, certifications, diplomas, and other needed documentation to meet regulatory requirements) are properly filed.

EJF 2. (25%) Serves as either the primary or secondary point of contact for needed clarifications or information associated with purchasing/budget activities and travel coordination. Prepare and track procurement requests in accordance with all state and agency requirements for the unit. Responds to inquiries and required actions involving invoices and other budget-related tasks. Works to complete PHLD Unit’s travel plans (both in-state and out-of-state travel) and communicates with the division office on the plan. Coordinates travel arrangements and completes necessary assignments.

EJF3. (15%) Plans, carries out, and oversees special projects as requested. Participates in a wide variety of projects, as assigned, affecting most areas of the unit/division. Serves as a lead on program and/or project work team activities designed to improve the overall relationship between units and analyze internal processes to recommend procedural changes to improve operations. Develops and maintains records and filing systems, which include performing records retention work and coordinating with staff on disposal of records according to the agency retention schedule such as maintaining, coordinating, and implementing the approved records retention schedule and reporting. Coordinates unit space needs, moves, and IT support/Telcom support when needed.

EJF 4. (15%) Plans, facilitates, and coordinates administrative assignments. Prepares, edits, and distributes correspondence, reports, forms, and documents. Maintains continuous communication and coordination with other units and the division office to ensure timely response to correspondence, inquiries, reports, and other time-sensitive items. Prepares reports and memoranda, and conducts or facilitates meetings as needed. Coordinates needed unit updates to the Laboratory Services Manual and Fee Schedule. Assists with the maintenance of distribution lists and organizational charts.

EJF 5. (15%) Serves as the unit’s COOP coordinator. Aids in the development and ongoing maintenance of COOP. Ensures that information is up-to-date and assists in the coordination and recruitment of staff to serve in this effort.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of office management, personnel administration, fiscal, purchasing methods, and training techniques.

Knowledge of human resource administration.

Knowledge of office management.

Knowledge of agency programs, policy, and procedures.

Knowledge of fiscal or budgeting techniques and practices.

Skill in facilitation, negotiating, conflict resolution and team building.

Skill in coordinating activities: project management, prioritization, and program evaluations with use of critical thinking.

Skill in using computer, software, and applications: MS Office 365 such as SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word.

Skill in preparing/editing high-level written reports and correspondence.

Ability to analyze complex issues, draw appropriate conclusions, and initiate necessary actions to solve problems.

Ability to interpret and apply agency policies and procedures.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to guide others.

Ability to plan, assign, and coordinate the work of others.

Ability to direct program activities.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams.

Ability to supervise employees.

Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, federal, state, and local officials and their staff and the public.

Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

None

Initial Screening Criteria

• Two years of experience coordinating grant activities or leading projects, required.
• Experience coordinating/leading Quality Improvement projects, preferred.
• Federal grant experience preferred.
• Public health or laboratory experience, preferred.
• High-level customer service experience, preferred.
• Education: Associate, Bachelor, Master, or Doctorate from an accredited institution in a scientific field is preferred but not required.
  
  

Additional Information

Work Schedule: This position is granted-funded. Funding will be available through June 30, 2028.

Transportation: Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in the performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the appropriate type of vehicle. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, applicants will have their driving records checked through the Department of Public Safety and applicants must have a valid Class C Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.

Immunizations: Compliance with DSHS Laboratory Exposure Control Plan required: vaccine requirements are consistent with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and other national guidelines for employee groups based upon job duties and tasks.

Telework Opportunity: Partial telework is available for discussion. This position requires on-site presence with a possible telework opportunity for up to two days a week.

NOTE: When completing your application, include details about your job experience as it relates to the essential functions, knowledge/skills/abilities, and screening information provided in this Position Description. Please note the Requisition number on all faxed information. Additional tips on completing the Application are available online at under "About DSHS - Jobs". Posting ID# 2097. Location: 1100 W 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756, Laboratory.

Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, And Veterans

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at

ADA Accommodations

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, And Work Eligibility

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form
  
  

Nearest Major Market: Austin

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Local area, Remote job, Shift work, 2 days per week,

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