Job Description

Date: Nov 25, 2024

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: DC Senior Advisor

Job Title: Program Specialist VII

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Lab & Infectious Disease Svcs

Posting Number: 1030

Closing Date: 01/31/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25

Salary Range: $5,797.67$9,055.50

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Not Applicable

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 (RBB)

Other Locations:

MOS Codes:

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

Brief Job Description:

The Senior Advisor to the Deputy Commissioner for the Infectious Prevention Disease (IDP) Division performs highly advanced consultative services, technical assistance work, and is directly involved in addressing operational, administrative, policy, or legal aspects of IDP’s programs. This position carries forward the direction of the Deputy Commissioner and in turn, makes decisions that directly reflect those of the IDP Deputy Commissioner.

The Senior Advisor provides direction to program staff, input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities, reviews regular business reports, tracks completion of goals, and identifies and address areas of concern that may be impeding the ability to achieve programmatic goals.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working in partnership with other team members to drive strategy and results, embracing and solving specific challenges the organization faces, bringing fresh ideas to IDP, integrating mission and values into work practices, and leading in a fast-paced environment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF 1: Analyzes federal and state regulations and legislation, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data to determine operational or administrative direction and compliance. Interprets comprehensive technical reports and data to identify problems, causes, and areas for change. Designs, evaluates, recommends, and approves changes to forms and reports. Manages action items for Deputy Commissioner and reviews and prepares memoranda, reports, studies, and other briefing documents. Identifies priorities and defines scope, purpose, objectives, and resources requirements of studies to advise management. (30%)


EJF 2: Oversees division strategic staffing plans, funded positions, and strategies for recruitment and retention. Oversees, plans, and directs organizational studies of work problems and develops solutions to issues. Compiles, analyzes, and reports data results. Provides consultation, guidance, and assistance with planning, development, and implementation of interview and hiring practices. Develops and/or modifies administrative policies, procedures, goals, and objectives. (35%)


EJF 3: Manages and coordinates division strategic initiatives including research, analysis, project management, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Evaluates business and management practices for operations. (15%)


EJF 4: Supports the Deputy Commissioner for IDP services and programs and decisions about the appropriate information communicated to stakeholders. Other duties as assigned may include actively participating in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response or COOP activation which may include an alternate shift pattern or location. (20%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of federal and state regulations, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data to determine operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance; strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities to provide staff direction and decision making.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy; drafting, reviewing, and approving high-level documents; legislative correspondence and reports; federal, state, and internal audit responses; and preparing presentations and talking points for speaking engagements.

Ability to: manager complex and high-priority projects across divisions; and maintain confidentiality and hand sensitive information.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from four-year college or university. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for year basis.

• Experience with policy analysis preferred.

• Four years’ experience working with senior management preferred.

Additional Information:

None.

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, For contractors, Remote job, Shift work,

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