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.
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Functional Title: Data Modernization Program Specialist V Job Title: Program Specialist V Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Maternal & Child Health Prog Posting Number: 22874 Closing Date: 11/16/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Community and Social Services Salary Range: $4,523.17 - $5,550.00 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework:
Travel: Up to 20% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS
Brief Job Description:
This position works on high priority quality improvement initiatives to improve the health and safety of women and mothers in Texas. Performs advanced educational, consultative, and technical work in collaboration with individuals, employers, communities, agencies, hospitals, and community-based organizations interested in the advancement of maternal and child health in Texas. Oversees program elements including data reporting and data collection communication for TexasAIM and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Operational teams. Provides leadership and management of interagency agreements and MCH projects. Implements techniques for measuring, evaluating, and achieving program goals. Supports communication and planning of MCH projects. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares data and reports in response to requests for information and aligns with routine reporting requirements. Coordinates assigned activities with contractors, MCH staff, community stakeholders, hospitals, academic institutions and training programs, regional and local public health departments, other governmental agencies, community-based organizations, and the general public. Work is performed under the limited supervision of the Maternal and Infant Health Branch Manager within the Maternal and Child Health Unit, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Oversees program elements including data reporting and data collection communication for TexasAIM and Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Operational teams. Provides consultation and technical assistance to plan, coordinate, implement, and monitor statewide maternal and child health activities. Works with agency stakeholders to support the activities of the Maternal and Infant Health Branch (MIHB), the Maternal and Child Health Unit (MCHU) and the Community Health Improvement Division. Oversees planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of activities related to assigned initiatives, including development of program design, evaluation, administrative rules, policies, and procedures. Identifies collaborative opportunities among program partner agencies and organizations by addressing issues, such as acute and chronic disease and injury, healthy lifestyles, and health disparities to assure positive health outcomes for maternal women. (45%)
Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares material in response to requests for information and reports. Maintains current awareness of national and local legislation and policies specific to maternal safety and maternal and child health in general. Works in collaboration with academic institutions, community and faith-based organizations, and other state agencies, which address MCH priorities. Develops and reports on activities in support of the national and state performance measures, health status indicators, and outcome measures. (15%)
Provides communication and outreach support for MCH initiatives and program activities, including development of program briefs, bulletins, success stories, presentations, partner status updates, meeting agendas, memos, and emails. Maintains contact rosters for hospitals, faculty, and partners. Prepares communications in response to information requests from community, agency and hospital partners and provides administrative support as needed to reach program goals and objectives. Coordinates activities including in-person meetings and routine monthly support calls for partners. Markets programs to community and professional groups to encourage and/or improve interest in the program and to secure support for the program(s). (15%)
Provides subject matter expertise on Maternal Health and Quality Improvement and speaks to hospitals, communities, and professional groups including, but not limited to TexasAIM hospitals, Texas Medical Association, Texas Hospital Association, Texas Nurses Association, Perinatal Care Regions, and regional and local health officials on assigned maternal and child health topics. Coordinates, improves, and stimulates interest in special projects, such as TexasAIM to improve maternal and child health. Provides leadership for projects or research studies, which build capacity for public health workforce in an effort to increase access to primary and preventive health care. (10%)
Coordinates planning and development of population-based services and implementation activities in partnership with DSHS Health Service Regions and other Divisions, public health agencies, other state agencies and non-governmental organizations. Promotes use of evidence-based and promising practices. Develops statewide educational activities as appropriate. Establishes networks between regional and state agency staff and community groups to address maternal health and safety and maternal and child health outcomes. Seeks opportunities to integrate services for physical and mental health. (5%)
Provides administrative and operational support to MCH initiatives and programs and develops action plans to improve or initiate new programs. Consults with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. Determines program statistics, trends, and resolves operational problems. Identifies and prioritizes business needs, ensuring alignment with agency goals. (5%)
Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery, continuity of operations activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center team. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of issues pertaining to primary and preventive health care and public health programs serving women, children, and adolescents.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations impacting maternal and child health.
Knowledge of quality improvement principles and methods.
Knowledge of principles and practices of public health administration at federal, state, and local levels.
Knowledge of principles of monitoring and evaluation; benchmarking; development of evaluation tools.
Knowledge of program development, planning, and implementation.
Knowledge of contract/performance monitoring and providing technical assistance.
Knowledge of grant writing principles and practices.
Skill in using personal computers, with knowledge of word processing and ability to learn other applications as required.
Skill in strategic planning.
Skill in human relations.
Skill in interpreting data.
Skill in managing multiple tasks.
Skill in program development and implementation.
Ability to function as a member of a team.
Ability to work collaboratively and productively with people from varying professional, socio-economic, and cultural backgrounds;
Ability to analyze and solve complex organizational problems.
Ability to think creatively and work independently.
Ability to manage a variety of tasks and priorities.
Ability to prioritize, schedule, and monitor completion of complex assignments.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze information and data.
Ability to communicate complex information clearly, concisely and effectively orally and in writing with a variety of audiences and with internal and external stakeholders.
Ability to produce written materials that are easily understood by a broad audience.
Ability to develop, evaluate, and interpret, programmatic and administrative policies and procedures.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
N/A
Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field such as public health, health sciences, public administration, psychology, health education, or community health required.
Master’s degree in public health or a related field such as health sciences, public administration, psychology, health education, or community health preferred.
Experience in program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Experience developing, writing, and presenting reports.
Additional Information:
Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise.
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 https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
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