Alzheimer's Disease Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

2d • $4,523 - $5,889 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Alzheimer’s Disease Program (ADP) Manager, performs highly advanced public health and technical assistance work to plan, develop, and implement ADP and CDC BOLD grant priorities. Oversees federally- and state-funded contracts by developing scopes of work, monitoring contractor performance, and providing technical assistance to ensure program activities, quality, and expenditures align with the Texas State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease, CDC BOLD grant priorities, and state and federal policy. Maintains strategic partnerships, including support for the statewide Alzheimer’s disease coalition, contributes to statewide strategic planning efforts, and serves as a subject matter expert on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, risk reduction, and healthy aging. Responsibilities also include program implementation, grant management and reporting, evaluation, and the use of initiative and independent judgment in carrying out assignments.

Requirements

• Knowledge of public health practices, systems, and policy at the local, state, and national levels.
• Knowledge of program planning, development, implementation, including developing and monitoring of work plans, timelines, and performance measures.
• Knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD), including risk reduction, early detection, diagnosis, and caregiver support best practices.
• Knowledge of quality improvement and performance measurement practices.
• Knowledge of the Texas State Plan on Alzheimer’s Disease.
• Knowledge of stakeholder engagement and partnership development strategies.
• Knowledge of legislative processes, reporting requirements, and policy development to relevant public health programs.
• Knowledge of plain language, policy, and program reporting standards for government communications.
• Skill in research and information analysis to inform reports and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Skill in contract oversight, including reviewing deliverables, invoices, and supporting documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Skill in developing, implementing, and coordinating complex public health programs and initiatives.
• Skill in building and maintaining partnerships with a variety of stakeholders, including contractors, healthcare providers, community-based organizations, academic institutions, and government entities.
• Skill in preparing reports, briefings, legislative responses, and other written communication for a variety of audiences.
• Skill in developing and delivering presentations to both lay and professional groups.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office computer software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint
• Skill in the use of general office equipment.
• Ability to manage federal grants and contracts.
• Ability to ensure program and contractor activities comply with requirements, policies, and regulations.
• Ability to monitor contractor budgets and track invoicing in accordance with agency and program policy.
• Ability to coordinate multiple projects and priorities while meeting deadlines and adapting to changing program needs.
• Ability to work independently with initiative and exercise sound judgement in decision-making.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision, and also collaboratively with a team setting.
• Ability to review, edit, and revise technical and programmatic documents for accuracy, clarity, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Ability to adapt writing and communication materials to meet varying requirements and to incorporate feedback through muti-level review and approval process to ensure accuracy, clarity, and compliance with state and federal standards.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Graduate degree preferred.
• Experience with coalitions, grant management, contract management, project management, and stakeholder or community engagement preferred.

Responsibilities

• In coordination with the Alzheimer’s Disease Program (ADP) Manager, establishes program goals, objectives, timelines, and performance standards to implement state and federally-funded ADP priorities.
• Prepares and monitors state-funded and grant-related budgets and ensures timely completion of program deliverables.
• Supports grant development and implementation, including grant reporting and writing applications to seek funding for healthy aging initiatives.
• Works collaboratively with the ADP team and stakeholders to support the development, revision, implementation, and monitoring of the Texas State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease, including leading coordination activities, gathering stakeholder input, developing recommendations, and advancing strategic priorities.
• Contributes to legislative reports, program updates, and other planning initiatives.
• Coordinates and tracks program activities to support federal and state priorities, project timelines, performance deliverables, and reporting requirements.
• Assists with evaluation-related activities, including coordinating with internal and external partners, as needed.
• Develops and monitors program contracts, including developing statements of work and performance measures; monitoring performance measure progress; ensuring timely submission of contract deliverables; conducting detailed and extensive review of contractor deliverables, invoices, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and compliance with contract terms and funding requirements; monitoring contractor budgets, invoicing, and expenditures; and conducting site visits and/or desk reviews as needed.
• Ensures contract activities are aligned with federal award requirements, CDC BOLD priorities, the Texas State Plan for Alzheimer’s Disease, and program initiatives, including the Alzheimer’s media and outreach campaigns and healthcare provider education efforts.
• Collaborates with Contract Management Section staff to maintain compliance and coordinates with Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CDE) Branch staff on contractor evaluation, performance reporting, and related performance requirements.
• Coordinates with contractors and internal staff to address performance concerns and ensure timely completion of contractual deliverables.
• Provides technical assistance to partners, stakeholders, contractors and other DSHS and Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) programs on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, risk reduction, and healthy aging.
• Maintains and applies current knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias, risk reduction strategies, caregiving issues, and healthy aging practices to support program implementation, contractor oversight, technical assistance, and stakeholder engagement activities.
• Attends and supports facilitation of the statewide coalition meetings and workgroups.
• Attends the Texas Council on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias meetings and assists in facilitation when needed.
• Ensures a high level of coordination with HPCDPS and HHS programs and maintains a high level of communication with the ADP Manager, unit director, section director, and project stakeholders on progress and status of priority activities.
• Coordinates across internal and external partners to support successful implementation of program activities and ensure timely completion of assigned responsibilities and project activities.
• Reviews, edits, and revises program documents, guidance, and deliverables to ensure accuracy and compliance with state and federal statutes, rules, and policies.
• Creates reports, briefings, fact sheets, summaries, and other communication materials and presents information at meetings, conferences, and trainings as requested.
• Develops presentations and communication materials in accordance with brand guidelines and plain language, policy, and program reporting standards, including multi-level review and approval processes.
• Conducts bill analyses, develops fiscal and policy impact information, and prepares responses related to legislative and media inquiries.
• Develops and maintains program documentation, records, reports, and correspondence to support program operations and reporting requirements.
• Ensures timely, accurate, and coordinated communication on program activities and priorities.
• Other duties as assigned include, but not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree