Associate Deputy Commissioner

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

22h • $10,271 - $15,417 • Onsite

About The Position

The Associate Deputy Commissioner (ADC) for the Infectious Disease Prevention Division is under the direction of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for the Infectious Disease Prevention Division within the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Works under limited direction with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The ADC assists the DC in providing executive leadership, operational oversight, and strategic support for the HIV/STD Section, Immunization Section, Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Unit, and the DSHS Pharmacy, including support for the effective and efficient administration of the human and capital resources of the IDP Division. In assisting with the management of the division, the ADC supports day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives to ensure that the division meets the agency’s public health goals and objectives. Responsibilities include assisting with the development and implementation of plans; program development, execution, monitoring, and evaluation; supporting the establishment of division goals and objectives; and helping ensure resources are appropriately acquired and efficiently utilized in compliance with state agency laws and policies. Responsibilities include interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, as well as department policies as applicable to the functions of this division and supporting the administration of programs and services and coordination with federal, state, and local health-related agencies. The ADC supports continuous improvement and the execution of the Department’s goals, objectives, and guiding principles in coordination with the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC). This position serves as a senior member of the IDP Division leadership team and works closely with the DC, division leadership, agency executives, and staff at all levels of the agency, as well as external stakeholders including providers, elected officials, local health departments, and coalitions. The selected candidate must have the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and strong interpersonal skills including excellent written and oral communication skills, problem solving, and negotiation skills. The ideal candidate will have experience with public health services and systems, managing complex programs and budgets, supporting legislative and executive-level communications, and coordinating cross-functional initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, administration, public administration, business administration, health administration, or a closely related field.
• A minimum of at least five (5) years of management or senior-level program administration experience.
• Experience managing complex programs, budgets, contracts, and staff.
• Experience preparing legislative materials, executive briefings, or testimony for the Texas Legislature.
• Knowledge of public health principles; the State of Texas legislative processes and initiatives; state and federal laws related to Division programs; strategic planning, the budget process, and financial and contract management; principles of leadership and organizational management; information technology, governmental legal processes, business services, and public health emergency response systems.
• Skill in supporting, executing, and evaluating complex programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; managing multiple and competing priorities; problem solving; analyzing operational and programmatic issues; managing organizational resources; leadership, oral and written communication, and public speaking; working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups; demonstrating strong leadership, team building, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to promote and support creative thinking; establish and support goals and objectives; understand and effectively interpret agency and program rules and policies; navigate agency procedures and processes to reach desired outcomes; plan, assign, and supervise the work of direct reports; communicate facts, ideas, and recommendations clearly; negotiate with internal and external individuals and groups; build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, providers, stakeholders, elected officials, and coalitions; make timely and effective decisions; and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of policies and programs.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, public administration, health administration, business administration, or a closely related field, preferred.
• Experience in public health services/systems.

Responsibilities

• Assists the Deputy Commissioner in establishing goals and objectives related to the daily activities of the IDP Division, which consists of the HIV/STD Section, Tuberculosis and Hansen's Disease Unit, Immunization Section, and Pharmacy Unit.
• Supports work involving the development of guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations; development of schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals; coordination and evaluation of division activities; development and evaluation of budget requests; and monitoring of budget expenditures.
• Assists with oversight of the division’s financial, administrative, and programmatic activities.
• Supports the development, review, and implementation of program policies, state and federal budgets, and contractual agreements.
• Assists with planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating policies and procedures, and monitors compliance related to IDP.
• Supports continuous process improvement for IDP.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of direct reports, including the Staff Services Officer, Business Operations Director, and Policy Specialist.
• Supports the Deputy Commissioner in division-wide workforce planning, coordination, and management.
• Responsibilities may include hiring support, development of position descriptions and interview questions, performance management for direct reports, coaching, recognition, and assigning and/or reassigning duties for direct reports.
• Develops and approves schedules and priorities for direct reports.
• Identifies and manages direct reports' professional development, performance evaluations, time and leave records, telework as allowed by DSHS policy, travel, and required training; addresses employee concerns in a timely manner, ensuring follow-up and follow through on the concerns.
• Consults with HHS Human Resources, Legal, and internal business partners as necessary to ensure compliance with policies and guidance.
• Supports the Deputy Commissioner in representing the IDP Division at public meetings, legislative hearings, briefings, conferences, and other forums.
• Prepares and delivers presentations and provides information to legislative offices and/or legislative committees, other state and federal agencies, and other organizations regarding the Division’s programs and services, as appropriate.
• Supports the development, coordination, review, and approval of legislative documents and executive-level responses.
• Facilitates cross-division coordination with other DSHS divisions and executives as it relates to joint projects.
• May represent DSHS and IDP at meetings, conferences, seminars, boards, panels, and committees.
• Coordinates with the Deputy Commissioner, Commissioner’s Office, and agency executives in developing and executing specific activities ensuring alignment with the agency's vision, mission, and values to accomplish the agency’s goals and objectives.
• Provides information, analysis, recommendations, and counsel to the Deputy Commissioner and other DSHS executives and management on programmatic trends, operational priorities, emerging issues, and their potential impact.
• Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting or leadership role to meet the agency's obligation for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• This position may serve a key role during disasters and public health emergencies.
• Immunizations and infectious disease prevention activities are critical aspects of DSHS disaster responses for weather events and infectious disease outbreaks.
• Such participation may require an alternative 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: Director