CHW Program Specialist II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

9d • $3,793 - $4,857 • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Manager, Community Health Worker (CHW) and School Health Branch, performs moderately complex consultative services and technical assistance work for the Promotores or CHW Training and Certification Program (CHW Program). Reviews, coordinates, monitors, and supports certification and renewal processes, application tracking, data entry, reporting, stakeholder communication, and certification-related correspondence in accordance with CHW Program requirements. Conducts comprehensive reviews of applicable statutes, rules, policies, and procedures to determine compliance with program standards, identify deficiencies, support accurate certification decisions, and provide technical assistance to applicants, program staff, and stakeholders.

Requirements

• Knowledge of issues pertaining to primary and preventive health care and public health programs serving women, children, and adolescents.
• Knowledge of community health worker standards of practice, competencies and roles.
• Knowledge of program development, planning, implementation, and evaluation/continuous quality improvement.
• Knowledge of multi-cultural issues pertaining to cultural competency and diversity.
• Knowledge about collaboration, relationship building, and partnerships between government and community-based organizations.
• Knowledge of and experience in providing technical assistance.
• Skill in communicating effectively in both a verbal and written format, and in interpersonal communications both in English and Spanish.
• Skill in developing and evaluating policies and procedures.
• Skill in working as a member of a team, as well as independently.
• Skill in demonstrating initiative in projects and activities.
• Skill in the use of computer software and various applications, to include Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet, etc.
• Ability to identify improvements needed and suggest methods to implement them.
• Ability to prepare accurate and concise written and oral reports.
• Ability to effectively and efficiently plan, organize, and prioritize work and to coordinate multiple projects.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative in approaching new and challenging assignments.
• Ability to respond to customers in a courteous, professional manner.
• Ability to work effectively with groups of people and coordinate diverse program activities.
• Ability to conduct reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred.
• Experience may be substituted for four-year degree.

Responsibilities

• Reviews, evaluates, processes, and approves initial and renewal Community Health Worker (CHW) certification applications based on training and experience in accordance with CHW Program requirements.
• Performs comprehensive reviews of applicable statutes, rules, policies, and procedures to determine compliance with program standards.
• Identifies deficiencies, documents required corrections, and communicates follow-up requirements to applicants.
• Enters initial and renewal CHW certification application information in the Versa Regulation (VR) automated database and other agency systems.
• Provides consultative services and technical assistance to applicants, employers, governmental agencies, community-based organizations, program staff, and other stakeholders regarding certification requirements, application procedures, program standards, and related processes.
• Exercises limited independent judgment in applying program requirements to routine and moderately complex application scenarios and elevates unusual or complex issues to leadership for guidance.
• Studies and analyzes recurring application problems and program needs, prepares reports of findings and recommendations for the CHW Program Team Lead.
• Monitors, maintains, and updates application processing tracking systems for CHW, instructor, and training program initial and renewal certification applications.
• Coordinates accurate and timely data entry, record maintenance, and documentation in the Versa Regulation (VR) automated database, agency data systems, and program tracking tools.
• Develops, updates, and maintains spreadsheets, logs, monthly and quarterly reports, and other tracking mechanisms used to monitor application status, certification activity, workload, and reporting needs.
• Reviews records for completeness and consistency, identifies data discrepancies, makes corrections, and recommends process improvements to support accurate reporting and program compliance.
• Maintains electronic and hard-copy records in accordance with program procedures and responds to open records requests by researching, organizing, and preparing responsive information for review.
• Prepares, verifies, and distributes certification-related correspondence and materials, including approval emails, hard-copy certification packets, renewal reminders, expiration letters, replacement certificates, scanned photos, and identification badges for CHWs and instructors.
• Reviews applicant and certification data before issuing correspondence to ensure information is accurate and consistent with program records.
• Maintains and updates records for certified CHWs, CHW instructors, and training programs to support accurate certification status, renewal tracking, and program communication.
• Coordinates mailing, scanning, documentation, and certification material activities to support timely delivery of certification materials and continuity of program services.
• Serves as a liaison to professional and public stakeholders by providing information and technical assistance regarding the CHW Training and Certification Program’s processes, requirements, standards, and objectives.
• Responds to inquiries received by mail, email, telephone, and website submissions from program staff, applicants, employers, governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public.
• Interprets and explains established program policies, procedures, and certification requirements using audience-appropriate oral and written communication.
• Utilizes automated applications and programs for information retrieval, data review, communication, and assistance.
• Prepares and contributes to reports, special projects, assignments, and program activities that support the goals of the CHW Program and the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section.
• Other duties as assigned including 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.
• This participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
• To perform these job duties, this position may require working the extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.

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