Community Health Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Harlingen, TX

11d

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Community Health Improvement Manager, provides comprehensive technical assistance and consultation to regional stakeholders on population-based health promotion, specializing in maternal and child health, and injury prevention. As Lead Coordinator for key initiatives—including Becoming a Mom and Adolescent Health—coordinates strategic planning, regional training, and local car seat safety programs. Responsible for the full data life cycle, from developing survey tools and assessing system compliance to preparing specialized research projects and administrative reports that inform regional public health strategy. May provide guidance to others. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of: social, economic, and public health issues, basic medical terminology, health education, program implementation
• Skill in: public health work, gathering facts, reporting on population-based interventions, using Qualtrics and Excel, preparing reports.
• Ability to: implement program policies and procedures, interpret public health laws and regulations, establish and maintain effective interpersonal relationships, work with advisory councils, schools, stakeholder groups, and other programs and agencies, and communicate effectively by phone, email, or in-person, train others, collect data and reference information from sources, such as literature searches, and web-based research , write professional correspondence, using correct spelling and grammar, effectively use Windows, MS Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Publisher), and the Internet to create E-mail messages, letters, informational handouts, spreadsheets, databases, database reports, charts, graphs, presentations, and computer-generated faxes, use computers, printers, scanners, digital cameras, and audio-visual equipment, organize and prioritize workload, work on multiple projects, predict program needs, and implement responses proactively, protect confidential medical and personnel information, present to an audience in both English and Spanish.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish)
• Experience with the public, students, community members, and professionals
• Ability to work hours other than regular.
• Ability to travel overnight.
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with major coursework in social services, public health, or a related field, experience and education may be substituted for one another. Two years of relevant work experience will equal one year of college education.

Nice To Haves

• National certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician through Safe Kids worldwide is preferred
• National certification as a Child Passenger Safety Technician Proxy through Safe Kids worldwide is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead Regional Initiatives: Serve as the primary coordinator for key programs such as "Becoming a Mom," Car Seat program, Teen Pregnancy, and Adolescent Health initiatives. Serves as the Employee Wellness Coordinator.
• Manage Injury Prevention Programs: Assess, plan, and coordinate the regional car seat program; collaborate with certified technicians and child safety coalitions to address fatalities and injury risks.
• Disseminate Critical Information: Develop and distribute educational materials aimed at increasing awareness of infant health, safe sleep practices, and injury prevention (e.g., drowning prevention).
• Stakeholder Advocacy: Support and promote stakeholder activities in child safety, childhood obesity, and maternal-child health to improve overall access to care.35%
• Collaborate and Consult: Lead and maintain multi-sector partnerships with schools, hospitals, local health agencies, and non-profits to align population-based health promotion activities with community needs.
• Provide Technical Assistance: Deliver expert consultation and technical support to local stakeholders on evidence-based prevention programs, maternal health initiatives.
• Public Health Education: Act as a central resource to elevate public awareness and employee awareness regarding prevalent health issues and available education programs.
• Data Collection and Planning: Gather essential assessment data to strategically plan interventions, implement activities, and measure the effectiveness of public health initiatives and employee wellness initiatives.
• Assessment Tool Development: Support the creation of survey instruments and the subsequent collection of survey data.25%
• Strategic & Regional Planning: Contribute to the development and implementation of regional program plans and Community Health Improvement through active participation and collaboration with diverse stakeholders.
• Meeting Facilitation: Lead, coordinate, and facilitate local stakeholder planning meetings and trainings to align public health goals and training initiatives.
• Operational Training: Design and deliver public health training and presentations to educate community members and professional partners on health improvement strategies and employees on wellness initiatives. 20%
• Reporting and Documentation: Prepare comprehensive administrative reports, studies, and documentation on all activities performed, meetings held, and specialized research projects to inform decision-making.
• Performance Evaluation: Collect and analyze assessment data to measure the effectiveness of public health services and guide the planning and implementation of intervention strategies.
• Other: Performs other duties as assigned including serving in the DSHS Multi-Agency Coordination Center, State Operations Center, regional and/or local operations centers, joint field offices, Disaster District operations centers, or to be deployed to an affected area of the state during the response to and/or recovery from an all hazard event. 5%

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).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level