Community Health Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Harlingen, TX

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Community Health Improvement Manager, performs routine public health services in assigned counties in Public Health Region 11 to identify, develop, and implement strategies to promote health and prevent disease and injury successfully. Work involves collaboration with schools, local health agencies, non-profit organizations, health advisory boards, private physicians, individuals, and stakeholder coalitions on population-based health promotion activities to improve access to care and prevent disease and injury regarding maternal and child health care. Trains the community stakeholders and staff in evidence-based health promotion and health education strategies that support healthier environments and encourage healthy behaviors. Works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for initiative and independent judgment. 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 or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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 Access 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 outreach, instruction, partnership building, and networking with the public, students, community members, and/or professionals
• Experience with working hours other than regular.
• Experience with overnight travel
• Must possess a minimum of an associate degree in a related field or enough college hours to equal an associate degree. Work experience may be substituted for college education.
• 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; Certification shall be achieved as a technician within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Stakeholder Collaboration: Develop, implement, and evaluate community-wide strategies to promote health and prevent disease and injury by partnering with schools, healthcare providers, government officials, and local action groups.
• Provide Technical Assistance: Offer expert guidance and support for extensive public health campaigns and initiatives identified within the region’s annual Community Health Improvement Plan.
• Deliver Targeted Education: Prepare and distribute educational materials; develop and conduct presentations and training for at-risk populations, health providers, and community groups regarding health issues and emerging public health threats.
• Coordinate Title V Services: Actively participate in and coordinate Title V population-based services focused on women's, adolescent, and children's health, including suicide prevention, obesity reduction, child passenger safety, and teen pregnancy prevention.
• Program Implementation: Assists Health Services Region 11 (HSR 11) staff as a resource to create awareness about public health issues and related services. Assists in the implementation of evidence-based programs. Disseminates and interprets information on public health issues and health promotion programs for local stakeholders and the public about these issues. Create awareness of maternal and child health issues and prevention strategies. Coordinates training courses, health education courses and training others. Assists in the preparation and completion of team activities.
• Strategic Planning Support: Assist in the development of regional program plans and participate in, and potentially facilitate, local stakeholder planning meetings to align program objectives.
• Activity Coordination: Plan and execute community health initiatives and events, including child passenger safety seat checkup events, the Becoming a Mom program, and other service offerings.
• Administrative Support: Track and maintain meeting and activity schedules to ensure seamless execution of all planned events.
• Inventory Management: Monitor and track inventory for program materials, equipment, and supplies; identify procurement needs to ensure sufficient resources for all planned activities.
• Data Collection & Analysis: Gather and manage assessment data to inform the planning of intervention strategies, program implementation, and the evaluation of public health service effectiveness.
• Compliance Assessment: Lead the coordination of local public health system assessments to ensure strict adherence to state mandates, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Research & Reporting: Prepare comprehensive administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects detailing program activities, meeting outcomes, and assessment findings.
• Tool Development & Maintenance: Assist in the development of survey tools, oversee data collection processes, and maintain accurate resource guides and stakeholder listings.
• OTHER: Support office duties including phone coverage, ordering supplies, filing reports, making copies, and performing related work 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.

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree