Deputy Commissioner for Infectious Disease Prevention Division

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

5d • Onsite

About The Position

The Deputy Commissioner (DC) for the Infectious Disease Prevention Division is under the direction of the Commissioner of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Works under limited direction and with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The DC is responsible for the executive management and oversight for the HIV/STD Section, Immunization Section, Tuberculosis and Hansen’s Disease Unit, and the DSHS Pharmacy including the effective and efficient administration of the human and capital resources of the IDP Division.

In managing the division, the DC is responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic matters to ensure that the division meets the agency’s public health goals and objectives. Operational oversight duties include the development and implementation of plans; program development, execution, and evaluation; establishing goals and objectives for the division; and ensuring 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 the administration of programs and services, and facilitating contact with federal, state, and local health-related agencies.

The DC is responsible for 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 is part of the DSHS Executive Leadership Team and will work with a variety of 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 a current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Texas and experience with public health services/systems, managing budgets for federal grants, and experience testifying at the Texas Legislature.

Requirements

• 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; the principles of leadership and how to deal with various leadership styles; information technology, governmental legal processes, and business services.
• Skill in executing and evaluating complex programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; managing multiple and competing priorities; problem solving; the management of 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 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/or supervise the work of others; express facts, ideas, and negotiate with internal/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; produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of policies and programs.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, administration, or closely related field.
• A minimum of at least five (5) years of management experience, and those five years must be from work performed within the last eight (8) years.

Nice To Haves

• Current full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Texas is preferred.
• An advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Graduation from an accredited college of medicine/osteopathic medicine program with a degree as a medical doctor/osteopathic physician.
• Experience in public health services/systems.
• Experience in the development of policy, procedures, and programmatic standards and guidelines for client service delivery.
• Experience managing budgets for federal grants.
• Experience testifying at the Texas Legislature.

Responsibilities

• Establishing goals and objectives related to the daily activities of the IDP Division which consists of the HIV/STD Section, Tuberculosis and Hansen's Unit, Immunization Section, and Pharmacy Unit.
• Division’s work involves developing guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations; developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals; coordinating and evaluating division activities; developing and evaluating budget requests and monitoring budget expenditures.
• Directs the day-to-day operations of the division, including the financial, administrative, and programmatic activities of the division.
• Oversees the development, review, and implementation of program policies, state and federal budgets, and contractual agreements.
• Plans, implements, monitors, and evaluates policies and procedures, and monitors compliance related to IDP.
• Manages continuous process improvement for IDP.
• Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of the IDP staff, including hiring (prepares position descriptions and interview questions), performance and conduct management, coaching, rewarding merit increases, promotions etc., and assigning and/or reassigning duties.
• 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.
• Testifies at public meetings and legislative hearings representing the IDP division.
• Makes presentations and provides information and testimony to legislative offices and/or legislative committees, other state and federal agencies, and other organizations regarding the Division’s programs and services.
• Oversees the development and approval of all legislative documents.
• Ensures cross-division coordination with other DSHS executives as it relates to joint projects.
• May represent DSHS and IDP at meetings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.
• Coordinates with the Commissioner and agency executives in developing and executing specific activities ensuring alignment with the agency's vision, mission, and value to accomplish the agency’s goals and objectives.
• Provides information and counsel to DSHS executives and management on programmatic trends and emerging issues and their impact.
• Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• This position will serve a key role during disasters.
• Immunizations are a critical aspect of DSHS disaster responses for weather events and infectious disease outbreaks.
• Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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: Executive