Deputy Commissioner of Infectious Disease Prevention

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • $12,428 - $19,917 • 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 executive management and oversight of 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

• 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.
• Current, full, and unrestricted license to practice medicine in the State of Texas.
• Experience with public health services/systems.
• Experience managing budgets for federal grants.
• Experience testifying at the Texas Legislature.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Strong interpersonal skills including excellent written and oral communication skills, problem solving, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of public health principles.
• Knowledge of the State of Texas legislative processes and initiatives.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws related to Division programs.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, the budget process, and financial and contract management.
• Knowledge of the principles of leadership and how to deal with various leadership styles.
• Knowledge of information technology, governmental legal processes, and business services.
• Skill in executing and evaluating complex programs, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Skill in problem solving.
• Skill in the management of organizational resources.
• Skill in leadership, oral and written communication, and public speaking.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Skill in demonstrating strong leadership, team building, and interpersonal abilities.
• Ability to promote and support creative thinking.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to understand and effectively interpret agency and program rules and policies.
• Ability to navigate agency procedures and processes to reach desired outcomes.
• Ability to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to express facts, ideas, and negotiate with internal/external individuals and groups.
• Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, providers, stakeholders, elected officials, and coalitions.
• Ability to make timely and effective decisions.
• Ability to produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of policies and programs.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree in public health, epidemiology, or a closely related field.
• Experience in public health services/systems.
• Experience managing complex programs and staff.
• 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.
• 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.
• Directing the day-to-day operations of the division, including the financial, administrative, and programmatic activities of the division.
• Overseeing the development, review, and implementation of program policies, state and federal budgets, and contractual agreements.
• Planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating policies and procedures, and monitoring compliance related to IDP.
• Managing continuous process improvement for IDP.
• Planning, assigning, and supervising 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.
• Developing and approving schedules and priorities for direct reports.
• Identifying and managing direct reports' professional development, performance evaluations, time and leave records, telework (as allowed by DSHS policy), travel, and required training; addressing employee concerns in a timely manner, ensuring follow-up and follow through on the concerns.
• Consulting with HHS Human Resources, Legal, and internal business partners as necessary, to ensure compliance with policies and guidance.
• Testifying at public meetings and legislative hearings representing the IDP division.
• Making presentations and providing 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.
• Overseeing the development and approval of all legislative documents.
• Ensuring cross-division coordination with other DSHS executives as it relates to joint projects.
• Representing DSHS and IDP at meetings, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.
• Coordinating with the Commissioner 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.
• Providing information and counsel to DSHS executives and management on programmatic trends and emerging issues and their impact.
• 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.
• Serving a key role during disasters.

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: Manager