HIV Prevention Program Consultant

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • $4,951 - $5,125 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Prevention Program Manager, the Program Specialist V performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work to promote the adoption of HIV, STD, and HCV prevention interventions. Using reports from multiple data sources, this position assists in the coordination of the evaluation, monitoring, and quality improvement efforts used to measure the performance of programs contracted to perform HIV prevention interventions. The position provides consultative services, monitoring, and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, medical providers, and the general public.
The position composes detailed technical assistance and monitoring reports in collaboration with Contract Management Services. In response to state, federal, and legislative mandates, this position contributes to drafting work products, including program reports, contract procurements, and program operating policies and procedures. This position is considered a subject matter expert in HIV Prevention intervention within the HIV/STD Section and collaboratively with the HIV Prevention and Care Branch and the HIV/STD Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch. This position works under limited supervision, with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in Public Health, Social Work, or other health-related field.
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience in HIV/STD, sexual health services, or public health is required.
• Four years of relevant experience may be substituted for a degree.
• Knowledge of community-based health and social services programming for people living with HIV, such as Ryan White programming.
• Knowledge of HIV, STD and HCV prevention programming.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to HIV/STD/HCV (e.g., names reporting, partner notification).
• Knowledge of grant application and review process.
• Knowledge of customer service philosophy, displaying ability to provide customer friendly services to agencies and the public.
• Knowledge of High-Impact HIV Prevention strategies.
• Knowledge of current disease trends and population experiencing disparities and determinate of health
• Skills in clear and effective oral and written communication with culturally and professionally diverse audiences.
• Skills in organizing and writing reports using business English grammar and a professional/business writing style.
• Skills in conducting program oversight and evaluation.
• Skills in using Internet, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other computer applications.
• Skills in developing and maintaining effective working relationships across organizational lines.
• Ability to work effectively in a team within the Branch and with interdisciplinary staff.
• Ability to be resourceful and apply initiative to assigned tasks with limited supervision.
• Ability to prioritize workload and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to take initiative in becoming involved with various work groups.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment in evaluating situations and making recommendations.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with local health agencies, community-based organizations, and local planning and services coordination groups.
• Ability to provide constructive and critical feedback and guidance to programs.
• Ability to assist in developing policies and procedures.
• Ability to identify problems and formulate solutions by developing/implementing logical, effective and realistic solutions.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of general public health practices is preferred, as is experience in programming and contract oversight.

Responsibilities

• Assigned a portfolio of up to 10 HIV Prevention contracts, conducting monthly calls with each program and maintaining detailed documentation.
• Conducts all applicable processes necessary to complete required Monitoring Events and follow all required internal processes.
• Provides timely, thorough, and accurate technical assistance to address programmatic barriers to HIV/STD programs and contracts within the portfolio by telephone, on-site, and in writing.
• Prepares for and assists the HIV Prevention Team Lead with the contract development processes as needed.
• Negotiates contract renewals with funded HIV/STD programs by reviewing the required documentation and ensuring the performance measures are aligned with program budgets.
• Collects necessary documentation as required by the Contracts Management Unit for the renewal of contracts within the specified time frames.
• Reviews monthly billing information for all assigned programs in conjunction with the contracts management unit.
• Addresses any concerns regarding the monthly billing with the programs and ensure that the expenditures are allowable and at target expenditure levels.
• Initiates, reviews, and processes budget amendments and prior approval requests.
• Ensures the accurate and timely review of all billing and submitted invoicing of contracts within the portfolio and utilizes all tracking documents required by the HIV Program Manager.
• Serves as the liaison between local health departments, community-based organizations, other state-funded providers, other stakeholders, and the Department of State Health Services.
• May also serve as a liaison with state and national organizations related to HIV/STD/HCV prevention and services.
• Communicates with the Procurement and Contracting Section, the Office of Inspector General, and the Information Systems Branch to ensure that all documentation is approved and processed correctly.
• Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating funded programs within their assigned portfolio.
• Takes the lead in scheduling, planning, and conducting on-site formal program evaluations and provides on-site technical assistance according to policies and procedures.
• Conducts on-site and desktop program evaluations using standardized program tools.
• Evaluates compliance with scopes of work, program requirements, and Program Operating Procedures and Standards (POPS).
• Reviews relevant documentation and observes programmatic activities as they relate to the delivery of effective and efficient HIV prevention services.
• Works collaboratively with program staff at all levels to adequately assess quality service delivery, which may include direct observation of HCV/STD/HIV prevention activities.
• May demonstrate service delivery techniques to program staff in traditional and non-traditional settings (e.g., bars, parks, housing project, rest stops).
• Observes program staff delivering services and provides feedback to staff.
• Consults with program supervisor when staff improvement is necessary.
• Promotes program staff development by identifying training needs.
• Assists in identifying additional resources for the programs.
• Completes evaluation tools and written narrative information indicating program compliance or non-compliance, observation, findings, and required corrective action plans.
• Assures that site visit evaluation and relevant document are completed.
• Complete risk assessment tool based on site visit and other relevant information to assure programs are assessed according to risk.
• Perform follow up site visit to assure that recommendations are implemented in accordance with program review findings.
• Implement DSHS Sanction Policy when needed and performs the necessary follow up activities.
• Analyzes the programs response to corrective action plan to determine if required program improvement have been implemented and result in improvement in service delivery.
• Assures that site visits are formally closed out according to procedures.
• All monitoring events outside of scheduled monthly calls must be coordinated with the Contract Management Section, particularly the assigned Contract Manager.
• Oversees and participates in special projects, program analyses, and research studies to include the evaluation of program efficiencies, procedures, and overall program goals and objectives where assigned.
• Presents findings of the evaluation to local, state, and federal partners.
• Leads work groups and projects, conducts meetings, and contributes as a subject matter expert.
• Writes regular project updates, final reports, and technical documents which include educational material, contracts, manuals, tools, guidance, standards, policies, and procedures.
• May serve as the liaison for interdepartmental collaboration in the delivery of HIV Prevention Services.
• Special projects are assigned as needed.
• Assists program in identifying trends (e.g., infection trends, community assessment, trends in identified population such as drug administration, sexual trends, trends in access to care), barriers to program implementation and achievement of program objectives.
• Works with the data analytics team to review program performance by reviewing program reports and data and making recommendations.
• Reviews and analyzes prevention program data and make appropriate recommendations to programs.
• Review Progress Reports for accuracy and thoroughness.
• Works with program if edits need to be made and ensure all dateline are met.
• Ensure program deliverable forms are completed and submitted to the Contracts Management Unit.
• Works as a member of cross-team work groups on projects related to HIV/STD/HCV program that includes, developing program objectives, reviewing grant applications.
• Participates in Request for Applications and Request for Proposals processes.
• Develops and revises program policies and procedures.
• Creates and updates evaluation tools, budget screening tools, and program report forms.
• Responsible for technical writing of manuals, guidance, and standards for all scopes of work.
• Responds to any Legislative Inquires as assigned and within the given timelines.
• Prepares written responses to inquiries, complaints, and grievances.
• Conducts investigation of complaints or allegations, writing special reports and providing necessary technical assistance and follow up.
• Works on special projects as assigned, including but not limited to actively participating and/or serving in supporting role to meet the agencies obligation for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.
• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

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: Senior