Infectious Disease Prevention Senior Advisor

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

8d • Onsite

About The Position

Program Specialist VII (Senior Advisor)The Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VII) position directly supports the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for the Infectious Prevention Disease (IDP) Division; in turn, decisions made by this position directly reflect those of the IDP Deputy Commissioner. The scope of this position primarily spans the IDP Division which includes HIV/STD, TB and Hansen’s Disease, the Immunization Section, and the DSHS Pharmacy Unit.

This position performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative services and technical assistance work; and is directly involved in addressing operational, administrative, policy, or legal aspects of IDP’s programs primarily within these areas. This position carries forward the direction of the DC to assist IDP’s leadership and program staff in addressing complex issues. Provides direction to program staff on behalf of the DC. Provides input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities. Reviews regular business reports and tracks completion of goals. Identifies the need to address areas of concern that may be impeding success or to achieve programmatic goals.
The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working in partnership with other team members to drive strategy and results, embracing and solving specific challenges the organization faces, bringing fresh ideas to IDP, integrating mission and values into work practices, and leading in a fast-paced environment. The position will work under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulations, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance.
• Knowledge and understanding of agency strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities to provide staff direction and decision making.
• Knowledge of the Texas Legislative process.
• Knowledge of contracts, grants, and budgets.
• Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.
• Skill in coordinating complex projects across multiple program areas.
• Skill in excellent written and verbal communication to draft, review, and approve memos routed to IDP leadership; external communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences; legislative correspondence; legislative reports; and federal, state, and internal audit responses. Prepare presentations and talking points for IDP and DSHS leadership for external speaking engagements.
• Ability to manage high complexity and priority cross-divisional projects.
• Ability to use sound judgement to make independent decisions that directly reflect those of the department and the IDP division regarding appropriate information to be shared within communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
• Ability to complete tasks with competing priorities.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environment.
• Graduation from four-year college or university is required.
• Four years of experience working in or alongside senior management is required.
• Four years of experience in project management and working with multidisciplinary teams is required.

Nice To Haves

• Work in public health is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Analyzes federal and state regulations and legislation, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data on a regular basis to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance. Interprets historical, current, and projected comprehensive technical reports and data to identify problems, causes, and areas for which procedural or system changes are indicated.
• Manages and coordinates strategic initiatives for the IDP division, including research, analysis, project management, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Reviews and evaluates new or improved business and management practices for application to operations.
• Oversees developing strategic staffing plans for IDP funded positions and developing strategies for recruitment and increasing retention rates in these positions. Oversees, plans, and directs organizational studies of work problems and develops solutions to organizational issues. Compiles and analyzes data related to area of responsibility and prepares reports to executive staff on results. Advises IDP’s management on studies by identifying priorities and defining study scope, purpose, objectives, time frames, and resource requirements.
• Supports the Deputy Commissioner for IDP services; The scope of this position primarily spans the IDP and programs within the division. Decisions include the appropriate information to be shared within communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences. Reviews and prepares documents on behalf of Deputy Commissioner to include memoranda, reports, studies, and other briefing documents.
• Manages action items for the Deputy Commissioner to ensure timely approval of contracts, reports, correspondence, etc. Assists in the coordination, delegation, and tracking of various administrative assignments and/or activities within the IDP Division.
• Other duties as assigned may 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: Senior
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees