Program Specialist V

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

8d • $4,523 - $5,889 • Onsite

About The Position

Under the direct supervision of the Quality Assurance Unit (QAU) Quality Improvement (QI) Special Projects Manager, performs highly advanced consultative and technical work. Assists the QI Special Projects Manager with implementing goals and objectives; developing guidelines, policies, and procedures; developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals of projects or grants; and coordinating and evaluating Unit activities. Leads and coordinates Quality Improvement Initiatives within the Unit. Supports and responds to the developing needs of customers both internal and external. Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Serves as the point of contact for some of the laboratory's Quality Assurance Systems.

Requirements

• Knowledge and understanding of the roles of public health laboratories.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area.
• Knowledge of Quality Improvement Strategies such as Lean Six Sigma and/or Project Management strategies and tools.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis and budget processes.
• Skill in effective customer service practices.
• Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes.
• Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution.
• Skill in oral and written communication.
• Skill in systems development and evaluation.
• Skill in time management and planning.
• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software such as MS Office 360 applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, MS Teams, and statistical programs.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to identify issues and gather, assemble, and correlate information to devise solutions.
• Ability to prepare concise reports/presentations, to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, and to plan for following action needed.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and administer quality control program activities/projects.
• Ability to utilize computer programs for spreadsheet analysis, word processing, and data collection and analysis.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple tasks, prioritize heavy workloads, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to tailor communications/presentations of complex information to a variety of audiences.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams both in person and virtually.
• Ability to develop/maintain positive working relationships with managers, co-workers, partners, and stakeholders both in person and virtually.
• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, in person or virtually.
• Ability to effectively train others.
• Valid Driver's License
• Three years’ experience coordinating/leading projects and/or assignments, required.
• Experience preparing reports, presentations, and/or documents for management review.
• Must be able to work holidays.
• Must be able to work hours other than 8 am–5 pm.
• Employee must provide transportation.
• Possess a current valid Texas driver’s license for the appropriate type of vehicle.
• Acceptable driving record must be maintained.
• Compliance with DSHS Laboratory Exposure Control Plan required: vaccine requirements are consistent with current Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations and other national guidelines for employee groups based upon job duties and tasks.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of customer service experience preferred.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Word, preferred.
• Experience with Quality Improvement/Lean Six Sigma projects, preferred.
• Experience working in a public health and/or laboratory setting, preferred.

Responsibilities

• Administers and advises on the activities of the Unit, including implementing goals and objectives that support agency and/or laboratory-wide strategic plans.
• Develops, approves, and monitors schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals of projects and/or grants.
• Participates in staff meetings to discuss problems and resolutions.
• Ensures all assigned Quality Assurance Unit compliance activities are completed on time.
• Assists with evaluating the effectiveness of unit activities and with requests for information from DSHS senior and executive management and the legislature.
• Leads and coordinates Quality Improvement Initiatives within the Unit, identifying projects, developing teams, and creating problem statements.
• Oversees team projects and serves as a resource by providing information/training and tools used for quality improvement.
• Performs other activities in support of the Unit and the Laboratory Services Section as required.
• Supports and responds to the developing needs of customers both internal and external (such as laboratory customers, laboratory employees, Lab Operations Unit, DSHS administration, DSHS program staff; state and federal regulators, etc.).
• Develops and maintains positive working relationships.
• Provides laboratory information, data, and written reports as requested.
• Serves as the point of contact for the biannual laboratory inventory and/or QA Systems such as the Environmental Monitoring Control System and/or the MediaLab Quality Management Document Control System for the laboratory.
• Acts as the liaison between the vendor and the laboratory for troubleshooting issues, assisting laboratory staff with administrative support for MediaLab, etc.
• Supports the creation of a laboratory-wide safety culture by serving as a liaison to the Safety Office to ensure a healthy and safe workplace.
• Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation.
• Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained.

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
• Education Level: No Education Listed