Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

DSHS is committed to hiring skilled and dedicated individuals who share a passion for public health to pursue our vision of A Healthy Texas. If you are looking to make an impact and tackle new challenges, we encourage you to consider a career with us.

Provide guidance to professional staff performing highly complex technical work. The Vital Events Data Quality (VEDQ) Specialist assist the VEDQ Team Lead in developing quality assurance procedures and conduct quality assurance reviews for vital statistics data. Prepares data sets, documents data structures and definitions, and assists with conducting data quality assurance procedures for vital statistics data. Analyze health related data. Coordinate and participate in the preparation of annual and special reports, presentations, and analyses utilizing health data derived from computer records and detailed tabulations of case level information. Respond to requests for data. Collaborate on developing and testing data storage and query systems. Provide consultation and technical advice on research methods and techniques. Ensure accurate implementation of new initiatives and policies. Coordinate with team members to automate and build efficiency in processes. Consult with other departmental programs in the design of public health projects. Duties require the utilization of personal computers, local area networks, complex software, and statistical packages. Participate in training staff. Perform other duties as assigned including, but not limited to, branch activities and actively participating and/or serving on departmental committees.

Requirements

• Knowledge of statistical applications relevant to vital statistics and public health data.
• Knowledge of available computer software packages applicable to biostatistics.
• Knowledge of database management principles and technology.
• Knowledge of statistical analysis processes and research techniques.
• Skill in the use of personal computers and local area networks.
• Skills in effective report writing.
• Skills in effective oral communication.
• Ability to handle a variety of administrative and statistical tasks.
• Ability to reason analytically.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and schedule assignments.
• Ability to work effectively with the public.
• Ability to plan, organize, and oversee projects and evaluate research data.
• Ability to interpret policies, procedures, legislation, and regulations related to research activities.
• Experience working with confidential data or protected health information.
• Experience working with Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet software.
• Experience working with databases or large datasets composed of multiple data tables.
• Experience working with others to achieve a goal/objective or complete a project.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in using SQL, SAS, SPSS, SAS, Python, R or other statistical software preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with members of the VEDQ team on performing data quality procedures involving vital statistics data.
• Apply statistical techniques to data to determine the reliability, validity, relevance, and significance of the data collected and presented.
• Use SAS or other statistical software to write programs to conduct quality assurance reviews of vital statistics data.
• Monitor historical trends and resolve technical or operational problems.
• Collaborate on developing and testing data storage and query systems.
• Manage and respond to requests for vital statistics related data through the Vital Events Data Management central email box.
• Track requests received to ensure requests are completed in a timely manner.
• Manipulate, query and link large databases to respond to requests.
• Provide support for research directed by others by preparing data files, conducting statistical analyses, and servicing as technical consultant.
• Coordinate and participate in the preparation of annual and special reports via the Internet or print.
• Develop tables, graphs, and/or maps and coordinate distribution of reports as appropriate, including adapting to the Web Content Management System.
• Document procedures for data analysis and report creation.
• Provide technical review and recommend appropriate changes.
• Initiate and provide oversight for the geocoding of vital statistics data for the Data Management team.
• Assist other professional employees in the accomplishment of official duties.
• Ensure accurate implementation of new initiatives and policies.
• Participate in departmental committees.
• Serve as subject-matter expert.
• Consult with department programs in the design of statistical projects including procedures for data collection, tabulation and recommendations for analyses and reports.
• May train personnel in statistical techniques ranging from simple descriptive to complex analytical.
• Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

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: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed