School Health Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Manager for the Community Health Worker and School Health Branch in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section within the Community Health Improvement Division, performs complex consultative and technical assistance work. Provides support to school health-related advisory committees by developing and posting agendas and minutes, logistics, documentation of activities, and technical assistance. Implements membership solicitation activities including solicitation of applications, application review, and member confirmation activities. Responds to routine and complex school health inquiries, including health and safety laws, procedures and protocols, and DSHS recommendations for health issues in the school setting. Disseminates information on public health and health education programs and plans to partners and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with DSHS accessibility guidelines and publication policy. Participates and provides support for the Texas Coordinated School Helath Partnership. Collaborates in the planning, development and implementation of school health publications, rules, and activities. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Knowledge of state law and DSHS rules and/or recommendations on the provision of healthcare in public, private, and charter school settings.
• Knowledge of structure of the public education system at state, regional, and local levels.
• Knowledge of agency functions, policies, and procedures, particularly those related to communications, publications and web development.
• Knowledge of document and web accessibility guidelines.
• Skill in writing for a professional audience and communication design concepts and practices for print and web.
• Skill in telephone communication with the public.
• Skill in conducting oral presentations.
• Skill in communication clearly and effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Skill in use of computer related equipment, including the use of Microsoft Office Suite or equivalent to include word processing, spreadsheet, database, or presentation software programs.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze statewide information and data.
• Ability to solve problems and coordinate activities.
• Ability to translate technical information related to school health for multiple audiences including health care professionals, school staff, and parents.
• Ability to manage internal review processes for reports and other documents in regard to version control and meeting deadlines for responding to edits and questions from reviewers.
• Ability to use independent judgment in responding to inquiries and assignments.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and work independently to complete complex tasks and assignments within limited timelines.
• Ability to exercise discretion and independent judgement in communicating with the public, media, and representatives of government and outside agencies.
• Ability to abide by Department of State Health Services Universal Expectations, Guiding Principles, Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public health, health education, health promotion, communications, or a related field.
• Experience writing professional materials such as rules, bylaws, policies or procedures.

Responsibilities

• Provide support to school health-related advisory committees by developing and posting of agendas and minutes, logistics, documentation of activities, and technical assistance.
• Serve as the point of contact for advisory committees and provides follow-up and dissemination of information and resources.
• Coordinate the nomination process for new members and follows the DSHS approval process.
• Serve as resource person for the School Health Program by responding to routine and complex school health inquiries, including health and safety laws, procedures and protocols, and DSHS recommendations for health issues in the school setting.
• Disseminate information on public health and health education programs and plans to partners and stakeholders, ensuring compliance with DSHS accessibility guidelines and publication policy.
• Draft content and format the bi-weekly school health newsletter.
• Track communications to inform school health needs and track trends.
• Input and track program data including stock epinephrine, opioid antagosit, and asthma reporting forms, phone log, publication statistics, and other data as needed.
• Periodically review website for edits and updates based on program and committee activity.
• Participate and provide support for the Texas Coordinated School Health Partnership, as needed.
• Assist in developing reports and other documents which include input from advisory committees and state agencies, as requested.
• 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. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

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: Mid Level