Special Projects Coordinator

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

3d • $5,798 - $7,653 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Special Projects Coordinator (Program Specialist VII) works under the direction of the Director of Data Analytics and Special Projects within the Community Health Improvement (CHI) Division. Performs highly advanced (senior‑level) consultative and technical assistance services focused on inter‑ and intra‑agency programs, intake coordination, and oversees special projects using a public health prevention framework. Conducts research studies, and analysis, including needs assessments, surveillance, health impact assessments, and economic evaluations. Guides staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures to data collection, management, analysis, and reporting methodologies. Oversees the development and completion of strategic planning documents, including state plans and legislative/executive briefs, requests for information and reports on CHI special projects. In coordination with CHI program staff, the position ensures performance measure requirements are met by overseeing the collection, tracking, and reporting of performance data. May train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of others. Operates with minimal supervision, exercising initiative, and independent judgment. Occasional extended hours may be required to meet deadlines and support the mission‑critical reporting.

Requirements

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to public health administration and project management.
• Knowledge of project planning, development, implementation, and evaluation methodologies.
• Knowledge of state public health and behavioral health programs, including the Texas legislative process.
• Knowledge of research methodologies, statistical analysis techniques, and public-sector budget processes.
• Knowledge of data visualization tools, techniques, and best practices.
• Knowledge of performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Skill in project planning and management, including the ability to lead teams, coordinate across multiple stakeholders, and provide oversight of key initiatives.
• Skill in developing, implementing, and monitoring strategic plans, operational procedures, and analytical or programmatic reports.
• Skill in analyzing statistical data and peer-reviewed literature to draw conclusions, make recommendations, and develop summative reports.
• Skill in written and oral communication, including the development of presentations for diverse and non-technical audiences.
• Skill in organizing, prioritizing, and managing workload to meet deadlines across multiple concurrent projects.
• Skill in technical and analytical writing for policy, program, and reporting purposes.
• Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze complex qualitative and quantitative information.
• Ability to develop clear and effective data visualizations to support decision-making.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and devise practical, evidence-based solutions.
• Ability to conduct advanced research and prepare comprehensive analytical, programmatic, and policy reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, and to train, lead, assign, and prioritize staff workloads for a variety of audiences and settings.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Three (3) years’ experience of relevant public health, epidemiology, social science, which may include work in governmental, academic, nonprofit, or healthcare settings.
• Experienced in applied research methods, technical writing for professional or governmental audiences, development of data visualizations, and adherence to data governance standards.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Experience in state governmental public health programs, including community and behavioral health, preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provides senior-level consultative services and technical assistance to agency leadership related to inter- and intra-agency programs and intake coordination for CHI.
• Oversees and manages special projects using a public health prevention framework.
• Manages complex, cross-functional projects related to maternal and child health, congenital syphilis, behavioral health, chronic disease, and other public health initiatives, including preparation and oversight of required quarterly reports for the Legislative Budget Board (LBB).
• Evaluates projects and provides guidance on their development, coordination, and implementation, and identifies and resolves related operational issues.
• Provides consultation and technical support to establish project targets, objectives, timelines, and performance measures to monitor progress and ensure alignment with agency priorities.
• Lead the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.
• Coordinate and implement risk and compliance activities.
• Respond to legislative and external inquiries and requests.
• Conducts specialized research projects, studies, and analyses, including needs assessments, surveillance activities, health impact assessments, and economic evaluations to inform program planning and decision-making.
• Provides guidance to staff in the development, documentation and integration of new methods and procedures, including data collection, management, analysis, and reporting methodologies.
• Oversees survey instruments and reviews survey components to ensure questions meet program requirements for accurate data compilation and information gathering.
• Develops and coordinates briefing documents, infographics, presentations, and other correspondence to communicate research findings and data analysis results to internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with leadership to communicate, recognize, and celebrate the team’s work and accomplishments.
• Oversees the development and completion of strategic planning documents, including state plans and legislative and executive briefs for special projects.
• Performs complex strategic planning and coordination related to legislative and executive requests for information and reporting on CHI special projects.
• Prepares comprehensive reports, formulates evidence‑based and strategic solutions to complex problems, and advises executive leadership accordingly.
• Oversees the planning, implementation, and ongoing monitoring of priorities and performance standards to achieve strategic goals related to CHI special projects.
• Coordinates with CHI program staff to ensure performance measure requirements, processes, and data collection activities meet federal and state funding requirements.
• Gathers, tracks, analyzes, and reports performance data to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and forecast performance outcomes.
• Reviews existing performance measures and assists with the development and implementation of new measures as appropriate.
• Monitors special project budgets to ensure expenditure aligns with approved activities, deliverables, and applicable policies and procedures.
• Actively participating in and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s goals, obligations for disaster response and/or recovery, including activation of the agency’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP).
• May be required to work additional hours as necessary to meet established deadlines and support the agency’s mission‑critical reporting requirements.

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