Section Staff Services Officer

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Section Director for Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section (DSE) and operating with minimal supervision, performs highly advanced (senior-level) staff services work for the Section. Advises the Section Director, Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit, Healthcare Safety Unit and the Zoonosis Control Branch on policy implementation in dealing with local, state and federal officials and their staff as well as advising on special projects, personnel issues, agency policies and procedures. Provides direction and guidance necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the Section and its Units, Branches and Groups. Works with the Section Director to provide guidance and direction to the Units and Branche on management activities to carry out the mission of the Section, Division and the department. Identifies needed areas of change or improvement in the Section and makes recommendations. Liaison to the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist regarding human resources, policies, procedures, assignments, and activities to carry out the mission of the Division. Represents the Section, as needed, in the absence of the Director. Prepares reports for the Section Director. Participates in a wide variety of projects, as assigned, affecting most areas of the Section. Prepares high-level human resources support to DSE managers and directors. Develops DSE out of state travel plans. Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Knowledge of office management, personnel administration, fiscal, purchasing methods and training techniques.
• Knowledge of human resources related federal and state policies.
• Skill in facilitation, negotiating, conflict resolution and team building
• Skill in project management, priortization and program evaluations.
• Skill in using the Internet, SharePoint, Excel, Powerpoint, and Word.
• Skill in preparing/editing high level written reports and correspondence.
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to plan, assign and coordinate the work of others.
• Ability to direct program activities.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams.
• Ability to analyze complex issues, draw appropriate conclusions, and initiate necessary actions to solve problems.
• Ability to supervise employees.
• Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, federal, state and local officials and their staff and the public.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working in the Texas Health and Human Services Enterprise.
• Experience coordinating complex assignments.
• Experience working on team projects.
• Experience in interpreting state administrative policy.

Responsibilities

• Represents and acts on behalf of the Section Director to provide direction and guidance to the Units, Branches and Groups within the Section on policy, planning, and operations of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS).
• Assigns and manages projects related to DSE operations; reviews written materials and advises the Section staff on DSHS policies and procedures.
• Develops out of state (OOS) travel plan for the Section and communicates with the Division office on the plan.
• Provides high-level consultation, support and technical assistance to senior management and section staff for Human Resources and Personnel Issues.
• Carries out and oversees special projects as requested by the Section Director and senior DSHS staff.
• Serves as the COOP coordinator for the section and ensures that units and branch information is up-to-date.

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