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.
Employee 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). To learn more about all the benefits available to you as a DSHS employee and other DSHS opportunities for early career pathways, visit the DSHS Careers Page.
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Functional Title: CHI Division Coordinator
Job Title: Program Specialist VII
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Community Health Improvement
Posting Number: 18728
Closing Date: 07/30/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $7,652.91
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 5%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM)
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS
Brief Job Description:
The Program Specialist VII serves as the Division Coordinator and reports directly to the Associate Deputy Commissioner (ADC) in the Community Health Improvement (CHI) Division. This position performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work and leads the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives. Work involves planning and overseeing priority division and agency program(s) assignments, policies and procedures and provides consultative services and technical assistance to program staff on grant and funding actions, rulemaking, and policy implementation. Evaluates program operations and makes recommendations to coordinate and prepare program process improvements. Completes and monitors reports, formulates strategic solutions to problems, and advises the ADC accordingly. Serves as a liaison and advisor to the CHI executive directors; assists the ADC with executive and senior level groups at meetings and on committees, task forces and inter-agency workgroups as requested. Assists with continuous program and process improvement, coordinates and implements risk and compliance activities, and identifies opportunities for program operations to improve services, and/or reduce costs; helps establish and evaluate program operations and service delivery benchmarks. This position oversees rules development and updates as well as review and approval of documents for the division and works under minimal direction of the ADC and Deputy Commissioner for Community Health Improvement with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. To perform these job duties, this position may require working the extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
(45%) Coordinates review, revision and approval of action memos, executive correspondence, reports, or publications submitted to the Division Office. Prepares reports, briefing documents, presentations, and talking points for ADC and Deputy Commissioner, in coordination with CHI Section staff or other DSHS entities, such as Government Affairs. Manages division‑level coordination for grant and funding actions review. Ensure materials meet required standards, deadlines, and routing protocols.
(30%) Coordinates rule-making processes for the Division. Engages and guides staff in all aspects of the rules process. Performs regular review of statute and policy for consideration of revising rules.
(10%) Identifies process improvements and facilitates development and revision of operational policies and procedures for the Division to guide implementation of improvements. Reviews policies and procedures for the entire division on a wide variety of operational topics, regularly preparing drafts and obtaining feedback as needed. Responds to legislative and external inquiries and requests.
(10%) Serves as a liaison to staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public to assist in explaining program specifics and requirements. Participates in Division consultation to Sections regarding advisory committee and council activities and written products, including reviewing advisory committee operations across the Division to ensure consistency in facilitation of advisory committees and use of staff resources.
(5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to 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. To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
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 public administration and management techniques.
Knowledge of Texas legislative and appropriations process.
Knowledge of Texas Rule development and update processes and procedures.
Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques.
Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
Skill in bill analysis and tracking, in monitoring and coordinating response to legislative and other inquiries.
Strategic planning and goal setting skills.
Skills in the use of computer for word processing, spreadsheet and mainframe applications.
Skills in gathering and analyzing information.
Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
Skill in conducting and facilitating meetings.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively.
Ability to provide guidance to others.
Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
Ability to work in a high profile and fast-paced environment.
Ability to establish goals and objectives.
Ability to devise solutions to administrative problems.
Ability to write, develop, implement and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.
Ability to express complex ideas clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work collaboratively in teams.
Ability to provide effective mentoring and guidance to program staff.
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
N/A
Initial Screening Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university required. Master’s degree preferred.
At least 2 years’ experience overseeing or coordinating state agency rules required.
One or more years of experience with the rulemaking process for the Texas Health and Human Services (HHS) System preferred.
At least 2 years’ experience coordinating and reviewing large-scale assignments across multiple areas required.
Additional Information:
“IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION:
Information on the application and resume must clearly state how the applicant meets initial selection criteria in the Employment History section in order to be interviewed. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position.
Answer all questions and completely summarize your experience including technical and managerial responsibilities and any special training, skills and qualifications for each position you have held in the employment history section of application.
All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. This includes, but is not limited to, previous salary, previous supervisor, and reason for leaving previous position.
Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise.
Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer.
This position is maybe eligible for telework.
Active Duty, Military, Reservists, Guardsmen, and Veterans:
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified for this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/.
ADA Accommodations:
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DSHS will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring process for individuals with a qualifying disability. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the interview process, please notify the person who contacts you to schedule the interview. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747 or via email at [email protected].
Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:
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The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
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Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
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DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Download the I-9 form
