Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Program Manager

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Under the general direction and supervision of the Deputy Regional Director (DRD), position performs highly complex senior level managerial work overseeing the operations and activities of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (PHEPR) program in DSHS Public Health Region (PHR) 2/3 with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Supervises eight (8) program team members and manages day-to-day activities of the program. Establishes, in collaboration and consultation with the Regional Medical Director and DRD, strategic goals, objectives and priorities for the regional PHEPR program. Plans, assigns, and supervises timely and accurate completion of all program work. Develops and monitors program budgets. Oversees and directs the planning and response activities related to Planning/Response functions and collaborates with the region’s Chief Epidemiologist to respond to infectious diseases-related emergencies, all-hazard emergencies, bioterrorism events, and other public health emergencies. Develops and implements procedures and protocols to improve public health preparedness and response. Serves as regional subject matter expert on public health emergency preparedness activities. Works with DSHS Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) in Austin to ensure coordination and integration of statewide planning efforts. Serves as a member of the region’s Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies.  May be required to work other than normal business hours and locations to respond to public health emergencies.  Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards.  Independent travel throughout the State of Texas is required to meet the Essential Job Functions of this position. This position is office-based in the Arlington Office, Monday - Friday 8 am - 5 pm.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT/DEVELOPMENT: Collaborates with RMD and DRD to develop strategic goals and plans. Performs advanced managerial work overseeing and directing the operations and activities of the PHR 2/3 PHEPR program team that is responsible for Emergency Support Function (ESF) 8 public health and medical emergency planning. Develops and maintains effective relationships and networks of communication with local, regional and state partners. Attends program meetings within the region and statewide, many of which are in-person meetings and may require overnight travel. Provides technical review and approval of standard operating guidelines for response plans.  Coordinates with DSHS CHEPR and other DSHS Public Health Regions to develop strategies, goals, and standards associated with public health preparedness and response activities. Plans and coordinates the development and implementation of the Regional Health and Medical Operations Center (RHMOC). Serves as the RHMOC Director during public health emergencies. Provides oversight and coordination of trainings offered to internal and external partners. Completion of these EJF’s requires independent travel throughout the state of Texas. (45%)

MANAGEMENT OF PEOPLE: Provides day-to-day activity coordination, coaching, guidance, and performance management of PHEPR program team members, who are located across PHR 2/3. Performs all personnel management activities in accordance with agency policy including but not limited to job posting, hiring, performance management (including disciplinary actions), employee recognition, time and leave management, and travel review and approval. Completion of these EJF’s require independent travel, as team is headquartered in several offices in PHR 2/3. (30%)

BUDGET MANAGEMENT: Plans and manages the budget for PHR 2/3 PHEPR program. Ensures effective and appropriate use of funds and requests additional funds, as needed. Coordinates with program staff, the regional budget analyst, DRD, RMD, and other programs to plan the fiscal year’s budget and address any budgetary issues in a timely manner. (20%)

PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY/DISASTER RESPONSE/RECOVERY: Participates in regional special projects and assignments. Be on call, as needed, to respond to public health emergencies. May be required to work other than normal business hours, an alternate shift pattern assignment, and/or location to respond to public health emergencies. Completes Incident Command System (ICS) 100, 200, 300, 400, 700, and 800 courses. Expected to support statewide efforts in case of an emergency response. Maintains compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. Completion of these EJF’s require independent travel throughout the State of Texas.  (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs): 

KNOWLEDGE OF: Management practices. Change management principles, techniques and tools. Basic public health, medical and bioterrorism preparedness, and response practices. Essentials of the public health infrastructure of local, state, and federal programs. Basic knowledge of public health laws. Data management. Basic mathematical computation and budgeting.

SKILL IN: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Using word processing, databases, and spreadsheets (i.e., Microsoft Office suite). Developing and evaluating program procedures in accordance with regional administration and agency goals. Communicating with tact and diplomacy through technical and routine correspondence for a variety of audiences. Guiding a diverse team towards common goals. Developing solutions for administrative and personnel problems.

ABILITY TO: Work under minimal supervision exercising sound judgment. Manage day-to-day business functions. Identify problems and implement appropriate solutions. Establish goals and objectives. Organize and prioritize workloads and meet deadlines. Plan, assign, and supervise the work of others. Apply time management principles to tasks including prioritization of limited staff and resources. Maintain effective working relationships with internal and external partners using tact and diplomacy. Communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Work effectively in a team environment while maintaining discretion and confidentiality. Ability to travel independently throughout the state of Texas.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

Texas Driver's license or driver's license from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.  

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a public health-related field, social work, or emergency management/preparedness.

Preferred: Masters or Doctorate degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in a public health-related field, social work, or emergency management/preparedness.

Required: Documented in application at least 5 years of direct program management experience, including but not limited to planning, implementation, budgeting, and evaluation.

Required: Documented in application at least 3 years of direct personnel management experience including but not limited to Human Resources (HR) actions such as hiring and dismissal as well as planning, directing, and evaluating the work of others.

Required: Documented in application public health preparedness, emergency management, or disaster response experience.

Required: Ability to travel independently throughout the State of Texas 30% of the time to complete essential job functions.

Additional Information:

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

Prior to beginning employment, employees/applicants who indicate they hold a degree from an institution of higher education must provide an original college transcript indicating they earned a Bachelor’s, Master’s or Doctorate degree from a U.S. college or university or foreign degree determined to be equivalent by an acceptable education evaluator.

Employee must provide transportation. If an employee operates a personal or state motor vehicle in performance of their official duties, the employee must possess a current valid Texas Driver License for the appropriate type vehicle.

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 HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

Salary Information, Pre-employment Checks, and Work Eligibility:

• The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
• Depending on the program area and position requirements, applicants selected for hire may be required to pass background and other due diligence checks.
• DSHS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.  Download the I-9 form