HIV Surveillance Cactus Reporting 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.

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Brief Job Description: 

Under the direction of the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager, performs complex managerial work overseeing the daily operations and activities of the HIV Surveillance Cactus Group, including establishing goals and objectives, developing and evaluating budget requests, setting priorities and standards to achieve established goals, coordinating and evaluating program activities and supervising Group staff. Directs and implements HIV surveillance program activities for staff at Texas DSHS performing reporting activities for rural areas of Texas. Works together with the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager to develop and disseminate HIV/STD program standard operating procedures and guidelines, developing grant proposals and conducting epidemiologic projects. Works closely with the other Group Managers to achieve the HIV/STD/HCV Unit goals and objectives and participates in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan. Serves as a statewide expert on HIV surveillance and represents the program at meetings, hearings, conferences, workgroups, and committees. This position works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Manages all HIV Cactus Surveillance Group (Group) activities with a focus on reporting of HIV cases in rural areas of Texas.  Oversees and ensures accurate entry into the TB/HIV/STD Integrated System (THISIS) and Enhanced HIV/AIDS reporting system (eHARS) including data entry, data management, security and confidentiality, data quality, and system evaluation. Manages all activities of the Group including case reporting, electronic/non-electronic laboratory reporting, alternate records, data quality assurance, risk assessment, perinatal surveillance, and other epidemiologic or surveillance projects. Serves as a statewide expert on HIV surveillance procedures and techniques.  Assures compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Technical Guidances for HIV Surveillance Programs including Security and Confidentiality Guidelines. Evaluates the HIV surveillance systems and makes improvements (40%). 

Directly supervises Group staff and provides direction to CDC advisors or students/ interns assigned. Makes recommendations in personnel staffing, staff development, merit raises, promotions, demotions and disciplinary actions. Approves leave for assigned staff. Ensures training of staff. Supervises assigned personnel including providing regular guidance, setting priorities, developing performance standards, assigning tasks, setting deadlines and monitoring and evaluating work performance. Maintains working knowledge of and adheres to agency/program policies and assures Group staff awareness and adherence to these policies. Meets regularly with Group staff, HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager, and Unit Director. Oversees and manages the Group operating budget. Develops and evaluates budget requests. Develops and manages a monthly in-state and yearly out of state travel plan for the Group. Submits monthly Group reports and responds to suspenses in a timely and complete manner (20%). 

Plans, coordinates and evaluates visits to regional health departments and other sites to integrate and evaluate surveillance functions and provide technical assistance (20%). 

Serves as a statewide expert on HIV surveillance and represents the Group program at meetings, hearings, conferences, workgroups, and committees. Assists in preparing legislative funding requests, cost estimates for fiscal notes and performance measures (10%). 

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 (10%). 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

Knowledge of: 

Disease and/or injury surveillance.  

The principles and practice of public health and disease prevention and control.  

Epidemiologic methods, research design, data collection, data systems, data analysis, data quality assurance, program evaluation and computer systems.  

The principles and practice of public administration and management.  

Communicable disease confidentiality and reporting laws, rules and regulations.  

The disease processes of HIV/AIDS.  

Budgeting process, RFA process, contract development and grant writing. 

Skill in: 

Using software for word processing, email, database programs, spreadsheets, basic statistical analysis, as well as an understanding of software specifically designed for surveillance purposes.  

Communication necessary to produce effective oral and written reports related to TB/HIV/STD surveillance and program evaluation. 

Ability to: 

Manage the activities of a statewide disease surveillance program.  

Plan, conduct and analyze studies related to HIV/AIDS surveillance, epidemiology and program evaluation.  

Plan, assign and supervise the work of a large number of technical staff.   

Develop and manage grants and contracts 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

None 

Initial Screening Criteria: 

Bachelor's in public health, public administration, business administration, communications, or a related field. Relevant Master's preferred.  

Two or more years work experience in public health, public administration, policy development, grants development, or a related field. TB/HIV/STD or related experience preferred.  

At least two years full-time work experience in development and production of oral, written and/or electronic communication products preferred.  

Experience in leading the work of others strongly preferred. Direct supervisory experience preferred. 

Experience with infectious disease management, diagnosis, epidemiology, transmission and prevention preferred. Direct experience with HIV or STDs preferred. 

Experience with the disease processes of TB, HIV and STDs preferred. 

Experience with budgeting process, RFA process, contract development and grant writing preferred. 

Additional Information: 

none

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