Immunization's Section Director

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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The Immunizations Section Director is responsible for leading and coordinating the agency’s public health efforts, with a focus on overseeing the Immunizations Program’s operations, administrative functions, and departmental initiatives. This role requires high-level managerial oversight and strategic management of program activities, including policy development, budget oversight, and performance evaluation, to ensure the success of Texas’ immunization initiatives.

The Director will manage a large multidisciplinary team, including senior leaders, and a complex budget in state and federal funding.

The Director will serve as the principal investigator for multi-year federal grants, providing essential oversight for program planning, implementation, and monitoring. Provides daily oversight to Immunizations staff, facilitates meetings, and communicates with internal and external public health partners, including federal partners, to meet identified objectives. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Manages the Texas Vaccines for Children (TVFC) programs to provide low-cost vaccines to eligible children. Manages the Adult Safety Net (ASN) for uninsured adults in Texas. Manages the Texas Immunizations Registry (ImmTrac2), including all IT projects related to the registry. These programs increase access to vaccinations for eligible populations with the goal of improving the health of Texans.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

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

EFJ 1: Direct the daily operations of the DSHS Immunizations Program, including overseeing strategic planning, process improvement, and policy development. Provide leadership and guidance to staff and stakeholders on immunization, assessment, and evaluation. Collaborate with leadership to implement solutions that improve program performance. Evaluate operations and make recommendations to develop and implement process improvements. Formulate strategic solutions on matters involving Vaccination surveillance and response, and advise accordingly. Provide leadership, guidance, and oversight to stakeholder groups and other groups that support the Program. (35%)

EFJ 2: Represents the program at internal and external meetings and serves on committees, task forces, and interagency workgroups as requested. Conducts quarterly review meetings of task forces. Provides leadership, guidance, and oversight to stakeholder groups, advisory councils, task forces, and other hoc groups. (20%)

EFJ 3: Oversees section budget and develops, reviews, and approves program budgets, major expenditures, projects, federal grant submissions, and contracts.  Establishes and obtains federal or state approval for program work plans and ensures all approved activities, priorities, and requirements of funding sources are met.  Facilitates continuous program and process improvement to improve the effectiveness of services and/or to reduce costs. Serves as the primary contact with state and federal funding officials regarding state and federal Immunization objectives and activities. Participates in developing legislative appropriation requests. Ensures that programs have financial, IT infrastructure, and resource support to carry out their activities. (20%)

EFJ 4: Oversee staff performance, including reviews, training, and evaluations. Manage personnel decisions, such as hiring, disciplinary actions, and leave approvals. Provide general oversight of staff activities and ensure alignment with program goals and budget. (15%)

EFJ 5: Oversees activities related to policymakers and the Legislature.  Ensures proposed and enacted legislation is monitored and tracked.  Ensures accurate and effective analyses of national and state legislation and regulations.  Provides leadership on legislative initiatives and exceptional items.  Ensures that accurate and timely responses are provided to inquiries. (5%)

EFJ 6: Performs other duties as assigned. 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. (5%)

REGISTRATION, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS: 

N/A

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations relevant to department programs.
• Knowledge of principles and methods related to scientific research and data management, performance measurement, and data analytics.
• Knowledge of major information management programs within DSHS.
• Knowledge of principles of leadership and how to lead diverse teams.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and program management
• Knowledge of organizational and strategic planning and operations.

• Skill in developing management reports.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
• Skill in leadership, communication, and public speaking, as well as developing presentations for Executive staff.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft Office.

• Ability to direct and organize scientific, research, data analytics, and technological activities and establish goals and objectives that support the strategic direction of the Program.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, prepare reports, and communicate very technical information to be understandable to audiences that lack specific technical knowledge.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
• Ability to implement and balance change, and to lead cross-functional teams to implement new or improved work processes.
• Ability to establish goals and objectives.
• Ability to make independent and sound technical judgments.
• Ability to organize workload and set priorities.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS:

N/A

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA:

1. Four-year degree preferred.

2. Experience in public health services is required.

3. Experience in development of policy, procedures, and clinical standards and guidelines for client service delivery is preferred.

4. Experience in budget management for health service delivery programs is required.

5. Experience interpreting and applying federal and state laws applicable to health care and public health programs is preferred.

6. Experience in managing multidisciplinary staff within the past five years is required.

7. Experience in large IT projects for public health data collection is preferred.

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