Manager IV

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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Job Description:

The Respiratory Infectious Disease Group Manager provides leadership and oversight on epidemiology and surveillance of invasive and respiratory disease conditions. This position is primarily responsible for overseeing the daily operations of respiratory infectious disease conditions epidemiological response and surveillance activities in the Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit (EAIDU); leading and implementing change initiatives related to processes and technologies; and consulting on epidemiological studies and outbreak investigations associated with respiratory infectious disease conditions and the impact of infectious diseases during disaster response.

This position advises and collaborates closely with Regional and Local Health Departments, epidemiologists, physicians, and other entities regarding invasive and respiratory infectious diseases. Candidates must have a strong background in infectious disease-related programming, disease surveillance methods, evaluating and analyzing epidemiological data, and communicating complex and technical information to a variety of audiences. Candidate experience should be in an area related to managing infectious disease programs, especially invasive and respiratory infectious disease conditions, at a state, local, or federal government agency, health department, hospital, college, or university.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EFJ 1: Supervises program staff, develops performance standards, completes performance evaluations, conducts hiring activities, and provides mentoring, counseling, training, and staff development; Assists with developing priorities, goals, and objectives through strategic planning; Assists with legislative initiatives, exceptional items, grant applications, and developing rules and regulations; Serves as a liaison with the CDC and other grantors on grants and cooperative agreements. (40%)

EFJ 2: Serves as the subject matter expert on infectious diseases. Provides leadership and consultation on investigation of outbreaks; Oversees monitoring of disease trends and provision of epidemiological expertise regarding surveillance, investigation, lab testing, transmission, and appropriate control measures; Advises stakeholders statewide on respiratory disease outbreaks and infectious disease epidemiology aspects of disasters and issues. (30%)

EFJ 3: Contact for health care providers, public health agencies, and health care related entities; Fosters teamwork and communication of group staff with other program areas, local health departments, and others; Represents the Unit at meetings, conferences, and seminars. (15%)

EFJ 4: Develops and edits materials about respiratory infectious diseases for agency rules, policies and procedures, peer-reviewed journals, and other publications; supervises the development of public health alerts distributed to healthcare providers, local health departments, and the public; Prepares and conducts infectious disease presentations; Assists with implementing prevention training programs. (10%)

EFJ 5: Performs other duties as assigned including actively participating in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response or Continuity of Operations which may require an alternate shift patter or location. This position will also provide leadership at the State Medical Operations Center as needed in disaster response. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of principles and practices of public health, public administration, and management; biostatistics; and interpretation of lab tests and pathophysiology of infectious disease.

Skill in leadership; strategic planning; project management, prioritization, and program evaluation; summarizing data in written, tabular, and graphic form; and managing budgets, finances, grants, and contracts.

Ability to evaluate and analyze epidemiological data; advise and provide consultation regarding invasive and respiratory disease control and epidemiology and on infectious disease outbreak investigations; write and edit materials for medical, public health, lay, and other audiences; promote team and organizational learning.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None Required. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, epidemiology, public administration, or related field.

2. Minimum of two years of experience working in infectious disease at a local, state, or federal government agency, health department, hospital, college, or university. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in respiratory infectious diseases, epidemiology and surveillance, or control of infectious diseases.

3. Minimum of two years of experience supervising staff who work in an area of infectious diseases.  

4. Experience in grant writing, grant development, and managing budgets for federal grants.

Additional Information:

● This position is 100% telework eligible but is subject to change based on business needs.

● This is a federally funded position.

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