Operations Branch 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:

Operations Branch Manager III performs complex managerial work administering two teams in the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (CHEPR) to include the Operations Team, and Tactical Communications Team during daily operations and activities and emergency or disaster response operations. Serves as a member of the CHEPR leadership team. Plans, assigns, and supervises staff responsible for public health and medical disaster and emergency response planning, coordination, logistical support, and tactical communications. Oversees staff performance plans and evaluations. Collaborates with Center leadership to establish goals and objectives for assigned teams. Coordinates and consistently evaluates team functionality to improve operations. Responsible for managing and maintaining the State Medical Operations Center to ensure it is operationally ready for disaster response 24/7, 365. Oversees the development of plans, guidelines and operating procedures for the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC), State Operations Center (SOC), and deployable response teams. Oversees the development and conduct of training and exercise activities that support response plans and operating procedures. Plans, assigns, and supervises work in response to special requests and assignments from agency leadership regarding coordination of disaster preparedness and response activities. Provides technical expertise and guidance regarding questions related to public health and medical preparedness and response. Collaborates with federal partners, DSHS leadership, and internal and external preparedness and response partners. Assists with legislative inquiries and analysis regarding public health and medical preparedness and response.

Serves as the Incident Director or Deputy Director in the SMOC during response to emergencies or disasters. Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Manage multiple response contracts, contingency contracts, and memorandums of agreement. Works closely with other agency staff to manage the contract throughout the procurement process to include development of the statements of work, coordinating with vendors and contract management staff, and managing deliverables. Identifies projects and other needs for Operations Branch and associated costs, routes to leadership for approval. Monitors expenditures associated with contracts and projects, reviews, and approves vendor payments.

Participates in the review and analysis of legislation related to public health and medical preparedness and response.

Duties performed under the general supervision of the Operations Branch Director with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Employee actively participates in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) or State Operations Center (SOC) during a disaster response and/or recovery efforts and completes all training and exercise requirements.

CHEPR supports DSHS’s mission of providing response support to the State Medical Operations Center and/or State Operations Center, requires staff to report onsite within two hours, and the ability to work 12-14 hour shifts. Disaster response activations can require working in-person, 7-days a week, for as long as 2-4 weeks, or more.

This position is 100% grant funded and is contingent on grant funding.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

30% Manages the day-to-day activities of staff within assigned teams and ensures integration across the group, branch, and upwardly through to the Center Director. Oversees administrative activities for the Operations Team and Tactical Communications Team, including interviewing and hiring, assignments, performance planning, monitoring and evaluation, and time and leave management. Mentors staff, provides counseling, and promotes professional growth. Works to resolve conflict at the lowest level. Coordinates and evaluates team functionality to improve operations.

15% Works closely with the DSHS Contract Management Section to develop multiple response contracts, contingency contracts, and memorandum of agreements for the branch and SMOC to use during everyday operations and disasters. Develops and tracks progress of contracts through the procurement process to include development of the statements of work, coordination with vendors and DSHS contract management staff, and managing deliverables. Maintains Operations Branch financial requirements, monitors expenditures, reviews, and approves vendor payments related to preparedness and response. Identify training, supply, equipment requirements for the branch and associated costs.

15% Serves as a member of the CHEPR leadership team. Coordinates management strategies, goals, and objectives with section managers and directors. Assists with legislative inquiries and impact analysis of legislation regarding public health and medical preparedness and response. Participates in the review and analysis of legislation. Participates in local, state, and national workgroups as requested. Collaborates with internal and external preparedness and response partners. Provides technical assistance on public health and medical preparedness and response. Serves as the Incident Director or Deputy Director in the SMOC in the event of an emergency or disaster requiring DSHS or State of Texas response.

20% Oversees and directs the Operations Team in the development of procedures, response documents, and guidelines for public health and medical response operations for use by the staff during an activation of the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) and the State Operations Center (SOC). Develops structure and staffing plan for the SMOC, SOC, and deployable teams. Guides the development of job action sheets for each position within the SMOC and SOC. Evaluates and modifies response documents, procedures, and operating guidelines as needed. Ensures the State Medical Operations Center is operationally and physically ready for disaster response 24/7, 365. Ensures response documents and guidelines are compliant with the National Incidental Management System. Contributes to all After Action Report (AAR) evaluations, manages the integration of best practices/lessons learned into new policies and procedures for response operations. Assists with the development and execution of training and exercise activities which support DSHS responders in the SMOC, SOC, and/or deployable teams.

15% Oversees and directs the Tactical Communication Team (TACCOM) in the development of system enhancements to Texas Health Alert Network and other systems and processes including, but not limited to, WebEOC, to integrate information technology response applications into the SMOC and the mini-SMOC. 

5% Other duties as assigned include, but are not limited to, actively participating in or supporting the agency’s obligations for disaster response recovery as a member of the State Medical Operations Center or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relating to emergency management and public health and medical preparedness, response, and recovery. 

• Knowledge of the National Incidental Management System (NIMS) and the National Response Framework. 

• Knowledge of the basic concepts of planning, training, and exercising principles and methodologies. 

• Knowledge of organizational development, strategic planning, program planning, and program evaluation. 

• Knowledge in the use of communication tools such as WebEOC, and TxHAN. 

• Knowledge of contracting processes and procedures.

• Skill in project management. 

• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines. 

• Skill in effective written and verbal communication. 

• Skill in implementing plans and procedures. 

• Skill in developing training and exercising activities. 

• Skill in developing statements of work and contract deliverables.

• Skill in organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines.

• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others. 

• Ability to develop policies, procedures, and operating guidelines. 

• Ability to work effectively in a crisis. 

• Ability to foster partnerships and broker agreements with individuals and entities on a national, state, and local basis. 

• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports. 

• Ability to work flexible schedules including extended hours, nights and weekends.

•Ability to develop and manage contracts.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• 3 years of experience in administration, management and/or leading teams OR 2 years of experience as an Incident Command System Section Chief in an emergency operations center.
• Experience working with government contracts.
• Experience developing and implementing emergency/disaster preparedness/response procedures, plans and/or guidelines. 
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in emergency management, public health, healthcare, or a related field. 
• 5 years of experience in disaster preparedness and response and 2 years of experience in working with contracts may be substituted for education. 

Additional Information:

N/A

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