Public Health Policy Analyst

It is no secret that public health, as a discipline, faces sizable, ongoing challenges. The Texas Department of State Health Services’ (DSHS) Center for Public Health Policy and Practice (the Center) seeks to lessen the impact of those challenges by working to improve the health of all Texans, with an emphasis on those most vulnerable, through linking policy, research, partnerships, and workforce development to public health practice.

The Public Health Policy Analyst will join a highly engaged and impactful team whose core function is to analyze healthcare policies, assess their impact on public health, perform advanced research on health care policies and industry trends as well as monitor, review and evaluate relevant legislation. Under the Director of the Office of Public Health Policy’s (OPHP) guidance, this position will also be responsible for providing public health policy guidance and support implementation and ongoing management of program initiatives related to agency-wide public health policy and public health system improvement work.

This position will plan, prioritize, and perform public policy research and provide policy development support for DSHS programs; coordinate or conduct independent comprehensive research of public health best practices and examples of return on investment; and synthesize research into concise briefings, reports, issue papers, and memorandum for senior and executive management review and decision-making. This position will also support agency-wide work to improve the health of vulnerable populations by providing subject matter expert guidance on improvement initiatives; provide highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance to DSHS public health regions, contractors, and programs; provide highly advanced (senior-level) business operations functions for the Center; and advise and consult with senior management on developing and implementing effective techniques for evaluating agency and contractor activities. The position will also help support Center leadership with committees, councils and collaborative opportunities with external entities.

This position will work under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.  

Essential Job Functions:

1. (25%) Develops and assists others with the development of public health policy documents including responses to federal rules. Plans, prioritizes, and performs complex policy research and policy development support. Coordinates and conducts independent, comprehensive research of best practices and state options and synthesizes research into concise briefing and analysis documents. Prepares high-quality briefing documents, issue papers, correspondence, bill analyses, and memorandum for senior and executive management review and decision-making.

2. (25%) Supports agency-wide work to improve the health of all Texans through providing high-level advice and counsel on improvement initiatives, discussion facilitation, and policy review. Provides highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance to public health regions, contractors, and programs. Assists management in writing cross-agency and contractor policies, procedures, and standards; and planning activities in alignment with program goal and objectives.

3. (25%) Advises and consults with management and executive leadership on developing and implementing effective techniques for evaluating agency and contractor activities, identifying the need for new initiatives, and providing technical assistance to staff in the development and integration of new techniques. Coordinates with different sections of the Center to achieve optimal work production across the board. Collaborates with Center section team members to provide a clear strategy for accomplishing project goals and objectives.

4. (20%) Establishes, facilitates, and sets goals and objectives for collaborative cross-agency workgroups and develops work products. Workgroups will include staff from all impacted areas within DSHS and external stakeholders, as appropriate. Prepares and supports the development of responses to funding opportunities for community health improvement partnership building, and cross-agency work, including budget evaluation. Represents CPHPP and DSHS at meetings and conferences.

5. (5%) Other duties as assigned, which may 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. CPHPP is an active partner in response activities. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: Current driver's license  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, administrative rules, program policies, and procedures relevant to DSHS program areas.
Knowledge of HHS programs and services.
Knowledge of the Texas legislative process.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health.
Knowledge of research techniques.
Knowledge of business operations and process improvement practices.

Skill in the use of a computer and standard office software.
Skill in analyzing problems and devising effective solutions.
Skill in report writing and presenting findings.
Skill in managing multiple simultaneous priorities and/or projects.
Skill in policy development and project planning
Skill in public speaking

Ability to compile, review, and analyze data.
Ability to prepare reports, to maintain accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing for a wide variety of audiences.
Ability to gather information from a variety of sources and synthesize and translate detailed information into simpler terms. Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about research, procedures, or DSHS policies.
Ability to plan, organize and conduct assigned phases of complex projects.
 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public health, sociology, social work, community health, or a related discipline is required. Experience in program development, research and analysis, developing briefing documents and grant management is preferred. At least 5 years of full-time experience in public health policy or similar. A graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for two years of experience.

Preferred:
Advanced degree in public health is preferred.
Work experience within the HHS Enterprise is preferred.