Smiles for Moms and Babies Coordinator

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:

Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work under the direction of the State Public Health Dental Director in the Oral Health Improvement Program (OHIP). Coordinates the Smiles for Moms and Babies (SMB) program to improve perinatal and infant oral health. Creates short- and long-term goals for SMB and implements projects. Evaluates SMB outcomes, identifies areas for improvement, and makes recommendations to the Dental Director. Involved in writing grant applications and reports. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

Implements strategies to meet Smiles for Moms and Babies (SMB) goals. Collaborates with coworkers and a variety of stakeholders. Follows work plans and stays on schedule. Applies quality improvement principles to improve outcomes. Provides timely updates to the Dental Director and informs them of challenges that may jeopardize a project. Identifies opportunities for improvement and makes recommendations to the Dental Director. (40%)

Follows or develops an SMB strategic plan. Creates short- and long-term goals that are measurable. Develops work plans and timelines. Identifies partners for collaboration. Creates evaluation plans and dissemination plans for project deliverables. Participates in grant activities including applications, reporting, work groups and grantee meetings. (25%)

Serves as an oral health subject matter expert. Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work for the agency and for stakeholders. Serves as an ambassador of OHIP, which includes attending and/or speaking at conferences, stakeholder events, and OHIP events. (20%)

Assists OHIP operational and administrative tasks as needed including but not limited strategic planning, orienting new OHIP team members, reviewing budgets, and assisting with contracts, audits, and inventories, etc. (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, Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) team.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: Public health principles and practices, oral health and its connections to overall health, strategic planning, and goal setting.

Skill in: Creating measurable goals to achieve an outcome, writing concisely and effectively with minimal errors, public speaking, or training, promoting oral health.

Ability to: Manage projects and stay on schedule, manage time effectively, demonstrate initiative and think creatively to solve problems, demonstrate attention to detail.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required: Must be an oral health subject matter expert. Examples include dental or dental hygiene degrees and work experience.

Preferred: History of public health coursework or public health work experience.

Additional Information:

This position is eligible for telework, which will be determined by agency and division telework policies. The employee will be required to come into the office, as directed, to fulfill essential job functions. DSHS will provide computer, related equipment, and basic office supplies. Selected applicants must have a home office location free from distraction, the ability to provide personal home internet service, and the ability to ensure confidentiality in the workplace.

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