Public Health and Prevention Specialist

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description

Under the supervision of the Office of Border Public Health (OBPH) Manager, this position formulates, develops and implements the program’s public health promotion activities. Develop goals, objectives, evaluations and expected outcomes for health promotion/education programs. Prepare bilingual (Spanish/English) training material and syllabuses for use in public health trainings and courses. Provide bilingual (Spanish/English) technical assistance, training and presentations utilizing audiovisual equipment to internal/external customers on environmental health, community sanitation, reportable diseases, chronic conditions and other public and preventive health issues. Develop and update bilingual (Spanish/English) health promotion materials, e.g. flyers, forms, presentations, press releases and other documents as needed utilizing computer software. Respond to requests for assistance and guidance from the public, or may support other regional programs on public health issues as assigned. Participate in the organization of meetings and conferences as assigned. Participate in community surveys/ studies as assigned by conducting surveys or reviews to determine compliance. Require individual planning, accuracy, and management of multiple tasks, organization, initiative and flexibility in carrying out duties. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
 

Essential Job Functions

(35%) Assist the Public Health and Prevention Specialist (PHPS) V with the following: (1) implementation and evaluation of community-based healthy border initiatives including the planning and development of annual work plans, goals and objectives and the completion and monitoring of efficiency procedures for those annual work plans to improve the health conditions and reduce community health hazards of border communities; (2) collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of border public health educational materials in response to public health information and report requests; (3) development of border public health training and educational curriculums for delivery to program staff, community health workers, and border communities and stakeholders; (4) creation and administration of initiative and training evaluation tools; (5) evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of border public health initiatives and training and education programs. Prepares bilingual (Spanish and English) training materials for presentations, including but not limited to flyers, slides, transparencies, press releases, public service announcements and other audiovisual aids utilizing computer software. Coordinates and participates in bilingual presentations and health fairs. Works with and speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program to secure for local public health programs.

(20%) Provides assistance to the OBPH manager and OBPH Public Health and Prevention Specialist V in the planning and promotion of the OBPH Healthy Border 2020 initiative to federal, state and local/county agencies and groups. Provides assistance and guidance to the general public or other Health Service Regional programs on border public health issues. Assist the OBPH manager in the tracking of work plan deliverables, preparation of administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects as well as, providing consultative services to plan, implement, and monitor effective border health programs.

(20%) Assist the PHPS V with the following: (1) implementation of training needs assessments and environmental scans to understand the current capacity and knowledge of border community health workers and public health workforce to identify gaps in training and provide technical assistance where needed; (2) documentation of challenges and opportunities for partner collaborations; and, (4) identification of best practices for developing and deploying comprehensive curriculums. Conducts focus groups and/or group discussions related to community-based healthy border initiatives. Performs data analysis for the planning and coordination of border community-based healthy border initiatives to include development and implementation of techniques for evaluating border community-based healthy border initiatives. Collects, analyzes, and uses data to educate and mobilize border communities, develop priorities, garner resources, and plan actions to improve the border public's health to include systematically collecting and analyzing data to provide a basis on decision making of community-based healthy border initiatives. Collaborates with the Office of Border Public Health Epidemiologist to develop a list of health indicators and definitions available for border counties. 

(20%) Performs administrative duties to include: monitoring and tracking annual work plans, preparing program budgets reports; ordering and maintaining an organized adequate inventory to include educational materials and office supplies; and, submitting performance measures and other monthly and quarterly reports accurately and timely as required by the program.

(5%) Other duties as assigned (marginal functions) 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Bilingual/Biliterate (English/Spanish) required.

Knowledge of facilitation methods.
Knowledge of educational and presentation techniques.
Knowledge of Mexican public health systems and programs.
Knowledge of departmental program, policies and procedures, of the relevant laws and pertinent techniques of management, evaluation and program monitoring.
Knowledge of computers, hardware or peripherals, and software.

Skill in operating audio-visual equipment.
Skill in time management and organization.
Skill in technical writing.

Ability to follow regulations, procedures, policies and proper protocols of local, state and federal health departments/entities.
Ability to translate complicated information into practical and useful reports.
Ability to clearly present information orally and influence others in positive or negative circumstances.
Ability to work effectively and productively with other professionals and individuals on both sides of the US/Mexico border.
Ability to be resourceful and apply initiative to assigned projects and tasks and complete tasks with minimal supervision.
Ability to travel away from headquarters and function effectively from these locations to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures.
Ability to create registry systems and spreadsheets.
Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to plan, coordinate and organize community meeting and conferences.
Ability to develop goals, objectives, evaluation tools and to measure expected outcomes.
Ability to work independently, managing multiple tasks and prioritizing assignments.
Ability to work well with others, exercising professional demeanor and team work.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Current Community Health Worker Certification in Texas and/or current Community Health Worker Instructor Certification in Texas or must be in the process of receiving CHW/CHW-I certification (certification must be completed and is required within 6 months of employment).

Initial Selection Criteria

1. Bilingual (English/Spanish) speak, read, and write required.
2. Current Community Health Worker Certification in Texas and/or current Community Health Worker Instructor Certification in Texas or must be in the process of receiving CHW/CHW-I certification (certification must be completed and is required within 6 months of employment).
3. Headquartered in Harlingen and the ability to complete field work.
4. Experience in public health or related field, preferred.
5. Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint).
6. Available for an alternate work schedule including weekends and holidays.

Additional Information

NOTE: May require working hours other than 8-5, M-F
Must comply with DSHS immunizations policy

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