Program Specialist VII Job at Dept of State Health Services

Dept of State Health Services Austin, TX 78756

The Evaluation and Performance Management Specialist performs highly advanced (senior-level) planning, evaluation, and reporting work to meet federal grant requirements. Collaborates with the DSHS Workforce Director and staff in Regional and Local Health Operations Division (RLHO), Center for Health Policy and Performance, Business Support and Planning, Human Resources, Center for Health Statistics, Office of the Chief State Epidemiologist, and other internal and external partners to develop, plan, and implement evaluation activities and strategies related to public health workforce, infrastructure, and data systems. Leads and implements evaluation, assessment, data collection, and performance measure reporting activities; evaluates data sources; analyzes data; and produces written reports. Shares needs and best practices with internal and external partners to meet grant requirements and improve public health workforce, infrastructure, and data systems. Works under minimal supervision of the RLHO Division Deputy Associate Commissioner, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.


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



(25%) Serves as lead for program evaluation and performance measurement for the Strengthening U.S. Public Health Infrastructure, Workforce, and Data Systems grant. Collaborates with the Workforce Director and staff in Regional and Local Health Operations Division, Center for Health Policy and Performance, Business Support and Planning, Human Resources, Center for Health Statistics, and Office of the Chief State Epidemiologist to develop and plan evaluation activities and strategies to meet grant requirements and workforce and business needs. Develops strategies and evaluates available data sources for workforce and foundational capabilities to determine if additional data sources or needs assessments are required. Guides continuous quality improvement activities for DSHS workforce recruitment, retention, and engagement initiatives based on evaluation results. Coordinates with grant administration team on development of reporting requirements for subrecipients, to meet grant requirements. Ensures development of evaluation and performance measurement plan and works with grant administration team to revise workplans as necessary. Participates in ongoing planning discussions related to workforce development, taking lead on program evaluation and performance measurement initiatives to achieve DSHS grant goal of accelerated prevention, preparedness, and response to emerging health threats and improved public health outcomes.

(30%) Implements internal evaluation activities, targeted evaluation projects, assessments, case studies, interviews, and/or other relevant activities as planned. Analyzes evaluation and assessment data and uses results to guide development of policies and procedures for agency-wide workforce recruitment, retention, professional development, and engagement initiatives. Compiles and analyzes workforce and other data for required performance measure reporting. Produces reports summarizing key findings, successes, opportunities, barriers, and challenges. As Team Lead, trains, leads, assigns and/or prioritizes the work of others.

(15%) Oversees progress reporting and use of grant performance measures to demonstrate achievement of project outcomes. Coordinates with grant administration team to ensure timely reporting of performance measures and workplan milestones from DSHS programs and subrecipient local health entities.

(20%) Collaborates and coordinates with internal and external partners to ensure achievement of evaluation and performance measure reporting requirements in the Public Health Infrastructure grant. Participates in technical assistance calls to receive evaluation support; share evaluation tools, strategies, and other best practices; facilitate access to information and data needed to achieve grant milestones and performance measures; and leverage tools and strategies to build and strengthen partnerships related to grant projects and workforce development.

(5%) Coordinates with Workforce Director to track and provide technical assistance for agency participation in relevant national and state organizational and workforce assessments to describe the public health workforce and foundational capabilities, such as PHWINS, ASTHO Profile, NACCHO Profile, Lab Testing Capacity, Epidemiology Capacity Assessments, and Survey of Employee Engagement.

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned including but 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 Abilities:
Knowledge of strategic planning and program evaluation
Knowledge of current principles and practices of process improvement, continuous quality improvement.
Knowledge of organizational and strategic planning.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in program evaluation.
Skill in leadership, communication, and public speaking.
Skill in developing reports and presentations.
Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft Office.
Skill in data analysis.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to develop, implement, and track required deliverables.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to prepare reports and communicate technical information to be understandable to audiences that lack specific technical knowledge.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups and individuals.
Ability to establish goals and objectives.
Ability to make independent and sound technical judgments.
Ability to organize workload, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to take initiative and lead teams.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None


Initial Selection Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field with a master’s degree in a related field preferred.
Three years experience doing program evaluation and data analytics work.


Additional Information:
Applicants who meet initial screening criteria will be required to take a skills test. Applicants who pass the skills test will be offered an interview.

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Agency salary policy, budget, and candidate’s qualifications will dictate the final salary offer.

MOS Code:
16GX, 86MO, 631X

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In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.




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