AHERA Program 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.

Functional Title: AHERA Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Environmental 
Posting Number: 14797 
Closing Date: 03/27/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

**PLEASE NOTE: The posted salary range is the full range for this position. Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Typically, salary offers are at or near the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors.**

Performs moderately complex (journey-level) consultative and technical assistance work for environmental regulatory programs under the team leadership of the Asbestos Program Team Lead and the supervision of the Asbestos, Lead and HazCom Operations Branch Manager. Work involves providing consultative services and technical assistance regarding state and federal asbestos regulations to program staff, governmental agencies, regulated entities, and the general public. Performs comprehensive technical reviews of inspection and investigation reports conducted under the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act (TAHPA) and Rules, the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and the Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA), with a primary focus on AHERA. Evaluates inspection report evidence and recommends, prepares, and presents cases for escalated enforcement. May testify in court cases as an expert witness. Provides training, technical consultation and interpretations of state and federal regulations to license holders, the public, and department staff. Develops outreach materials, guidance documents, and performs public speaking. Responds to Legislative and media requests for information. Receives and tracks AHERA-related complaints to ensure investigation and resolution. Assists with the analysis of legislation and coordinates with stakeholders, legal counsel, and program staff to develop rule language. Serves as program liaison with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) staff, administers the EPA AHERA cooperative grant, and submits required reports to EPA. Performs other duties as assigned by the Team Lead and Manager to meet the needs of the Branch and Environmental Section. Duties also include participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned. Work is performed under general supervision with moderate 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.

45% As an independent technical reviewer, exercises moderate latitude for independent judgment in comprehensive reviews of inspection reports submitted by the Inspections Unit staff to ensure the appropriate application of asbestos regulatory standards set forth by the federal Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA) - 40CFR Part 763, Subpart E; the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act (TAHPA) -Texas Occupations Code, Chapter 1954; the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) - 25 Texas Administrative Code, Chapter 296; and the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) - Title 40 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61. Comprehensive reviews include an evaluation of the report content, evidence development (written violations, photos, samples, records), and documentation. Endorses inspection findings and determines when violations warrant referral to the Compliance Review Committee (CRC) for escalated enforcement action based upon severity level, repeated non-compliance and other established policy and criteria. Performs inspection reviews and documents endorsement activities using the Division’s Regulatory Automated System (RAS). Prepares case summaries using Microsoft Excel and Word. Presents cases, including compliance history and enforcement summaries to the CRC. Recommends routine notice of non-compliance letters or escalated enforcement action for assessment of administrative penalties. Participates in informal administrative conferences to provide guidance and interpretations of applicable laws and regulations. Monitors the resolution of enforcement cases to ensure proper application of regulatory requirement. Coordinates follow-up inspections to evaluate compliance with legal orders. May assist in conducting joint inspections during special assignments and escalated enforcement cases. May be called upon as a technical expert witness to provide testimony legal case. Consults with Asbestos Program Team Lead and with Inspections and Compliance Unit staff as needed to ensure equitable and consistent regulatory compliance program statewide. May also assist in reviewing inspection reports for other regulated programs as necessary to meet the needs of the Asbestos, Lead and HazCom Operations Branch. 

15 % Provides training, technical consultation and interpretations of state and federal asbestos regulations to license holders, department staff, members of the public, and government or private agencies. Guidance provided may include regulatory interpretations of asbestos licensing, training, or notification requirements, determinations of jurisdiction over asbestos-related activities, and proper documentation of inspection findings in written documents, photos, samples, and record collection. Responds to telephone, email, or fax requests for information regarding AHERA or general asbestos regulations. Responds to Legislative and media requests for information, following department policies and procedures. May also assist in responding to requests for information for other environmental regulatory programs as required to meet the needs of the Branch. Develops regulatory clarifications, outreach materials, and guidance documents. Coordinates with program staff to identify and prepare the type of materials needed. Maintains the AHERA program website, updating as needed to maintain current information. Conducts training for inspections field staff. Performs public speaking and prepares presentations using Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Presents various classes, seminars, and training material to licensees, department staff, members of the public and other government or private agencies concerning various issues pertaining to AHERA requirements.

10% Receives tracks and responds to asbestos-related public complaints as needed to comply with applicable statutory requirements. Receives complaints from the public, industry and other government entities and obtains information necessary to determine regulatory jurisdiction, risk, and priority. Requests complaint investigations or refers to other local, state, or federal agency as appropriate. Tracks open complaints to ensure action is being taken to resolve the complaint. Researches and resolves open complaints with no action. Provides quarterly reports to the Asbestos Programs Team Lead and Branch Manager to review and summarize the status of open complaints. Reviews complaint investigation summaries, endorses findings, and recommends escalated enforcement as necessary. Provides quarterly reports to complainants regarding the status of their complaint. Works closely with program staff and Inspections Unit to ensure that complaints are investigated and resolved in a timely manner.

10% Reviews AHERA asbestos management plans submitted by schools to ensure completeness. Provides a written response to schools to document receipt of the management plan. Ensures efficient tracking and referral of the management plan documents to the state library.

5% Assists in the analysis of legislation and development of asbestos rules packages, coordinating with advisory committee members, stakeholders, legal counsel, and program staff to develop rule language. Makes recommendations for new and amended rules, ensures notification and participation of stakeholders, and drafts rule language. Assists in preparing proposed rule packages following department policies and procedures. Participates in ad hoc advisory committee meetings and/or public meetings as needed to obtain stakeholder feedback.

10% Serves as project officer and primary liaison for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) AHERA grant. Works closely with the Asbestos and Lead Grants Coordinator to develop and submit grant applications and quarterly and end of year reports to EPA. Ensure all department policies and procedures are followed and department timelines are met. Coordinates with the Asbestos Program Team Lead and Inspections Unit to obtain data for reporting asbestos-related activities to EPA on a quarterly basis. Functions as the liaison with department and EPA staff to answer questions and provide updates on grant activities.

5% Performs other duties as assigned, including participating in emergency response training and performing emergency response activities as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to asbestos, including the Texas Asbestos Health Protection Act (TAHPA) and Rules, the National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), and the Asbestos Hazards Emergency Response Act (AHERA).

Knowledge of technical aspects of occupational health and safety as related to asbestos.

Knowledge of investigation and audit procedures, evidence development and general legal proceedings.

Skill in:

Skill in technical writing, verbal communication, and public speaking.

Skill in various computer applications and related software, including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Versa Regulatory System.

Ability to:

Ability to communicate technical information at various levels of understanding.

Ability to be tactful and diplomatic in adverse situations.

Ability to work effectively and cooperatively with co-workers, teams, supervisor, managers, the regulated community, the public, and professionals at all levels of government and industry.

 Ability to use proper inspection procedures and logic pathways to determine the compliance status of licensees.

Ability to interpret policy and procedures, and the ability to respond to inquiries regarding same from both internal and external customers.

Ability to exercise extensive latitude and independent judgment to coordinate and prioritize workloads with minimal supervision.

Ability to coordinate, organize, and prioritize workloads and to adhere to schedules.

Ability to coordinate and/or supervise activities between Units, and make the best use of resources.

Ability to travel (in-state and out-of-state), as necessary, to attend technical training courses, to perform outreach, to perform inspections, and to conduct training and evaluations of Inspection unit field staff.

Ability to climb and move up to 25 pounds during inspections. Ability to perform inspections of attics, crawlspaces and asbestos enclosures, may require climbing ladders and scaffolding.

Ability to adhere to agency policies and procedures.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Education:

Prefer a bachelor's degree or semester hours in physical or natural science, architecture, or engineering from an accredited four-year college or university.

Experience:

Require experience interpreting regulations, policy and procedures, and responding to inquiries from internal or external customers.

Prefer experience in the field of environmental or consumer health and safety.

Prefer experience reviewing technical inspection, investigation, or audit reports to ensure compliance with regulations. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information:

1. Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application may be disqualified.

1. PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, specific reason for leaving, and a summary of experience must clearly state how applicant meets the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification.

1. RESUMES DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO ENTER ALL REQUIRED INFORMATION IN THE APPLICATION (“See Resume” is not acceptable on the application) NOR FOR SUPPLEMENTAL CONSIDERATION IN MEETING INITIAL CRITERIA. Resumes attached and/or pasted into the resume field may not be considered equivalent to the State Application.

1. Applicants selected for interview will be required to complete a proficiency/skills test at the time of the interview (e.g. Excel or writing).

1. Telework two to three days a week may be available for this position. This position’s ability to telework will be determined by agency and division telework policies and 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. If teleworking, 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.
   
   
2. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work extended hours.

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

1. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHS Human Resources Manual. Internal applicants are encouraged to check the HR manual for any potential changes to their current salary.

1. Consideration will also be given to known past job performance, if applicable, and prior work history.

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