Community Outreach and Volunteer 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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Functional Title: Community Outreach and Volunteer Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Hlth Emer Preparedness Respons 
Posting Number: 14872 
Closing Date: 03/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RBB) 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Under the direction of Manager III, this position allows for considerable initiative and independent judgment. Working within the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response’s (CHEPR) Preparedness Management Unit, coordinates statewide volunteer and community outreach programs, including the Texas Medical Reserve Corps (MRC), TexasReady, a personal preparedness website, and the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry (TDVR). Responsible for the strategic planning, implementation, and growth of programs. Provides consultative services to local and regional partners on volunteer recruitment, engagement, and preparedness activities. Analyzes program data and prepares reports for stakeholders and DSHS leadership. Develops and maintains awareness of public health and medical preparedness issues. Supports disaster response activities. Actively participates in disaster response by serving in a role in the State Medical Operation Center and/or the State Operation Center activations.

Essential Job Functions

40% Develops and evaluates community outreach programs to expand the statewide volunteer network and Medical Reserve Corps coverage across Texas. Facilitates monthly coordination calls with MRC unit leaders to provide guidance, share best practices, and promote collaboration. Identifies opportunities for new and existing MRC units and provides technical assistance to volunteer organizations.

30% Develops strategic plans for the Texas Ready Program, including goals, target audiences, messaging strategies, and evaluation metrics. Creates educational materials, website content, and media campaigns in collaboration with DSHS Communications. Conducts community presentations on emergency preparedness. Analyzes program data to measure impact and effectiveness. Prepares reports and presentations for DSHS leadership, state officials, and federal partners. Monitors the Texas Ready inbox to process warehouse orders of Texas Ready materials and resources.

10% Manages the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry (TDVR), ensuring system functionality and user accessibility. Coordinates with the vendor for system maintenance and updates. Develops and delivers training programs for MRC units and other system end users on system navigation, credentialing, and notification processes. Creates training materials and promotes statewide system adoption. Monitors system performance and user feedback to identify improvements.

10% Builds partnerships with preparedness stakeholders, such as Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), Volunteer Organizations Active in Disasters (VOADs), local health departments, healthcare coalitions, and other stakeholders. Participates in planning meetings, workgroups, and exercises to identify opportunities for MRCs. Represents the DSHS community outreach program at state and regional meetings.

10% Supports disaster response as assigned, including serving in the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC), and/or State Operations Center (SOC), which may require alternate shifts, extended hours, to include weekends and holidays, as well as assignment to different duty locations. May serve in the SMOC as state lead for public health and medical volunteer coordination. Maintains regular attendance and performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

1. Knowledge of public health and medical preparedness.
2. Knowledge of the Texas Disaster Volunteer Registry.
3. Knowledge of the Texas Ready Program.
4. Knowledge of the Medical Reserve Corps.
5. Knowledge of organizational development, strategic planning, program planning, and evaluation.
6. Skill in team building
7. Skill in implementing strategic plans and procedures.
8. Skill in preparing concise reports.
9. Skill in providing technical assistance to a variety of stakeholders.
10. Skill in organizing and prioritizing workload and meeting deadlines for simultaneous tasks.
11. Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
12. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing in English.
13. Ability to establish goals/objectives, action items, timelines, and strategies.
14. Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
15. Ability to work in a team environment.

Initial Screening Criteria

• At least one year of experience leading a team or directing/supervising the work of others.
• At least three years of experience in public health or a bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, public policy, or related field.
• At least one year of experience in program development, implementation and/or evaluation.

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