Deputy Regional Director

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: Deputy Regional Director 
Job Title: Director IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 11 
Posting Number: 12254 
Closing Date: 07/14/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-29 
Salary Range: $8,488.33 - $13,167.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: HARLINGEN 
Job Location Address: 601 W SESAME DR 
Other Locations: Harlingen; Cameron; Mcallen 
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

Brief job description:
Under the direction of the Regional Medical Director (RMD), works with the RMD to provide the overall strategic and programmatic direction of the region. Provides advanced (senior-level) leadership work in planning, implementation, supervision and monitoring all operational activities of the region. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Responsible for the managerial direction of comprehensive evidence-informed public health programs and services for the region. Responsible for policy interpretation and guidance, development of processes and procedures, coordinating services with local health departments and partners, and regularly monitoring the use of resources to impact public health. In the absence of the RMD, the Deputy Regional Director will act on their behalf, except in situations that under law or applicable policy require the services of a licensed physician. Directly supervises assigned team members. Provides daily leadership to regional programs, facilitating meetings and communicating with internal and external public health partners to meet identified objectives and maintain essential public health services. Member of the Incident Command Structure in response to public health emergencies. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, and Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards. Must be able to travel independently throughout the state of Texas. This position is office-based in the Harlingen office, Monday- Friday 8:00 am - 5 pm.

Essential Job Function:

(30%) Programmatic Operations:
Provides direction and guidance to senior regional program managers, including but not limited to, the following areas: Environmental and Consumer Inspections, Population-based programs, Regional Administration, and Specialized Health and Social Services,• Responsible for programmatic oversight, management and evaluation of program activities to assure
effective and efficient use of regional resources to meet program goals.
• Responsible for ensuring senior program managers develop work plans and utilize strategic planning
tools to collaborate across programs to meet goals/objectives and evaluate each program’s overall effectiveness in addressing identified community needs.
• Ensures programmatic performance measures are accomplished through timely and accurate submittal of reports/documents and develops corrective action plans to remediate any deficiencies.
• Identifies and implements changes to improve program operations.
• Leads the development and implementation of special public health initiatives.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

(30%) Human Resources:
Supervises, mentors and coaches senior program managers within assigned programs as well as the Regional Administration team.
• Ensures compliance with Health and Human Services Human Resource policies by providing direction and guidance in collaboration with Health and Human Services Human Resources and Legal representatives (as needed) for actions and responses including, but not limited to, hiring process, promotion/re-classification, organizational change, time and leave, merit rewards, administrative leave, performance reviews, performance improvement plans, disciplinary action, reasonable accommodation requests, administrative complaints and discrimination complaints.
• Assures regional new employee orientation, staff development opportunities and continued required licensure training and program accountability for program staff.
• Maintains compliance with DSHS Policy, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and
  Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

(20%) Budget Management
Oversight of regional program budgets including forecasting, monitors expenditures, ensure funds are expended within approved budget and communicates with DSHS leadership about budget challenges.
• Reviews and approves regional purchases, claims forms, and expenditures.• Responds to legislative inquires and request for information including participating in developing
  legislative appropriate requests.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

(10%) Community Outreach Partnerships
Promote collaboration with community partners to ensure appointment of local health authorities and the establishment of community coalitions that increase public health essential services in communities without a local health department.
• Represents the agency and provides information on public health operations at community meetings, hearings, legislative sessions, conferences and seminars or on boards, panels and committees.
• Liaison between DSHS Division Offices and local health departments and community partners.
• Facilitates major initiatives and services involving multiple public health jurisdictions to build strategic relationships and achieve common goals.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

(5%) Facility and Resource Management:
Oversees and manages coordination with HHSC Regional Administrative Services (RAS) to ensure all regional offices provide a safe working environment regional team members to complete essential job functions including coordination of lease renewal or acquisition of new facilities.
• Ensure state-provided resources are distributed, tracked, maintained and inventoried for regional team members to complete essential job functions.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

(5%) Public Health Emergency/Disaster Response/Recovery
Required to carry a state-cell phone and be on-call 24 hours/7 days a week/365 days a year to respond to public health emergencies and other operational requests.
• Ensures appropriate public health responses to routine and emergency issues.• May be required to work other than normal business hours, an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location to respond to public health emergencies.
• Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response/recovery/Continuity of Operations activation- requires completion of at least Incident Command System 100,200, 300, 400, 700 and 800 courses.
• Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job function.

Initial Screening Criteria:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public health, health sciences, public administration, healthcare administration, social services, nursing or other related field. (required)
Masters or Doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in public health, health sciences, public administration, healthcare administration, social services, nursing or other related field. (preferred)
Application documents at least 5 years’ experience working in a public health setting with increasing responsibilities and a leadership role. (required)
Application documents experience in budget management. (required)
Application documents experience in personnel management, with a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience (required).
Application documents experience in managing multiple programs in a public health or healthcare setting. (preferred)
Application documents experience with developing and managing contracts. (preferred)
Experience in disaster response activities. (preferred)
Certified in Public Health, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES or MCHES); Community Health Worker (CHW); or other public health related certification. (preferred)

Licensure, Certification or Registration (Required)
•    Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver license, or equivalent license from another state.
•    Certified in Public Health, Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES or MCHES); Community Health Worker (CHW); or other public health related certification, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Required)
Knowledge of: Structure and functions of Texas local, regional and state public health structure. Evidence-informed public health practices and guidelines. Knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to public health. Management methods utilized in public administration. Knowledge and skill in applying principals and techniques of administration and supervision. Budgeting and contracting procedures. Problem resolution methods and ability to facilitate resolution plans.
Skill in: Leading, mentoring, coaching and supervising direct reports. Devising/Developing solutions to administrative and personnel problems. Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to
problems. Strategic planning and implementation. Applying human resource policies, budget allocation and funding procedures. Planning, directing and coordinating the work of public health programs. Verbal, written and presentation skills to communicate effectively with team
members and partners. Supervision in a complex system. Fostering an environment of trust and active learning. Continuous improvement.
Ability to: Direct and guide including planning, organizing, coordinating and facilitating multiple priorities, projects and programs. Interpret and apply statues and regulations to operations. Think strategically about health issues facing the community and find creative solutions.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff including agency executives, regional staff and other public health partners. Maintain effective public relations when coordinating activities among public, private and professional groups. Promote, model and foster all of DSHS’s Guiding Principles and Ethics policies. Effectively evaluate, analyze, plan, monitor, coordinate and implement regional initiatives. Effectively coordinate activities among public, private and professional groups. Assure the continued implementation of the quality initiatives within the agency, promoting and participating in team management activities. Interact effectively with groups and individuals. Utilize and model the quality principles, concepts and processes in the management of diverse program managers and in interaction with community partners. Independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.
NOTE: Position must reside within Public Health Region 11 and work in-person Monday-Friday at the Public Health Region 11 Headquarters
office in Harlingen.

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