Diabetes 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.

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Functional Title: Diabetes Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Chronic Disease Prevention 
Posting Number: 12284 
Closing Date: 01/06/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 
Salary Range: $4,021.00 - $4,937.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
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: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

Under the supervision of the Manager for the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease (DCVD) Branch in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Section within the Community Health Improvement (CHI) Division, performs complex consultative, educational, and technical assistance work for the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program (DPCP). Plans, develops, and implements diabetes projects in collaboration with the diabetes program team lead and other program staff. Assists in developing diabetes program policies, procedures, standards and manuals in accordance with program goals and objectives. Prepares diabetes resource and educational materials using evidence-based practices for contractors,stakeholders, and the public. Maintains and coordinates relationships with internal and external partners, and stakeholders. Facilitates effective communication between DSHS, federally funded partners, state funded partners and other partners statewide. Coordinates program objectives and ensures alignment of federal grant and state funded contract goals. Monitors continuous quality improvement to support diabetes prevention and self-management efforts. Contributes to the development of strategic partnerships, identifies areas for program improvement and growth, and provides insights to team members. Maintains a comprehensive record of all partner interactions, memorandums of agreement, and correspondence. Assists manager and team lead with special projects, section assignments and program activities coordination. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for 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.

(35%) Maintains DPCP’s relationships with partners and stakeholders. Coordinates communication and collaboration between funded and non-funded partners implementing diabetes prevention and management programs across the state, to achieve common goals. Ensures that contractors adhere to regulations, and compliance standards relevant to diabetes prevention and management evidence-based interventions, and assists them in meeting these requirements. Works with the program team lead to allocate and leverage program resources to support contractors’ needs, such as providing or facilitating access to technical assistance, training, technology, capacity building and partnership development. Works with internal and external partners to identify and address barriers that arise as they implement diabetes interventions. Contributes to the development of program strategic plans and goals as they relate to contracts and partnerships. Leads the planning and facilitation of quarterly State Engagement calls for state and federally funded partners. Coordinates with other diabetes program staff to ensure synergy between contract activities, grant strategies and other non-funded projects and activities. Provides assistance to the diabetes team in the development and management of contract scopes of work, deliverables, and budgets

(25%) Completes special projects as assigned, and assists with developing timelines, collecting, organizing, analyzing and/or preparing materials and responses to requests from section or division offices. These include open records requests, legislative requests, legislatively mandated reports and state plans, rule amendments, bill analysis, grant applications, and information and data gathering as needed. Develops, reviews, evaluates and updates diabetes resource and educational materials for contractors, stakeholders and the public, using evidence-based practices. Provides complex consultative services and technical assistance to diabetes program contractors, other external partners and stakeholders. Develops, edits and routes the Diabetes News You Can Use (DNYCU) newsletter for publication on a quarterly basis.

(20%). Serves as the diabetes program point of contact for projects that require collaboration with other internal programs and groups, such as the Obesity Prevention Program, the Chronic Disease Epidemiology (CDE) team and the Communications team. Provides input to the team lead and manager regarding activities and performance measures associated with the federal grants. Monitors the diabetes inbox and coordinates outgoing correspondence.

(15%) Assists in developing diabetes  program policies, procedures, standards and manuals in accordance with program goals and objectives; monitors quality improvement to support diabetes prevention and self-management programs.

(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. To perform these job duties, this position may require working the extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications

N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of evidence-based practices and strategies for chronic disease prevention and management.

Knowledge of program planning, implementation, and evaluation methods.

Knowledge of partnership development strategies, coalitions and/or stakeholder engagement.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to diabetes.

Skill in programmatic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Skill in planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and managing multiple projects and activities.

Skill in communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.

Skill in meeting preparation including group process and facilitation.

Skill in identifying measures or indicators for program performance.

Skill in problem solving and project management.

Skill in use of Microsoft Office computer software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and other presentation software programs.

Ability to work closely and effectively with an interdisciplinary team and with external groups

Ability to solve problems, coordinate activities, set priorities and manage multiple deadlines.

Ability to plan, develop, and implement community-based programs with a population-based perspective.

Ability to provide technical assistance, consultation, and training for staff, contractors, and other stakeholders.

Ability to establish and maintain effective and collaborative working relationships and to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations and in making recommendations.

Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders based on shared priorities

Ability to abide by Department of State Health Services Universal Expectations, Guiding Principles, Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Initial Screening Criteria

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public health, health education, health promotion, nutrition, nursing, or a related field. Knowledge of chronic disease and/or diabetes prevention and management preferred.

Additional Information

Information on the application must clearly state how the applicant meets initial selection criteria to be interviewed. An in-basket activity will be required at time of interview.

Agency salary policy, budget, and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without employer’s sponsorship.

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