Grant and CQI Coordinator

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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: Grant and CQI Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Microbiology 
Posting Number: 12913 
Closing Date: 02/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,125.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
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 (DBGL) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Microbiology Quality Improvement & Testing Support Branch Manager, performs highly advanced consultative, coordinative, and technical assistance work. Identifies grants appropriate for the Microbiology Section that can fund new or existing programs and activities. Composes and coordinates the submission of grant applications, reports, and scientific publications. Develops and monitors work plans, timelines, and deliverables for achieving grant objectives, evaluates and prioritizes activities, and coordinates and facilitates the development of processes with stakeholders and DSHS staff. Plans, develops, manages, implement, and monitors continuous quality improvement and technology upgrade projects for the Section. Plans, implements, and oversees other Section projects and activities. Plans and coordinates student trainging experiences for the DSHS Laboratory. Performs outreach and presentations for laboratory recruitment. Provides customer and legislative requested laboratory data, statistical analyses, and written reports. Oversees, organizes, and performs complex data and statistical analyses, and prepares reports and action memorandums. Maintains and improves overall customer satisfaction of Section programs through effective communication. Serves as the Section contact and coordinator for Continuity of Operations activities. Assists with the oversight of the daily operations and activities of the Section. Develops and maintains positive working relationships. Works under limited direction with extensive 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.

EJF1. Identifies appropriate grants that complement microbiology laboratory activities and goals in support of the Branch, Microbiology Section, and Public Health Laboratory Division as required. Prepares and organizes submission of grant applications. Works closely with the Laboratory Grant Coordinator and laboratory staff to plan, develop, and write proposal, objectives, timeline, and budget estimates for the grant period. Ensures that submissions of appropriate requests for grant application are completed in a timely manner. For awarded grants, develops timelines for deliverables defined in grants, oversees grant deliverable compliance, maintains cost accounting records, and reports grant activities. (45%)

EJF2. Manages and coordinates continuous quality improvement and technology upgrade projects for the Section. Plans, tracks tasks, ensuring milestones are completed within established timeframe, and reports progress to Branch manager and as requested to department management and committees. Oversees the effectiveness of programs and projects. Identifies, develops, and implements effective techniques to evaluate Section programs and projects in order to ensure the highest quality of laboratory services and support strategic plans. Reports outcome measures of Section programs and projects to the Branch Manager. Identifies areas of noncompliance, deficiencies, and quality issues with agency programs and determines solutions. Recommends appropriate changes. Oversees document control and document management for the Branch. (30%)

EJF3. Collects, compiles, and creates written reports of requested information and data. Oversees and performs complex data extraction, statistical analyses, and report preparation of laboratory and grant activities to support Section programs and other laboratory customers. Performs data review, provides information for legislative requests, and prepares scientific manuscripts for publication. Ensures reports and assignments are completed in a timely manner. (10%)

EJF4.  Performs and provides assistance to customer services activities. Effectively communicates with and serves as liaison within the DSHS Laboratory and between the Laboratory, DSHS Programs, vendors, and other state agencies on Branch and Section activities in order to maintain and improve overall customer satisfaction of Section programs. Builds and maintains positive working relationships. Responds to evolving needs of customers and actively obtains information from external stakeholders that are required for Section programs and projects. Maintains knowledge of emerging technologies and provides updates to Branch manager as needed. Presents scientific-based data at local and national meetings. (10%)  

EJF5. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving as a Section contact 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. Based on your work area, consistently comply with DSHS Laboratory, local, state and federal guidelines to ensure a safe functioning laboratory.(5%) 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge and understanding of the roles of public health laboratories.
Knowledge of microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, and chemistry laboratory testing.
Knowledge of Laboratory Information Management Systems.
Knowledge of DSHS and HHSC policies and procedures for personnel, budget management and tracking, fiscal accounting, purchasing and contracting, travel, and grants management.
Knowledge of email, word processing, project management, spreadsheet and database programs such as MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Project, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and Access.
Knowledge of project management concepts.

Skill in effective customer service practices. 
Skill in synthesizing and analyzing complex information for a variety of purposes. 
Skill in problem solving and conflict resolution. 
Skill in oral and written communication. 
Skill in quality improvement activities development, implementation, management, and evaluation. 
Skill in time management and planning.
Skill in grant writing, coordination, and monitoring.

Ability to prepare scientific manuscripts and concise reports, to develop and evaluate policies and procedures, and to plan for following action needed.
Ability to utilize computer programs for spreadsheet analysis, database analysis, word processing, and Laboratory Information Management Systems. 
Ability to utilize computer programs for laboratory data analysis including trend analysis.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, analyze data, and devise solutions to problems.
Ability to present complex information to a variety of audiences. 
Ability to demonstrate initiatives, organize and manage multiple tasks, prioritize heavy workloads, and meet deadlines. 
Ability to establish goals and objectives. 
Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams. 
Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships with managers, co-workers, and partners.  Ability to adapt to a changing work environment.    

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelors, Masters, or Doctorate in a chemical, physical, biological, clinical laboratory science, medical technology or related field from an accredited institution is required. If degree is not in a scientific field, a 

a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree and three years of experience working in a clinical laboratory, research laboratory, or public health laboratory may serve as a substitute.

Experience working in a clinical laboratory, research laboratory, or public health laboratory required.

Experience with grant writing, coordinating, budgeting, and reports required.

Experience in project management is highly preferred.

Experience with teaching, outreach, and recruitment is highly preferred.

Experience with Microsoft Power Platform or data automation preferred.

Additional Information:

Please include a cover letter and resume. 

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