Grant Writer and Award 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: Grant Writer and Award Specialist 
Job Title: Grant Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: HAI Quality Assurance 
Posting Number: 14576 
Closing Date: 06/04/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
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 (DHT) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: No military equivalent 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description

Do you love the thrill of grants, research, and/or developing innovative strategies to answer complex questions? Do have a "can do" attitude, enjoy working on a dynamic team, and thrive under pressure? In this important role, you will work directly with Epidemiologists and other high-level public health employees on our federally-funded projects to ensure our grant assignments are successful and on time.

The Healthcare Safety Grant Specialist performs technical grant writing, coordination, and administration under the Leadership of the Healthcare Safety Unit and Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology in the Texas Chief State Epidemiologist Division. The position is responsible for coordinating grant and budget activities, and for providing and supporting essential public health functions. The position will coordinate and collaborate with internal and external partners to analyze projects and costs and prepare budgets for awarded grants, some of which are impromptu. The position will independently develop and train staff on performance measures, timelines, and milestones,using "SMART" technical writing skills. Expert skill writing operationally-defined and quantifiable measures is essential. In addition, this Specialist will continuously prepare progress reports, and complete quality project deliverables by approved timelines. The position is responsible for programmatic operations, policies and procedures, and for evaluating grant activities. Professional and effective written and verbal communication is required. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. To be successful, must be a detail-oriented, self-motivated person who can also be flexible and thrive under pressure to meet the evolving needs of the life-saving work done by the team.  

Essential Job Functions

20%) Oversees and assures HSU compliance with all grant applications, reporting materials, work plans, and evaluation plans. Tracks activity completion and progress made on grant goals, milestones, and performance measures.
(20%) Oversees, prepares, or evaluates grant application project plans and special initiatives and timelines and coordinates and oversees the completion of related tasks among appropriate staff and/or other divisions and agencies, as relevant; reviews relevant work completed by other staff; ensures all materials/requirements are completed in a timely manner for HSU management review and final submission.
(15%) Oversees cross-functional workgroups composed of internal and external stakeholders to develop program objectives, work plans and budgets. Serves as a liaison between HSU and other HHS, HHSC, and DSHS Units. Conducts internal work groups of staff, external agency personnel and other appropriate stakeholders as necessary to develop project measures and goals, organizational structure, program objectives, work plans, trainings, and budgets.
(15%) Responds to relevant ad-hoc and regular requests for information from internal and external stakeholders, including grant funders, agency leadership, and legislative offices. Oversees grant closeout activities including final reporting to grant funders.
(15%) Develops and reviews policies, procedures and rules for the HSU, including all relevant federal guidelines, and interprets and prepares these in the form of formal guidance to program staff, stakeholders and/or subcontractors.
(15%) 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.  

Knowledge Skills Abilities

Knowledge of administration activities related to DSHS policies and procedures.
Knowledge of project management principles and processes and quality improvement.
Knowledge of related state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules and requirements.
Knowledge of strategic planning, budget management, human resource management, project management, and conflict resolution.

Skill in developing SMART grant strategies, goals, and objectives, including operationally defined, quantifiable outcomes.
Skill in preparing expert progress and evaluation reports.
Skill in grant management, including budget development, work plans and monitoring progress toward goals.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in communication, public speaking, preparing and delivering presentations and trainings.
Skills with internal and external stakeholders, and skilled at developing collaborations with public health-related colleagues.

Ability to communicate with relevant scientific professionals and the lay public.
Ability to work with a multidisciplinary team.
Ability to multi-task under pressure and on a deadline, but not take challenges personally.
Ability to establish measurable and well-defined goals and objectives.
Ability to make timely and effective decisions regarding support operations.
Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others.
Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with team members and work through conflict.
Ability to lead teams, train others, and delegate effectively.
Ability to manage time effectively, prioritize assignments, and manage the time-sensitive and high visibility workload of the position.
Ability to interpret data and develop effective operating procedures.
Ability to organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.
Ability to comprehensively and accurately evaluate reports.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: None, but Project Managerment and/or grant or research-related certifications a plus.

Initial Screening Criteria

Professional experience in research, grants, contracts, budgets, and/or project management; Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in public administration, research, health and/or psychological sciences, business administration, or a related field is generally preferred; Experience and education may be substituted for one another.  

Additional information

This position works two days per week in the Austin DSHS Central Office (W 49th St); Working in person two days weekly is non-negotiable. We are a fast-moving, connected and dynamic group of passionate public health and science professionals and seek a Grant Specialist with similar passion and dedication to join our team.

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