Health Communiation 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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Health Communiation Specialist 
Job Title: Information Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: HCCEG 
Posting Number: 14031 
Closing Date: 05/31/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $6,281.33 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 4502,4503,4505,4511,4512,4591,8055,165X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,INF,MC,PA,SEI13 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Health Communication Specialist manages, plans, develops, executes, and evaluates HIV/STD Section Communications and Policy Group (CPG) projects, primarily planning, coordinating, and conducting meetings and events. This position also prepares reports, guidelines, procedures and policies; develops and monitors project budgets; secures and manages contracts; responds to information requests; develops printed/web products; and participates in workgroups, as needed. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Plans, develops, implements, evaluates, and monitors public health follow-up HIV/STD information, including printed materials, digital, audiovisual presentations, website content, conferences, and workshops. Performs needs assessments and works with HIV/STD Program staff to prioritize public information/education activities. Reviews research to ensure informational and educational materials are scientifically accurate and culturally competent. Prepares proposals and justifications for new HIV/STD information and education program initiatives. Percentage of Time Spent (20%).

Provides technical assistance and consultative services to HIV/STD Program staff, DSHS regional staff, other state agencies, on education, public information and social marketing activities. Plans, implements and monitors effective agency HIV/STD information and education initiatives. Conducts regular reviews of agency and contractor program activities to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines. Recommends best practices and coordinates staff development activities to optimize prevention education outcomes. Percentage of Time Spent (20%).

Designs, creates, updates and maintains assigned web pages for the HIV/STD Program website on an accurate and timely basis. Works closely with the webmaster to organize and facilitate the HIV/STD Program Web Workgroup. Assists staff in preparing written material for public dissemination. Percentage of Time Spent (20%).

Plans, develops, and implements marketing campaigns to increase partner services interventions and activities among external stakeholders, including professional groups, aimed at reducing the burden of infections in high-morbidity areas in Texas. Develops strategies to improve information content to stakeholders and works with DSHS program staff to implement improvements.  Percentage of Time Spent (20%).

Assists with coordinating meetings and events. Helps secure and manage meeting planning contractors and partners to provide services for HIV/STD meetings and events (conferences, seminars, summits, symposiums, orientations, trainings, capacity building sessions, special events, etc.). Develops and manages meeting and event budgets, including developing annual and biennial state/federal forecasts. Develops and implements program (content) planning guidelines and processes. Writes meeting and event specifications, goals and objectives. Assists with providing oversight and guidance to grant writers, staff, contractors and other DSHS programs on meeting and event program planning, logistics and budgeting. Helps procure, manage, and monitor meeting and event-related contracts. Helps manage and coordinate meetings and events for staff, contractors and other stakeholders. Percentage of Time Spent (15%).

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, or location. Percentage of Time Spent (5%).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: 

Adobe Creative Suite applications (Photoshop, Animate, Illustrator, and InDesign)

Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint)

Skill in:

Adobe Creative Suite applications (Photoshop, Animate, Illustrator, and InDesign)

Microsoft Suite applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint)

Effectively managing projects and or events from conception to completion.

Ability to:

Communicate professionally with stakeholders and resolve issues promptly.

Confidently and proactively track and manage projects from start to completion, involving the necessary stakeholders as needed.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Additional Information:

N/A

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