HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit 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.

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

Functional Title: HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Director 
Job Title: Director II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Epidemiology & Surveillance 
Posting Number: 12087 
Closing Date: 01/11/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-27 
Salary Range: $7,015.16 - $11,864.50 
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: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
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:

Works under the direct supervision of the HIV/STD Section Director, serves as Director of the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (ESU). Performs complex managerial and epidemiological work leading the day-to-day operations of the Unit including functions related to developing, implementing, evaluating, and maintaining statewide HIV, STD, and HCV surveillance systems, sero surveillance, behavioral surveillance and special epidemiologic projects. Oversees analysis, interpretation and dissemination of HIV/AIDS, STD and HCV data collected by the Unit. Oversees management, security, and quality control of surveillance data systems. Provides oversight for provision of data and analyses critical to community planning for prevention and care services throughout Texas. Serves as DSHS Principal Investigator for HIV, STD, or HCV federal grants and cooperative agreements as appropriate. Ensures grant objectives and deadlines are met. Serves as Local Responsible Party of the Unit for security and confidentiality of HIV/STD data. Provides HIV/AIDS, STD, and HCV epidemiological expertise internally and externally. Manages the Unit budget including input on budget development and determining resource allocation to achieve Unit objectives. Responsible for all administrative duties, public relations, and public education provided by the Unit. Acts on behalf of the Section Director in his/her absence to provide HIV/AIDS, STD, and HCV programmatic information and guidance. Represents the agency at meetings and hearings as needed. Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

1. Provides overall vision, leadership and strategic direction to the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit. Responsible for oversight, planning, monitoring and implementation of the Unit’s administrative, budget and fiscal activities. Manages all resources in the Unit to meet current needs and plans for future needs to meet projected increases in activity. Coordinates activities with other branches within the unit and with programs throughout the Department. Provides administrative, program, and epidemiological information concerning HIV/AIDS, STDs, and HCV to department staff, policy makers, other governmental agencies, the media, community-based organizations, universities, and the public as requested. (30%)
2. Supervises and provides guidance in the creation, analysis and enhancement of HIV/AIDS, STD, and HCV surveillance systems. Provides the epidemiological expertise to surveillance staff to enhance the quality of data that is collected and utilized for evaluation and analysis. Develops the necessary policies, procedures, and technical guidelines to enhance surveillance and analysis of data dealing with HIV, STD, and HCV. Serves as the Local Responsible Party for ensuring security and confidentiality of HIV, STD, and HCV data. Encourages, manages, and supervises the development of epidemiological projects dealing with HIV/AIDS, STD, and HCV. Oversees development and updating of program rules. (20%)
3. Supervises assigned personnel including providing regular guidance, setting priorities, developing performance standards, assigning tasks, setting deadlines, mentoring, scheduling and approving leave, monitoring and evaluating work performance and recommending disciplinary actions. (20%)
4. Conducts and supervises appropriate epidemiologic investigations and studies to define problems. Develops and implements a plan of resolution for problems that are discovered by the above investigations. Oversees the design and implementation of epidemiologic and behavioral studies to describe and monitor HIV/AIDS, STDs, and HCV in Texas including research methodology, protocol development, data collection, data management, security, human subjects protection, data analysis, data interpretation, report and manuscript writing, project evaluation and quality control. Reviews, approves, and manages IRB application requests for data. Provides leadership and guidance in preparing requests for proposals and obtaining funding for program evaluation, epidemiology and surveillance activities. Serves as Principal Investigator federally funded grants and cooperative agreements as appropriate, ensures that all grant and cooperative agreement requirements, activities, goals and objectives are met (15%)
5. Ensures the provision of appropriate data and analyses to prevention and services planning bodies for use in planning, developing and evaluating programs and services. Ensures that required disease reporting, progress on objectives, and data reports are prepared and provided in a timely and accurate manner for federal disease reporting, federal funding progress reports, legislative reports, and internal and external requests for information. (10%)
6. Manages and develops unit staff through review of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisal. Responsible for hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave for unit personnel. (10%)
7. Other duties as assigned include but are 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. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions.

Principles and practices of public health, public administration and management.

Texas legislative process and public accountability systems.

Principles of leadership and how to effectively interact with various leadership styles.

Supervision of employees, such as hiring, counseling, staff development and evaluation

Grant funding processes and competitive awarding of funds.

Public health laws related to communicable diseases, including HIV/STD.

Prevention, control, diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection and sexually transmitted diseases.

Disease surveillance methods, bio-statistical methods, and epidemiology; familiarity with electronic methods of data analysis.

Detailed knowledge of the principles and practice of program evaluation and application of behavioral theory to HIV/STD prevention.

Skill in:

Establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.

Identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.

Working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.

Managing multiple and competing priorities.

Developing and implementing contracts and grant applications.

Identifying resources needed to accomplish service delivery objectives and budget development

Excellent organizational and communication skills. Broad based statistical, epidemiological and analytical skills including experience with statistical computer packages. .

Skilled in presenting ideas clearly and concisely in writing and orally; addressing a wide variety of audiences effectively.

Ability to:

Direct and organize program activities and/or business functions.

Establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.

Identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Prepare reports.

Communicate effectively.

Supervise the work of others.

Express ideas clearly and concisely.

Lead in an environment of change.

Plan, assign, and evaluate the work of others.

Establish effective working relationships with coalitions.

Think creatively and support creative thinking in others.

Establish effective working relationships with staff at all levels of an organization, agencies, providers, stakeholders, and elected officials.

Develop and implement effective customer service systems.

Understand and align operations and support strategies according to business needs.

Interpret data and develop effective operating procedures and practices.

Organize and present information effectively, both orally and in writing.

Extensive ability in designing conducting, and collaborating on epidemiological research studies.

Extensive ability to plan, develop, and promote a statewide system of HIV/AIDS and STD surveillance, data collection and data management.

Build effective work teams.

Work with the legislature.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree required.

Graduate degree in public health, public administration, or related field or 5 years of relevant experience preferred.

Minimum of three years of experience in supervision of employees, including hiring staff, staff development and evaluation, counseling, and identification and implementation of human resource activities

A minimum of three years of experience working for a public health department or state government preferred.

Experience developing and supporting grants, contracts, procurements, or budgets.

Additional Information:

Proficiency/Skills Test: Applicants selected for interview may be required to complete a proficiency/skills test at the time of the interview (e.g., Excel or professional writing sample).

Work Hours and Location Note: Applicants must have the ability and willingness to work core business hours, Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours. This position is based in-person at offices located in Austin, Texas.

Application/Resume Notes: Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the experience required for this position in the job history sections of the application.

Employment References Note: If selected, a candidate must be able and willing to provide current and previous work references before a final offer of employment is extended.

Salary Note: Agency salary policy, budget, and candidate’s qualifications will dictate the final salary offer.

Visa Sponsorships Note: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without 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