Immunization Contracts Team Lead - Program Specialist VI

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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: Immunization Contracts Team Lead - Program Specialist VI 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Immunization Unit 
Posting Number: 13028 
Closing Date: 02/09/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: 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 (DHT) 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:

Under the general direction of the Immunization Section’s Operations Director performs highly advanced, senior level consultative services, and technical assistance work.  Plans, develops, and implements programmatic work related to the immunization inter-local agreements with local health departments, vendor contracts, and memoranda of understanding.  Provides consultative services and technical assistant to Immunization Section leadership and contractors to ensure understanding and compliance with contract requirements.  Coordinates programmatic pieces of the inter-local agreements, contracts, memoranda of understanding, and request for proposals.  Monitors contractors for compliance with programmatic aspects of the contracts.  Coordinates activities with Contract Management Section to ensure that activities are consistent section-wide.  Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions:

Serves as the Team Leader for the Immunization Contracts Team.  Provides advanced, complex consultative services and technical assistance to Health Service Regions, local health departments, and other contractors.  Plans, develops, and implements programmatic language for contracts and requests for proposals in coordination with the appropriate Immunization Section program area.  Provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new contracting language and methods as they are implemented.  Provides consultation to Immunization Section program areas to develop statements of work, work plans, and performance measures for contracts.  Consults with Health Service Regions, local health departments, contractors, and Immunization Section staff to plan and implement effective program and services and to ensure consistency statewide.  Provides routine updates on contract activities and issues to Immunization leadership.  Conducts all work related to contracting as requested by the Contract Management Section. (40%)

Coordinates and conducts technical site reviews and desk audits to determine contractors’ programmatic compliance with contract requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.  Develops policy and procedure manuals for contractors and the evaluation techniques and tools for monitoring compliance.  Analyzes operations and makes appropriate recommendations for improvement.  Oversees the completion of and monitors required performance reports and recommends appropriate changes.  Evaluates findings from across the state, reviews and evaluates information on service delivery systems and activities, and identifies gaps in resources and recommends improvements.  Works with the contractor, Contract Management Section, DSHS Health Service Regions, program staff, and Immunization Section subject matter experts to resolve programmatic audit findings and develop corrective action plans.  Maintain programmatic contractor files. (30%)

Monitors contractor expenditures.  Reviews and analyzes contractors’ monthly expenditures by working with the Immunization Finance Team and the Contract Management Section.  Develops routine and ad hoc reports analyzing contractor expenditures and provides recommendations to ensure contract funds are utilized appropriately.  Communicates findings and recommended actions with Immunization Section leadership, DSHS Health Service program staff, Contract Management Section, and contractors as necessary.  Develops and completes the detailed categorical budget for the annual federal cooperative agreement submission. (10%)

Develops and reviews memoranda of understanding, letters of understanding, and affiliation agreements with internal and external programs.  Works with the Contract Management Section and other appropriate parties to coordinate the approval process for the execution of memoranda of understanding and affiliation agreements.  Assists the Immunization Operations Manager and Immunization leadership on special assignments and projects as needed.  (15%)

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%)

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:   

Requires Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) Certification within 12 months of employment. Must maintain certification while in this position.   

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of contracting, contract monitoring, and accounting procedures.

Skill in communication, including effective organization and presentation of information, both orally and in writing.

Skill in preparing written analyses and administrative reports and special projects as assigned.

Skill in reviewing contract applications.

Skill in using personal computers and software, including Microsoft Word and Excel.

Ability to prepare concise reports.

Ability to establish priorities, set goals, and manage time effectively.

Ability to interpret and apply federal statutes, regulations, agency rules, policies, and procedures related to contracts.

Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships.

Ability to evaluate and assess contractor performance, identify contractor problems, and develop corrective action plans.

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Bachelor’s degree in business, business administration, management, accounting, public administration, or a related field preferred.  Experience in a related field and education may be substituted for one another.
2. Experience working with contracts and contract monitoring.
3. Experience in contract budget and expenditure monitoring
4. Experience communicating and presenting to contractors and/or other stakeholders. 

Additional Information:

Applicants selected for interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise. Hours for this position will be 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. This will position will be working in the office and is not eligible for teleworking.  Full salary range may not be offered due to budget limitations.

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