Infectious Disease Prevention Senior Advisor

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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: Infectious Disease Prevention Senior Advisor 
Job Title: Program Specialist VII 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Lab & Infectious Disease Svcs 
Posting Number: 15603 
Closing Date: 04/17/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Range: $5,797.66 - $8,750.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-25 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
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 (RBB) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Program Specialist VII (Senior Advisor)

The Senior Advisor (Program Specialist VII) position directly supports the Deputy Commissioner (DC) for the Infectious Prevention Disease (IDP) Division; in turn, decisions made by this position directly reflect those of the IDP Deputy Commissioner. The scope of this position primarily spans the IDP Division which includes HIV/STD, TB and Hansen’s Disease, the Immunization Section, and the DSHS Pharmacy Unit.

This position performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative services and technical assistance work; and is directly involved in addressing operational, administrative, policy, or legal aspects of IDP’s programs primarily within these areas. This position carries forward the direction of the DC to assist IDP’s leadership and program staff in addressing complex issues. Provides direction to program staff on behalf of the DC. Provides input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities. Reviews regular business reports and tracks completion of goals. Identifies the need to address areas of concern that may be impeding success or to achieve programmatic goals.

The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of working in partnership with other team members to drive strategy and results, embracing and solving specific challenges the organization faces, bringing fresh ideas to IDP, integrating mission and values into work practices, and leading in a fast-paced environment. The position will work under minimal supervision 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.

(25%) Analyzes federal and state regulations and legislation, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data on a regular basis to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance. Interprets historical, current, and projected comprehensive technical reports and data to identify problems, causes, and areas for which procedural or system changes are indicated.

(25%) Manages and coordinates strategic initiatives for the IDP division, including research, analysis, project management, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and communications. Reviews and evaluates new or improved business and management practices for application to operations.

(20%) Oversees developing strategic staffing plans for IDP funded positions and developing strategies for recruitment and increasing retention rates in these positions. Oversees, plans, and directs organizational studies of work problems and develops solutions to organizational issues. Compiles and analyzes data related to area of responsibility and prepares reports to executive staff on results. Advises IDP’s management on studies by identifying priorities and defining study scope, purpose, objectives, time frames, and resource requirements.

(15%) Supports the Deputy Commissioner for IDP services; The scope of this position primarily spans the IDP and programs within the division. Decisions include the appropriate information to be shared within communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences. Reviews and prepares documents on behalf of Deputy Commissioner to include memoranda, reports, studies, and other briefing documents.

(10%) Manages action items for the Deputy Commissioner to ensure timely approval of contracts, reports, correspondence, etc. Assists in the coordination, delegation, and tracking of various administrative assignments and/or activities within the IDP Division.

(5%) Other duties as assigned may include, but are not limited to, actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. This position will serve a key role during disasters. Immunizations are a critical aspect of DSHS disaster responses for weather events and infectious disease outbreaks. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulations, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance.
• Knowledge and understanding of agency strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities to provide staff direction and decision making.
• Knowledge of the Texas Legislative process.
• Knowledge of contracts, grants, and budgets.
  
  

Skill in:

• Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.
• Skill in coordinating complex projects across multiple program areas.
• Skill in excellent written and verbal communication to draft, review, and approve memos routed to IDP leadership; external communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences; legislative correspondence; legislative reports; and federal, state, and internal audit responses. Prepare presentations and talking points for IDP and DSHS leadership for external speaking engagements.

Ability to:

• Ability to manage high complexity and priority cross-divisional projects.
• Ability to use sound judgement to make independent decisions that directly reflect those of the department and the IDP division regarding appropriate information to be shared within communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
• Ability to complete tasks with competing priorities.
• Ability to work in high-pressure, fast-paced environment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from four-year college or university is required.

• Four years of experience working in or alongside senior management is required.

• Four years of experience in project management and working with multidisciplinary teams is required.

• Work in public health is preferred.

Additional Information:

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise. Full salary range may not be offered due to budget limitations. This position is not eligible for telework. Candidate will need to reside in the Austin area.

Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities, and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the qualifications for this position. 

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