Injury Prevention Unit Coordinator

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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: Injury Prevention Unit Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Injury Prevention 
Posting Number: 12932 
Closing Date: 01/29/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
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 (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:

The Program Specialist V, or Injury Prevention Unit Coordinator, works under the direction of the Director of Injury Prevention. This position performs advanced (senior level) consultative services, technical assistance, analysis activities and oversight of operational aspects of the Injury Prevention Unit. This work includes, but is not limited to, extensive knowledge of rules and the rule making process, agency regulations, coordinating the planning, development, and completion of injury prevention initiatives, and oversight and evaluation of strategic plans and communications. Represents the unit on agency wide committees and coordinates with the division on legislative analysis, tracking and implementation. Prepares documents, reports, presentations, and briefings for the unit, section, and/ or the Deputy Commissioner for the Community Health Improvement Division. Coordinates special projects to improve injury prevention efforts and improves internal processes within the unit. Coordinate the development and posting of outward facing communication materials. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements. 

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. 

(35%) Represents and acts on behalf of the unit director to provide consultation and guidance to programs within the unit on policy, planning and administration. Facilitates and coordinates the flow of program and administrative assignments and composes/edits final responses. Works closely with managers, legal, unit staff and others to ensure that division strategic goals and objectives are current and consistent with the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) processes. Consult with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. Provides education to staff on the full range of activities related to new legislative program initiatives, development, project management, monitoring and reporting responsibilities. Oversees the compliance/response to external audits and investigations (State Auditors, Governmental Accounting Office, Health Resources & Services Administration, etc.).  Oversees the coordination of memoranda, correspondence, bill analysis and tracking, management reviews, productivity reports, cost estimates and technical assistance and analysis to form a concise report of issues with internal and external staff.  Represents the unit director on executive and senior-level workgroups and committees such as stakeholder meetings, adhoc committees and interagency workgroups. Serves as the legislative liaison for the Unit and coordinates bill analyses and cost agency estimates in coordination with program staff and unit Director.    

(20%) Develops guidelines, policies, and procedures for the unit to implement integration of new methods and processes. Develop program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals. Monitors compliance with policies and procedures for new and existing methods and processes. Consults with public groups involved with the department to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss effectiveness of process and identify areas for improvement. Analyze performance data to help ensure compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and recommend corrective action(s) as needed. Analyze legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding 

(20%) Serves as the unit’s special projects coordinator.  Responds to special requests and assignments from agency management. Identifies opportunities to further the strategic goals of the division and makes recommendations to improve the overall relationship with both internal and external customers. Analyze the application of and variations within programs to develop action plans for improving or initiating new programs. Coordinates and participates in activities related to legislative and appropriations issues and develops implementation plans in coordination with other programs for enacted legislation to improve the overall relationship between the Unit/Section/DSHS and legislative leadership. 

(10%) Conducts complex research and analysis of injury-related topics: examines proposed legislation, laws, rules, regulations, or policies that impact or potentially impact the agency or initiatives. Supports program and staff needs based on emerging practice standards and national and state level activities. Guides staff to initiate, sponsor, manage or participate in projects to maximize the success of multiple and diverse projects and participates in planning and convening meetings or conferences. 

(10%) Coordinate the development and dissemination of outward facing injury prevention materials to internal and external stakeholders and the public. Research injury prevention activities and topic areas and facilitate the dissemination of already developed materials.  

(5%) 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. To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements.  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; and research techniques.
• Knowledge of public administration, of legislative processes; and of program planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of the Texas legislative and appropriations processes.
• Knowledge of policy and procedure development, implementation, and maintenance.
• Knowledge of personnel administration/human resources, fiscal methods, training techniques, and modern office practices.
• Knowledge of project management or coordination
• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Skill in using a PC and software applications, including Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Skill in business and systems analysis.
• Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution and negotiation.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues at all levels in the organization and with external customers.
• Skill in gathering and analyzing information.
• Skill in writing proposals, plans, policies, procedures, and reports.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to provide guidance to others.
• Ability to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Ability to plan, organize, develop, implement, and evaluate multiple projects, often concurrently.
• Ability to lead diverse teams and diverse projects.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately, and effectively to a variety of audiences on a variety of subject matter.
• Ability to work independently to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze information; to devise solutions to problems and to prepare concise reports.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to prepare concise yet complex reports; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; and to plan, assign and monitor the work of others.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Receipt of a Bachelor’s degree required and a Master’s degree in public health, public affairs, public administration, social sciences, or related field from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.  Years of service in a public agency may be substituted for a graduate degree. 
• Experience leading and managing projects and grant management. 
• Experience developing, writing, and presenting reports and communications. 
• Experience in program planning, development, administration, and evaluation in the public sector.

Additional Information:

IMPORTANT, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION:  

Information on the application must clearly state how the applicant meets initial selection criteria in the Summary of Experience section to be interviewed. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. 

Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position. Answer all questions and completely summarize your experience including technical and managerial responsibilities and any special training, skills, and qualifications for each position you have held in the employment history section of application.  

All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. This includes, but is not limited to, previous salary, previous supervisor, and reason for leaving previous position.  

Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise. 

Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. 

There may be no military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor’s Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx

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