Operations Specialist I

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.

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Functional Title: Operations Specialist I 
Job Title: Program Specialist II 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Pharmacy Branch 
Posting Number: 15818 
Closing Date: 05/24/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Production 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
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: 1111 W NORTH LOOP 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:
Performs moderately complex (journey level) preparation work with pharmaceuticals and medical supplies in the Pharmacy Unit warehouse. Work includes performing pharmaceutical stock keeping, delivery, technical assistance duties to involve compiling and tabulating data, checking documents for accuracy, and preparing vaccines or medications for credit or destruction. Performs advanced stock and inventory work in the central pharmacy warehouse. Retrieves orders from the PIMS system or other electronic pharmacy program and prints the pick list. Work involves the handling and processing of medication, biologicals, and medical supplies for distribution to Regional and local public health locations and community pharmacies participating in the DSHS HIV drug program. Files, produces word-processing documents, and package drugs for shipments to Class D pharmacies. Performs complex pharmaceutical tasks by assisting in repackaging, labeling and quality assurance functions under the direct supervision of a Registered Pharmacist. Serves on the shipping and receiving Process Improvement Team. Reports to Warehouse Team Lead. Works under moderate supervision with latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement. Responsible for assisting with the distribution of preparedness medication and supplies as needed within or outside of normal working hours. Performs related work as assigned. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
(40%) Receives written and automated drug orders for Health Service Regions (HSR), Local Health Departments (LHD), clinics and private providers of state purchased vaccines and biologicals for processing that have the approval from Division Director or authorized personnel. Retrieves orders from the Pharmacy Unit’s Pharmacy Inventory and Management System (PIMS). Fills, and packs, HIV vaccines, biologicals, and medical supplies to over 2000 clinics and locations statewide every month. Includes packing of ice to insure proper temperature while in transit. Filling orders includes lot number, expiration dates on each HIV orders. Select shipping modality and prints packing slip to go into the shipment. If the order needs a different lot number assigned to it or has a discrepancy, then it is returned to the Inventory personnel with a comment explain why the order is being returned. Responsible for basic pharmaceutical calculations. Receives 2500 HIV Medications orders monthly (over 100 received daily) to pick from inventory, pack and ship to the HIV participating Pharmacies. Work involves checking Pharmacy personnel’s orders to ensure the correct drug and quantity are pulled from inventory. Initials all orders as checker and /or as picker and dates the order. Determines method of shipment (Ground, Air, or Priority). Prepares shipping labels, bus bills or air bills. Coordinates pick up of Fed Ex shipments with DSHS mail room, air freight with appropriate company, and emergency deliveries.

(20%) Receives and stocks HIV vaccines, biologicals, HIV medication and medical supplies. Checks quantities received against invoices for discrepancies. Documents lot numbers, expiration date and verifies quantities receive on HIV orders received. Any discrepancy is documents and given to the inventory personnel.

(15%) Maintains inventory of vaccines and biologicals on computer database. Conducts physical inventory of pharmaceuticals periodically. Provides physical inventory report to the Operations Manager and Warehouse Team Lead for verification in PIMS. Analyzes weekly inventory reports and offers stock level recommendations.

(10%) Communicates with the HIV Medication Program via email or phone concerning discrepancies either made by the program the pharmacy requesting the order or by the shipping department. Verifies the information which includes pulling the order and checking the product name, quantity, who filled and check the order before it was shipped. Also, checks FedEx for tracking information to verify receipt of medications. Implements correcting of the order as needed.

(10%) Participate in the shipping and receiving process. Types shipping labels, files HIV labels and provides special reports to the Procurement Team, Pharmacists and/or managers. Performs repackaging functions such as breaking bulk-size containers of drugs into optimum size-of-use containers under the direct supervision of a pharmacist. Enters the orders into the computer and determines that the information such as generic name, expiration date, and lot number are properly recorded on the label. Prints the labels and places them on the vials. Other duties or projects as assigned. 

(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 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 medical and pharmaceutical terminology.
Knowledge of state and federal laws related to pharmaceutical operations.
Knowledge of word processing (Microsoft Word).
Knowledge of computer literacy.
Knowledge of business English grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Knowledge of administrative policies and procedures.
Knowledge of personnel policies involving employee leave.
Knowledge of mathematics.
Knowledge of Repackaging and labeling equipment.

Skill in operating repackaging equipment and labeling equipment.
Skill in proper telephone etiquette.
Skill in mathematics and pharmaceutical calculations.
Skill in utilizing a calculator.
Skill in filing.
Skills in the use of Excel, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Outlook software.
Skills in typing/word processing.
Skills in proofreading and editing and filing.

Ability to prepare prescriptions and to inventory supplies.
Ability to learn new techniques (adapt to change).
Ability to communicate effectively, organize and prioritize.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Ability to comprehend and implement written and oral instructions.
Ability to move and lift up to 50 lbs.
Ability to understand and interpret pertinent policies and procedures.
Ability to analyze and solve work problems independently and/or work with other to improve operations.
Ability to work independently, in a team environment and on schedule.
Ability to learn computer system.
Ability to comprehend and implement written and oral instructions.
Ability to coordinate, manage and prioritize a large and diverse number of activities with a high degree of accuracy.
Ability to evaluate administrative procedures and suggest and implement improvements.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with supervisory personnel, co-workers and the public.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
Must have a current Texas Driver’s License.

Initial Screening Criteria:
Must have High School Diploma or Equivalent

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