Piney Woods; PHR 4/5N, Regional Coordinator

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: Piney Woods; PHR 4/5N, Regional Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist III 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Vision Hearing Spinal Screenin 
Posting Number: 13797 
Closing Date: 02/27/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Education Training and Library 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 
Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $5,178.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 40% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: SULPHUR SPRINGS 
Job Location Address: 1400 COLLEGE ST STE 111 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Reports to the Vision, Hearing, and Spinal Screening Program (VHSS) Manager. Coordinates and/or monitors all VHSS activities within the assigned Health Service Region(s) to ensure an adequate number of certified screeners in public schools, private schools, licensed childcare centers, and licensed childcare homes. Coordinates, plans and conducts advanced educational programs including screener certification and screening instructor certification for all three screening types. Travels throughout assigned region(s) to conduct certification training, compliance visits, etc. Integrates state and local health resources to provide needed care to children with vision, hearing, and spinal problems. Provides technical assistance for screening and reporting. Monitors schools and childcares for screening and reporting compliance and monitors screening instructors for training compliance. Communicates regularly with community stakeholders and escalates questions or issues to VHSS manager when appropriate. Performs administrative tasks related to job duties. Works under general supervision, with moderate 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.

Conduct annual needs assessments in the region. Plan, develop, and schedule vision, hearing, and spinal screening workshops and activities in public or private schools and preschools, childcare facilities (collectively referred to as facilities), and other agencies in the communities. Conduct training workshops for vision, hearing, and spinal screening to individuals and organizations requesting training at locations near them to minimize stakeholder travel. Conduct external (non-VHSS staff) instructor workshops for areas needing additional screener training support. Move training and screening equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. Obtains necessary supplies and equipment for workshops. Process workshop, screener, instructor and equipment loan records timely as instructed by the VHSS manager. (50%)

Monitor and evaluate facilities, screeners, and external instructors for compliance relating to program rules and provide technical assistance and corrective training to increase compliance. Facility and screener monitoring includes on-site visits to evaluate equipment and records and communication with facilities not reporting screening data.  External instructor monitoring includes training audits and records audits. Conduct follow-up on compliance activities conducted the previous year. Provide information to groups and/or individuals regarding vision, hearing, and spinal screening requirements and reporting instructions for facilities. Keep accurate records of facilities contacted and turn in complete reports. (20%)

Disseminate information to groups and/or individuals regarding vision, hearing and spinal screening requirements in schools and childcare facilities. Promote public awareness of vision, hearing, and spinal needs and services through presentations and other means. Provide facilities with technical support in processing screening results, reports and forms. Collect statistical and other information regarding the availability of vision, hearing, and spinal screening services through surveys, calls or emails, personal visitation, and review of records. (10%)

Loan audiometers and eye charts to facilities.  Ensure audiometer users are properly registered before loaning out equipment. Maintain loan records and report to the VHSS manager as directed. (5%)

Prepare and submit required administrative reports timely as directed by the VHSS manager. Reports may be weekly, monthly, and/or quarterly. Participate in program planning and developing program goals and objectives. Assist with special projects as assigned. May be temporarily assigned work in other regions or other duties to support continuity of operations for VHSS when there are vacancies. Travel to Austin or other location semi-annually for all-staff meetings and team-building. (5%)

Serves as regional liaison for program activities. Coordinates with Regional Public Health Nurses to ensure availability of spinal screening training in the Health Service Region. (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, Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) team.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: child health screening; project management techniques; effective verbal and written communication techniques; customer service principles; conducting inspections and audits while providing constructive criticism and corrective training to bring an individual or group into compliance.

Skill in: educating groups and/or individuals; operating computers for emails, Outlook calendars, Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, Power Point or other presentation software, and Teams or other software to host live online training; and organizing and prioritizing work assignments.

Ability to: work independently and meet deadlines without close supervision; analyze and solve problems; interpret and follow policies and procedures; and; coordinate, schedule, and conduct training workshops using Power Point and skills assessments. 

Certifications:

Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

At least one year of experience educating groups or individuals. 

At least one year of experience working in public health, education, nursing, or other relevant field. May be substituted with two years of experience educating or training groups or individuals in a non-related field.

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