Program Specialist V

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Employee Benefits:

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Functional Title: Program Specialist V 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Congenital Syphilis 
Posting Number: 14816 
Closing Date: 03/26/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel:  
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 (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:

This position is located in the Congenital Syphilis Epidemiology and Surveillance unit within the Community Health Improvement Division. Under the supervision of the Congenital Syphilis Epidemiology and Surveillance G Manager, the Program Specialist V performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work supporting local and regional health department Congenital syphilis Surveillance staff and programs.  Performs a variety of tasks related to the reporting and case validation of congenital syphilis investigational data, including database maintenance, report tracking, data entry, and quality assurance. Acts as the primary point of contact and overseer for contracts and case reporting from assigned local and regional health department jurisdictions. This position will aid in development of short-term, mid-term and long-term goals and objectives, and the development of standards for achieving strategic operational goals. Exercises independent judgment and professional discretion with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment to administrate, advise, plan, and coordinate duties.

Essential Job Functions:

35%) Work with the congenital syphilis (CS) epidemiology team to review congenital syphilis cases, CS data remediation and deduplications. Provides guidance to surveillance sites regarding medical chart abstractions for CS. Supports regional and local health departments regarding reporting for congenital syphilis surveillance. Develops and provides line lists, data trackers and program reports to local and regional health departments partners on the processes and procedures for investigating and reporting congenital syphilis. Manages THISIS database workflows and provides guidance, training and technical assistance on the review and monitoring of workflows at surveillance sites, ensuring data are entered meeting federal and state requirements.

(20%) Provides consultative services, technical assistance, and program information to regional and local health departments in accordance with state and national goals to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of data gathered during congenital syphilis investigations. Identifies and addresses training needs and aids in the evaluation of local and regional health department progress toward contractually required metrics. Provides consultation to assigned congenital syphilis surveillance jurisdictions in meeting short-term, mid-term and long-term goals, objectives and standards.  
 
(20%) Coordinates the instate and interstate communications, Out of State Record Searches (OOS), Cumulative Interstate Duplicate Review and Routine Interstate Duplicate Review, necessary to ensure the reporting and investigation of congenital syphilis cases which transverse state boundaries are complete, timely, accurately capture case history, and do not overcount the total number of congenital syphilis at a national level.  
 
(10%) Verifies entered CS data by reviewing, correcting, deleting, or reentering data collected from medical records and other sources; combining data from multiple systems and multiple data sources when reporting information is incomplete; purging files to eliminate duplication of data. Processes CS reports and provides occasional data entry support for CS case registry sites. 
 
(10%) Supports epidemiologists by researching and resolving aberrant data findings and records while understanding the reporting limitations of the data collection process. Participates in case reporting accuracy studies by reabstracting the medical records of previously reported cases.  Participates in CDC site visits and training as appropriate. Prepares data and objectives for grant applications, annual progress reports, and interim progress reports.

(5%) Performs other duties as assigned, including but 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 Planning (COOP) activities. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. 

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

Knowledge of word processing, database software applications, and spreadsheet software applications.
Knowledge of epidemiological/public health research design, methods, principles, and techniques 
Knowledge of infectious disease control or disease surveillance.
Knowledge of Congenital Syphilis control and/or reporting. 
Skill in organizing and interpreting data, preparing reports, delivering public health information in presentations. 
Skills in project management to organize major project activities into a logical sequence with a reasonable and achievable schedule of deadlines
Skills in technical writing skills to communicate project information clearly and succinctly for correspondence with state and federal agencies.
Skill in critical thinking and problem solving                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Ability to plan, organize, and conduct assigned phases of complex projects
Ability to work independently and show initiative
Ability to develop and effectively deliver training and technical assistance about project data methods, procedures or DSHS policies        
Ability to interpret complex statistical data, charts, and tables and translate detailed information into simpler terms orally and in writing
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and to work with others as part of a team.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:  N/A.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major course work in public health, health sciences or related field.
Atleast  1 year experience with public health, disease surveillance and infectious disease control preferred .
Atlleast 1 year experience with public health program management, data extraction, and maintenance of health databases preferred with a Texas state agency.

Additional Information:

This position is eligible for Telework

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