Public Health and Prevention Specialist V

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: Public Health and Prevention Specialist V 
Job Title: Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 11 
Posting Number: 15527 
Closing Date: 05/06/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $5,290.16 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 45% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: MCALLEN 
Job Location Address: 4501 W BUS HWY 83 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,60C,68S,68Z,HM,HS,MED,NAP11,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Health Service Region Office of Border Public Health (OBPH) Manager, performs highly advanced, senior level border public health work. Work involves overseeing the implementation and evaluation of community-based healthy border initiatives including the planning and development of annual work plans, goals and objectives and the completion and monitoring of efficiency procedures for those annual work plans to improve the health conditions and reduce community health hazards of border communities. Oversees the development of border public health training and educational curriculums for delivery to program staff, community health workers, and border communities and stakeholders. Develops, maintains and promotes partnerships with community residents, local, county, state and federal governments; binational agencies; non-profit and faith-based organizations; universities and community health worker organizations. Oversees the implementation of training needs assessments and environmental scans to understand the current capacity and knowledge of border community health workers and public health workforce to identify gaps in training and provide technical assistance where needed; document challenges and opportunities for partner collaborations; and identify best practices for developing and deploying comprehensive curriculums. Coordinates binational activities in the border health service region. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Speaks, reads and writes in English and Spanish to perform binational/border duties

Essential Job Functions (EJSFs):

EJF 1: Oversees the implementation and evaluation of community-based healthy border initiatives including the planning and development of annual work plans, goals and objectives and the completion and monitoring of efficiency procedures for those annual work plans to improve the health conditions and reduce community health hazards of border communities. Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of border public health educational materials in response to public health information and report requests. Oversees the development of border public health training and educational curriculums for delivery to program staff, community health workers, and border communities and stakeholders. Develops border public health policies, procedures, manuals, standards, and plans in accordance with border public health program objectives and goals. Oversees the creation and administration of initiative and training evaluation tools. Oversees evaluation of the effectiveness and impact of border public health initiatives and training and education programs. Analyzes program activities and makes recommendations for improvement to include developing and implementing action improvement plans. (40%)

EJF 2: Develops, maintains, and promotes partnerships with community residents, local, county, state and federal governments; binational agencies; non-profit and faith-based organizations; universities and community health worker organizations. Provides leadership and facilitation of workgroups, taskforces and meetings related to program planning, development, research, analysis and evaluation functions. Represents the border public health program as a liaison at border-wide conferences and meetings with HHS agencies, other state agencies, federal and binational agencies, community organizations and residents, and internal DSHS programs to explain border public health programs, regulations and laws, and provide technical assistance, as needed. Includes attendance at local border community Texas Mexico sister-city binational health council meetings and events. Assists DSHS programs with binational activities, as needed. Consults with public and private agencies that have interest in border and binational public health to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss border public health program effectiveness. Speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in public health and to secure support for public health programs. Coordinates, plans, organizes, and leads local, state, federal and binational conferences, workshops, meetings, and community outreach activities and events by: seeking and securing funds, sites, developing promotional and educational material, securing audio/visual equipment, seeking availability of Continuing Education Units (CEUs), establishing registration fees, contacting speakers, and developing agendas and programs. (30%)

EJF 3: Oversee the implementation of training needs assessments and environmental scans to understand the current capacity and knowledge of border community health workers and public health workforce to identify gaps in training and provide technical assistance where needed; document challenges and opportunities for partner collaborations; and identify best practices for developing and deploying comprehensive curriculums. Conducts focus groups and/or group discussions related to community-based healthy border initiatives. Performs data analysis for the planning and coordination of border community-based healthy border initiatives to include development and implementation of techniques for evaluating border community-based healthy border initiatives. Collects, analyzes, and uses data to educate and mobilize border communities, develop priorities, garner resources, and plan actions to improve the border public's health to include systematically collecting and analyzing data to provide a basis on decision making of community-based healthy border initiatives. Collaborates with the Office of Border Public Health Epidemiologist to develop a list of health indicators and definitions available for border counties. (15%)

EJF 4: Prepares and distributes program reports of activities, initiatives, and performance measures. Develops summarized analysis of key issues and assessment of impact and needed resources. Monitors community-based healthy border initiative budgets to ensure proper spend-down. Reviews documents and monitors current events related to border public health. Prepares and reviews original correspondence, reports, articles, and educational materials in English and Spanish. (10%)

EJF 5: Other duties as assigned (marginal functions) 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. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Bilingual/Biliterate (English/Spanish) required.

Knowledge of US-Mexico border relationships and dynamics

Knowledge of cultural practices on the US-Mexico border

Knowledge of current social, economic and public health issues

Knowledge of facilitation methods

Knowledge of educational techniques and procedures and presentation techniques

Knowledge of Mexican public health systems and programs

Knowledge of departmental program, policies and procedures, of the relevant laws and pertinent techniques of management, evaluation and program monitoring

Knowledge of computers, hardware or peripherals, and software

Skill in operating audio-visual equipment, computer and applicable software

Skill in time management and organization

Skill in technical writing

Skill in planning, coordinating, and conducting workshops, conferences and meetings

Skill in planning and executing program activities

Skill in effective leadership, management, and administration

Skill in cross-cultural communication

Skill in implementing quality control activities

Skill in communicating (orally and in writing) in English and Spanish

Ability to interpret and follow regulations, procedures, policies and proper protocols of local, state and federal health departments/entities

Ability to translate complicated information into practical and useful reports

Ability to clearly present information orally and influence others in positive or negative circumstances

Ability to work effectively and productively with other professionals and individuals on both sides of the US/Mexico border

Ability to be resourceful and apply initiative to assigned projects and tasks and complete tasks with minimal supervision

Ability to travel away from headquarters and function effectively from these locations to plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures

Ability to create registry systems and spreadsheets

Ability to prepare concise technical reports

Ability to plan, coordinate and organize community meeting and conferences

Ability to develop goals, objectives, evaluation tools and to measure expected outcomes

Ability to work independently, managing multiple tasks and prioritizing assignments

Ability to work well with others, exercising professional demeanor and team work

Ability to analyze and evaluate public health needs

Ability to work and communicate in a culturally diverse environment

Ability to plan, develop, and administer budgets

Ability to travel

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Community Health Worker Certification required at time of employment or must be in the process of receiving certification (certification is required to be completed within 6 months of employment).
Community Health Worker Instructor Certification required at time of employment or must be in the process of receiving certification (certification is required to be completed within 6 months of employment).

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. Fluent in speaking English and Spanish.
2. Current Community Health Worker Certification in Texas and current Community Health Worker Instructor Certification in Texas at time of employment or must be in the process of receiving CHW/CHW-I certification (certification is required to be completed within 6 months of employment).
3. Experience in public health or related field, preferred.
4. Experience using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint).
5. Available for an alternate work schedule including weekends and holidays.

Additional Information:

NOTE:

• May require working hours other than 8-5, M-F
• Must comply with DSHS immunizations policy
• Headquartered in McAllen and travel up to 45% of the time.

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