Public Health Emergency Preparedness Liaison

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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Functional Title: Public Health Emergency Preparedness Liaison 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Hlth Emer Preparedness Respons 
Posting Number: 16128 
Closing Date: 05/06/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: 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 (RBB) 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the direction of the Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Manager, within the Preparedness Management Unit of the Center for Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Section (CHEPRS), serves as a specialist on the PHEP program management team. Works closely with all CHEPRS staff and across the agency to ensure that PHEP activities are coordinated with stakeholders, integrated across functions and programs, and meeting federal cooperative agreement and DSHS guidelines. Independently and/or in collaboration with the Team Lead, develops processes to ensure timely submission of annual cooperative agreement application and associated reports. Develops components of the cooperative agreement and related reports. Reviews submitted reports and budgets to ensure consistency, accuracy, and compliance with federal guidelines. Works with local health department contractors and health service regions to identify issues, needs and concerns and seeks resolution for same. Coordinates with the Preparedness Management Unit Director, Grants Manager, Contract Management Section, Grants Monitoring Team, Resource Coordination Team, PHEP and Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) staff and team leads to develop work plans and scope of work, respond to inquiries, review budgets and budget change requests; reviews quarterly reports and addresses program gaps. Develops and implements project management timelines and tracking mechanisms to evaluate program impact and to ensure timely collection and submission of federal cooperative agreement applications and reports. Coordinates with section staff to document state preparedness performance at state, regional and local levels. Serves as subject matter expert for issues related to the PHEP funding opportunity announcement and other PHEP requirements. Performs advanced consultative services and provides technical assistance work with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Currently,the CHEPR Section offers 1 to 4 days telework to its team members, in accordance with agency and division telework policy. This position’s ability to telework will be determined by CHEPR leadership, Region and Local Health Operations policy, and agency telework policies. Staff performance is monitored to ensure appropriate use of work hours and agency assets. The position will be required to come into the office, as directed, to fulfill essential job functions and for any public health response activations.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

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

(40%) Serves as PHEP Program Specialist for PHEP, CRI, and HPP contractors and health service regions. Works with local health department contractors and health service regions to identify issues, needs and concerns. Coordinates with the Preparedness Branch, other section and agency staff, Contract Management Unit, PHEP, Grants Monitoring, and HPP team leads, Resource Coordination Team to develop contracts, respond to inquiries, review budgets, review quarterly reports and address program gaps. Tracks and facilitates responses to requests from the regions and contractors regarding preparedness activities. Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares material in response to requests for information and reports.

(30%) Coordinates the development and management of the PHEP cooperative agreement. Works closely with staff in the Section and across the agency to ensure that CDC PHEP program activities are coordinated, integrated, and meet federal cooperative agreement and DSHS guidelines. Identifies and coordinates with stakeholders to involve key participants in program development and strategic planning and obtains input on key program activities and reports. Reviews or evaluates information on preparedness activities to identify gaps and makes recommendations for improvements. Participates in cross functional, multi-disciplinary teams within the Section, Division of Regional and Local Health Operations, and DSHS. Develops process to obtain and oversee stakeholder activities required by cooperative agreement application and coordinates resources and activities to meet federal agency activities.

(20%) Serves as a subject matter expert for PHEP. Serves as a project manager for special projects initiated by the local, regional or central office level. Maintains expertise on public health emergency preparedness programs including hospital preparedness. Prepares and facilitates PHEP and HPP meetings including setting agenda items for the Statewide PHEP meeting. Works collaboratively with HPP to set joint meeting agendas.

(10%) Other duties as assigned. May include special project assignment. Employee actively participates in the State Medical Operations Center, State Operations Center, regional and/or local operations centers, joint field offices, or Disaster District operations centers during disaster responses and/or recovery efforts and completes all training requirements. Other duties as assigned may include actively participating during disaster responses and/or recovery efforts, serving in a supporting role during a disaster response and/or recovery effort, and assisting in work to maintain agency continuity of operations during disaster responses and/or recovery efforts. Other duties may require working an alternate schedule to include evening, nights or weekends and may require travel.  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of program development and management practices.
Knowledge of core public health functions.
Knowledge of program evaluation techniques.
Knowledge of public health emergency preparedness programs and grants.
Knowledge of applicable agency and federal policies and procedures.
Knowledge of state and federal laws relating to public health preparedness and response.
Skill in evaluating programs and making recommendations for improvements.
Skill in developing policies and procedures.
Skill in verbal and written communication.
Skill in creative problem solving.
Skill in identifying program trends.
Skill in using word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software.
Skill in coordination with stakeholders.
Skill in project management.
Ability to develop and implement effective monitoring techniques.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and make recommendations.
Ability to provide effective consultation and technical assistance.
Ability to manage program activities.
Ability to prioritize, plan, and coordinate assignments.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
Ability to work with diverse groups of people.  

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None, CTCM Preferred  

Initial Screening Criteria:

1. At least one year of experience with public health, public health emergency preparedness, or emergency management. (Education can be substituted for experience)
2. At least one year of experience with grant management, program management, contract management, or project management.  (Education can be substituted for experience)

Additional Information:

Selection for interview is based on the quality of information in the summary of experience and education for each position listed on the employment application, clarifying how the applicant meets each initial selection criterion. Meeting the initial selection criteria does not guarantee the applicant will be selected for an interview. Education can be substituted for experience.

Selected candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

The final salary offer for this position must follow DSHS starting guidelines and will be based on the candidate's qualifications and the program area budget at the time of hire.

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