Public Health Follow-Up Lead

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 Follow-Up Lead 
Job Title: Publ Hlth and Prevent Spcl V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: STD Public Health Follow-up 
Posting Number: 10353 
Closing Date: 01/22/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Management 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $6,281.33 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,60C,68S,68Z,HM,HS,MED,NAP11,SEI12 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) administrative, consultative services, planning, development, and implementation of statewide partner services standards, and technical assistance work in the HIV/STD Prevention Unit. Work involves planning, developing, implementing, coordinating, and evaluating public health follow-up procedures and goals for local and regional health departments through consultative and technical services to agency program staff, other governmental agencies, community-based organizations (CBO), and the public. Develops, evaluates, and establishes program goals and objectives while identifying program efficiencies to be implemented in the field. Provides consultative and technical assistance for public health follow-up consultants at the Department of State Health Services Central Office. Collaborates with other departments, local and regional health departments, and federal partners. Oversees the training of central office public health follow-up staff and others within the HIV/STD Section at Central Office, as well as in the local and regional health departments. Evaluates staff development needs. Work is performed under minimal supervision of the Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD) Prevention Manager with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

30% Monitors and evaluates the work of public health follow-up consultants and provides training and technical assistance. Develops and plans training of new staff to improve staff performance. Monitors staff documentation of site reviews, technical assistance reports, and corrective action plans. Develops action plans to improve the performance of local and regional health department public health follow-up programs. Performs staff recruitment and interviews for consultant vacancies. Oversees and provides guidance to consultants while investigating allegations for high level complaints and grievances and responding to public inquiries or concerns. Models best practices during site reviews and other programmatic communications. Trains new staff on central office role with data systems.    

25% Develops and implements public health follow-up program guidelines, priorities, procedures, and policies and monitors compliance with set policies and procedures. Oversees program adherence to established program standards. Monitors and evaluates or coordinates evaluation of current program standards. Develops strategies to identify, analyze and address problems impacting public health follow-up activities. Identifies areas in need of change and makes recommendations to improve operations.

20% Plans, implements, coordinates, monitors and evaluates local health and regional health departments’ performance, as well as the performance of the state of Texas overall regarding public health follow-up activities and other funding objectives. Coordinates program evaluation activities and site reviews. Provides written and verbal feedback, including recommendations to local and state officials to improve program outcomes. Monitors program disease trends in coordination with other program staff.

15%: Oversees and participates in special investigations, program analyses, and research studies to include the evaluation of program efficiencies, procedures, and overall program goals and objectives. Presents findings of the evaluation to local, state, and federal partners.

5%: Performs related duties as assigned by supervisor (marginal functions). 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 to state and federal partners; represents the agency at meetings, conferences, seminars, panels, and committees; works with and speaks to community partners to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the public health follow-up program; and serves as a liaison with local, state, and national partners. Serves as a surrogate for the program manager when needed.

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 or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Local, state, and federal laws related to the program area
• Public health administration and management techniques
• Analysis and program evaluation
• Interviewing, training and statistical analysis processes
• Program planning, implementation and evaluation
• Natural history, epidemiology, and management of STDs and HIV
• DSHS Program Operating Procedures and Standards
• Research techniques
• Disease intervention strategies
• Current disease trends and populations experiencing health disparities
• Social determinants of health
• Public health follow-up procedures and practices
• Various data collection systems
• Special projects impacting or involving enhanced disease intervention activities

Skills in:

• Using computer to prepare documents and comprehensive reports, and presentations
• Problem solving
• Developing clear and effective oral and written communication with culturally and professionally diverse audiences.
• Organizing and writing reports using business English grammar and a professional/business writing style.
• Conducting program oversight and evaluation.
• Using internet, MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint and other computer applications.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships across organizational lines.
• Identifying measures and indicators of public health follow-up program and staff performance
• Data management system used for STD reporting and documentation
• In navigating challenging situations
• Providing constructive feedback to program staff and contractors
• Leading and facilitating workgroups

Ability to:

• Function without direct supervision
• Communicate clearly both verbally and in writing
• Gather, assemble, and analyze data related to STD surveillance and public health follow-up activities
• Establish goals and program objectives to ensure program is meeting federal and state standards
• Evaluate opportunities and new techniques for improving public health follow-up program disease intervention efficiencies
• Develop policies and procedures for public health follow-up
• Communicate effectively, tactfully, and professionally in written and spoken formats across DSHS section areas, DSHS divisions, local and regional health departments, and other collaborative partners
• Train new program staff on current processes and procedures
• Participate in diverse workgroups; to analyze and evaluate public health needs and barriers to care or intervention
• Establish program priorities, solve problems and meet deadlines
• Establish and monitor progress towards program goals and objectives
• Direct program activities by planning and organizing work in a logical and efficient manner
• Independently solve problems and adapt to changing program needs
• Productively work and interact with people with diverse backgrounds, education levels, and cultures
• Maintain information security and confidentiality

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None

Initial Screening Criteria:

Four-year college degree with at least five (5) years of experience with public health follow-up and STD surveillance activities. Trained in Disease Intervention strategies and supervision. Trained in current data collection systems (preferred).

Additional Information:

Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete a short writing assignment after the interview.

This position is not eligible to 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