Public Health Nurse IV

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 Nurse IV 
Job Title: Public Health Nurse IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Maternal & Child Health Prog 
Posting Number: 12627 
Closing Date: 02/10/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $8,157.67 
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: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 290X,46AX,46FX,46NX,46PX,46SX,46YX,66B,66C,66E,66F,66G,66H,66N,66P,66R,66S,66T,66W 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Serves as the Branch Manager and oversees the daily operations and staff of the Maternal Health and Safety branch. In consultation with the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Unit Director and the MCH Senior Nurse Advisor, develops, implements, and evaluates the goals and objectives of branch programs, such as TexasAIM. Oversees the establishment goals and objectives; developing and approving schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and managing evaluation activities. Provides leadership to assure that program activities are integrated with other intra and interagency initiatives and activities and are in alignment with and work to achieve agency, state, and national goals and objectives. Oversees and monitors maternal and infant health safety grants, contracts, work plans, performance measures, budgets, progress reports.  Oversees the development, review, revision, and implementation of maternal health and safety legislation. Work is performed with minimal supervision, with extensive 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.

(35%) In consultation with the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Unit Director and the MCH Senior Nurse Advisor, oversees, develops, implements, and evaluates the goals and objectives of multiple business functions and complex Maternal Health and Safety Branch (MHSB) programs, such as legislatively-mandated TexasAIM. TexasAIM supports Texas birthing hospitals with evaluation, technical assistance and collaborative learning to make quality improvement changes that lead to improved outcomes for mothers in our state. Regularly coordinates MHSB initiatives, legislatively-mandated strategies, and activities with other agencies and stakeholders. Develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates standards, policies, and rules to support essential operations and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations. Initiates and guides special studies to assess program outcomes for evaluation. Provides independent, specialized public health, maternal health and safety, and health care quality improvement expertise and leadership to MHSB programming.  Represents the Department of State Health Services (DSHS) on formal committees, workgroups, and educational trainings relating to maternal health. Develops and reports on strategic plans and long- and short-term goals for the department.

(30%) Supervises and manages the highly specialized MHSB staff. Work includes overseeing the complex daily operations of the Branch, identifying staff development and training requirements, performance monitoring and conducting performance evaluations, approving leave, recommending and approving merit increases, counseling staff as needed, interviewing and selecting individuals for hire, and providing ongoing guidance and leadership in staff work efforts. Oversees the establishment goals and objectives; developing and approving schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and managing evaluation activities. Provides leadership to assure that program activities are integrated with other intra and interagency initiatives and activities and are in alignment with and work to achieve agency, state, and national goals and objectives. Identifies areas of needed change and makes recommendations to improve operations.

(20%) Leads the generation of ideas and design methods for program quality improvement initiatives in consultation with the MCH Unit Director, MCH Senior Nurse Advisor, and regional leadership. This will require travel to regional clinics and outreach settings to ensure that continuous quality improvement methods and procedures are followed. Identifies needed areas of change and makes recommendations/leads implementation of techniques to evaluate and improve program activities, including contractor activities. Serves as the Branch lead on development of grants, including the Title V Block Grant, and contracts with MHSB staff. Ensures adherence to agency policies and procedures for grants, contracts, interagency agreements, and requests for proposal. Monitors status of grants, contracts, interagency agreements, and requests for proposal to ensure progress through stages of approval for timely implementation and for progress toward achievement of specific milestones and goals. Establishes and monitors complex grant and contract budgets.

(10%) Oversees the development, review, revision, and implementation of maternal health and safety legislation, Reviews, tracks, and prepares analyses of state and federal legislation relevant maternal health and safety. Developing and evaluating budget requests, monitoring budget expenditures, and making adjustments as necessary.

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 activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center team.  Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of women's and maternal health and issues pertaining to health care and public health programs serving these populations

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations impacting maternal and child health

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health administration and management

Knowledge of the legislative process

Knowledge of quality improvement principles and methods and project management

Knowledge of health needs, barriers, and disparities among diverse Texas populations

Knowledge of the federal grants development process and state requirements

Knowledge of best practices in women's, maternal, perinatal, and infant health service delivery

Skill in oral and written communication

Skill in administering large-scale process and quality improvement initiatives

Skill in using personal computers, with knowledge of word processing and ability to learn other applications as required

Skill in conducting planning activities including developing goals and objectives for strategic planning and evaluation

Skill in developing and evaluating administrative policies, procedures, and protocols

Skill in interpreting scientific research and data to guide activities

Skill in analyzing, evaluating, and solving work problems and implementing effective solutions

Ability to plan, organize, manage and complete multiple and competing activities in a timely fashion

Ability to establish, and monitor progress toward achievement of, goals and objectives 

Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others

Ability to work in a professional manner with employees and the general public and to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse individuals and groups

Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely and communicate effectively orally and in writing, including to prepare reports

Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must be licensed as a registered nurse by the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Licensed as a registered nurse by the State of Texas or a state that recognizes reciprocity through the Nurse Licensure Compact.

A minimum of 2 years’ experience working in the field of maternal and child health or similar program with a public health perspective. 

A minimum of 2 years’ experience in supervision of employees including hiring, staff development and evaluation, counseling, and identification and implementation of human resource activities.  

Experience in program planning and management.  

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