Purchasing Coordinator

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: Purchasing Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Immunization Unit 
Posting Number: 12966 
Closing Date: 02/03/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 5% 
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 (DHT) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work under the limited supervision of the Vaccine Data & Finance Group Manager, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing vaccine purchases and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. Serves as subject matter expert in financial policy and process and evaluates program budget requests and plans purchasing requests based upon prepared budgets. Provides consultation and technical assistance to Central Office on vaccine purchases.

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%) Oversees the budgeting, purchasing, and invoicing of pediatric and adult vaccine expenditures based on state, federal and state CHIP funds. Creates, tracks, and addresses issues related to transactional requisitions and purchase orders for bulk vaccine orders. Coordinates procurement and budgetary requests with HHSC Procurement and Contracting Services to ensure state and federal funds are sourced to all state purchase orders. For state funded vaccines, coordinates with DSHS Contract Management for contract requests and places direct vendor vaccine orders. Monitors vaccine procurement deliveries and addresses issues as needed. Provides payment authority to DSHS Invoices Fiscal Division for invoice processing.

(25%) Monitors and revises state and federal budgets within their respective reporting system. Serves as back-up to the Finance Team Lead. Assists in maintaining accurate and up-to-date data on expenditures and balances of annual allocations by vaccine type and fund. Assists in ensuring vaccine budgets are spent appropriately throughout the year in accordance with state and program guidelines.

(20%) Budgets and procures bulk vaccine order containing pediatric and adult vaccines with federal and state contracts. Utilizes VTrckS to purchase vaccines and monitors order status. Budgets and procures biological vaccine replenishment orders as needed to ensure maximum vaccine stock levels at the DSHS Pharmacy. Coordinates vaccine purchases with manufacturers and vendors for order placement, delivery, and product information. Tracks federal and state funds in coordination with the Immunization Operations Group.

(15%) Manages the implementation of vaccine and biological forecasting and tracking. Submits the state CHIP quarterly funding reimbursement request utilizing the Vaccine Purchase Estimator Tool. Participates in program planning and development of the immunization vaccine and biological spend plans. Follows Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices recommended vaccine guidelines and adjusts for state coverage rates. Assists with planning vaccine doses statewide according to federal and state guidelines. Consults with CDC advisors to ensure vaccine need supports the Texas Vaccine for Children eligible population. 

(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 obligation for disaster response and/or recovery of Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternative shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of public health program practices, principles, and techniques.
• Knowledge of the immunization program, and state/federal laws relating to immunizations.
• Knowledge of state and federal purchasing practices, requirements, and equipment including CAPPS and VTrckS.
• Knowledge of data analysis and reporting.
• Knowledge of principles of promotion and education materials.
• Extensive PC skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook and SAP Business Objects BI.
• Skill in developing written materials and training.
• Skill in developing electronic reports from databases.
• Skill in responding to customer inquiries and handling difficult customers in a tactful manner.
• Skill in arithmetic, English grammar, and spelling.
• Skill in training others.
• Ability to gather and analyze data and facts, and to devise solutions to problems.
• Ability to communicate processes and procedures clearly and effectively to others.
• Ability to use independent judgment and to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments to meet deadlines.
• Ability to establish effective working relationships with supervisory personnel, co-workers and health professionals.
• Ability to effectively communicate (both orally and in writing) processes and procedures.
• Ability to conduct daytime and overnight travel as necessary.
• Ability to prepare and make presentations.
• Ability to proofread, edit and compile reports and ensure accuracy. 
• Ability to work effectively with others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in community health improvement, public health, healthcare, or a related field.
• Extensive PC skills including Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and VTrckS.
• Experience with fiscal methods, forecasting, or statistical analysis.

Additional Information: 

Applicants selected for an interview will be required to complete an in-basket exercise. 

This position is required to be in office for two months. After two months, this position may be eligible for telework based on performance.

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