Section Staff Services Officer

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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: Section Staff Services Officer 
Job Title: Staff Services Officer V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Infectious Disease Prevention 
Posting Number: 13903 
Closing Date: 03/15/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Office and Administrative Support 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
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: 0102,0111,0147,0160,0161,0170,0171,0430,0431,0491,2102,3152,4801,4802,4803,4804,4810,4821,6607,8411 
8412,8840,8862,120X,16GX,20C0,2G0X1,30C0,36A,36B,38FX,3F0X1,3F1X1,420A,42A,42B,42H,4A1X1,51C,60C0 
63A,63AX,63G0,63S0,641X,70C,70F,89A,8A200,8U000,90A,920A,920B,92A,92Z,FIN10,F&S,LS,LSS,PERS,PS,SEI11 
SEI15,SK,WEPS,YN,YNS 

Brief Job Description:

Under the general direction of the Section Director for Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section (DSE) and operating with minimal supervision, performs highly advanced (senior-level) staff services work for the Section.  Advises the Section Director, Emerging and Acute Infectious Disease Unit, Healthcare Safety Unit and the Zoonosis Control Branch on policy implementation in dealing with local, state and federal officials and their staff as well as advising on special projects, personnel issues, agency policies and procedures.  Provides direction and guidance necessary for the day-to-day functioning of the Section and its Units, Branches and Groups.  Works with the Section Director to provide guidance and direction to the Units and Branche on management activities to carry out the mission of the Section, Division and the department.  Identifies needed areas of change or improvement in the Section and makes recommendations.  Liaison to the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist regarding human resources, policies, procedures, assignments, and activities to carry out the mission of the Division.  Represents the Section, as needed, in the absence of the Director. Prepares reports for the Section Director.  Participates in a wide variety of projects, as assigned, affecting most areas of the Section.  Prepares high-level human resources support to DSE managers and directors.  Develops DSE out of state travel plans.  Works under limited direction with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

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

20% Represents and acts on behalf of the Section Director to provide direction and guidance to the Units, Branches and Groups within the Section on policy, planning, and operations of the Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Facilitates and coordinates the flow of administrative assignments and composes/edits final responses. Oversees the workflow of the Section to ensure timely preparation of and response to correspondence, inquiries, reports, and other time-sensitive items. Maintains continuous communication and coordination with Unit Managers and associated key staff through the distribution of memoranda and by conducting and facilitating meetings, as needed. Observes and evaluates potential Section management problems. Prepares reports, formulates resolutions, and advises Section Director accordingly.   Liaison to the Office of Chief State Epidemiologist Division regarding assignments and activities. Prepares reports for the Section Director utilizing Word, Excel, PowerPoint and the Internet.

20% Assigns and manages projects related to DSE operations; reviews written materials and advises the Section staff on DSHS policies and procedures.  Develops policies and procedures and guidelines related to DSHS activities.  Prepares justifications for and assists in implementing procedural or policy changes. Works with managers to initiate written procedures for work systems and policy guidance to staff. Develops policy and procedure manuals. Monitors for compliance and periodically evaluates for possible revisions.  Serves as team lead on program and/or project work teams and outreach activities designed to improve the overall relationship between the Section and Division. Coordinates the submission of the Quarterly Performance Measures for the Section.  Prepares briefing documents and analysis with regards to the Sections Performance Measures.  Serves as liaison with the Division Office in preparing performance measures relating to the LAR process. 

20% Develops out of state (OOS) travel plan for the Section and communicates with the Division office on the plan. Section approval for OOS and In-State Travel requests for Section Director's direct reports.  Coordinates with the Division IT liaison on computer deployments and any relevant systems upgrades.  Responsible for informing and coordinating record retention policies and procedures for the Section. Coordinates Section space needs, moves, IT support/Telcom support where needed. Tracks open records requests.  

15% Provides high-level consultation, support and technical assistance to senior management and section staff for Human Resources and Personnel Issues.  Provides consultation and guidance on highly sensitive and confidential personnel issues.   Keeps abreast of Human Resources-related policy matters to ensure compliance with State and Federal regulations.  Evaluates and implements policies and procedures to ensure compliance with agency requirements. Responsible for assisting with the posting, interviewing and selection process. Coordinates posting and hiring of positions for the Units within the Section.  Provides assistance/guidance to managers regarding screening, interviewing, hiring, promotions, merit increases, disciplinary actions, demotions, and transfer of employees.  Serves as a contact person for human resource issues for the Section. Prepares and coordinates internal Section New Employee Orientation. Tracks Section reporting of open records requests. Performs related duties and assignments as directed by the Section Director.

15% Carries out and oversees special projects as requested by the Section Director and senior DSHS staff. Represents the Section Director with executive and senior level groups at meetings and on committees, task forces and workgroups as requested.  Oversees the planning, implementation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation of administrative processes using facilitation skills, project planning tools, representing the Section on various workgroups, and serving as consultant to the Unit Staff Services Officers.

10% Serves as the COOP coordinator for the section and ensures that units and branch information is up-to-date. Assists in the coordination and recruitment of staff to serve in response efforts. Serves as back up to the Section Offices' executive assistant on the Section Director's calendar and coordination of daily binder. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to serves as the Section Safety Officer and back up emergency floor coordinator.

List the licensure, certification, or registration required to perform this job: None

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

Knowledge of office management, personnel administration, fiscal, purchasing methods and training techniques.

Knowledge of human resources related federal and state policies.

Skill in facilitation, negotiating, conflict resolution and team building

Skill in project management, priortization and program evaluations.

Skill in using the Internet, SharePoint, Excel, Powerpoint, and Word.

Skill in preparing/editing high level written reports and correspondence.

Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

Ability to plan, assign and coordinate the work of others.

Ability to direct program activities.

Ability to establish goals and objectives.

Ability to facilitate meetings and projects and work effectively with teams.

Ability to analyze complex issues, draw appropriate conclusions, and initiate necessary actions to solve problems.

Ability to supervise employees.

Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, federal, state and local officials and their staff and the public.

Ability to organize and prioritize workload and meet deadlines.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience working in the Texas Health and Human Services Enterprise.

Experience coordinating complex assignments.

Experience working on team projects.

Experience in interpreting state administrative policy.

Additional Information:

Applications must demonstrate that the initial screening criteria is met in the Employment History section of the application including any associated minimum times specified in the initial screening criteria.

The salary on this job posting reflects the minimum and maximum allowed, however, budget considerations may result in salary offers closer to the bottom of the range. Internal applicants are encouraged to check the HR manual for any changes to their current salary.

All applicants chosen to participate in the interview process will be required to complete an "in-basket" exercise to demonstrate proficiency and perspectives associated with this role at the time of the interview.

Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

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