Senior Public Health Follow-Up Consultant

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: Senior Public Health Follow-Up Consultant 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: HIV Prevention 
Posting Number: 17217 
Closing Date: 08/20/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
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 20% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Under the supervision of the Public Health Follow- Up Manager, the Program Specialist V performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work to promote the adoption of HIV, STD prevention interventions. The position requires specialized knowledge in planning, implementation and evaluation of the application of HIV/STD public health follow-up techniques, the coordination of activities to promote public health follow up best practices and use of database management systems for the collection and analysis of data quality.

This position develops program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals and job aids in accordance with program objectives and goals and will support the coordination and implementation of projects within the team for accessing STD testing services and analysis of outcomes and serve as a liaison to internal staff, community stakeholders and federal partners.

The position collaborates with other DSHS programs and with local, state, and federal agencies. Works under the general direction of the Public Health Follow Up Manager with extensive latitude for 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.

50% Provides high-level administrative, consultative, and advisory duties in planning, directing, and evaluating public health follow-up techniques. Research methods and develop strategies to implement, monitor, and evaluate partner services program outcomes statewide. Develops written guidance for the utilization of the database management system for end users. Provides written resources to improve data entry and quality for the analysis of disease intervention outcomes. Provides technical assistance to address programmatic barriers. Guides, directs, and provides technical assistance to HIV/STD programs by telephone, on-site, and in writing.  Technical assistance may include interpreting DSHS program standards, administrative and program requirements, and policies. Serves as liaison with state and local HIV/STD public health follow-up programs, to ensure maximum program effectiveness of disease intervention strategies. Represents the program to local, state, and federal agencies to ensure collaborative public health efforts.

20% Coordinates the development of program procedures and prepares written guidance for the dissemination to state and local public health follow- up partners. Identifies and prioritizes program manuals and job aids for internal and external stakeholders. Reviews relevant documentation and observes programmatic activities related to the delivery of effective and efficient STD HIV prevention services.  Works with program staff at all levels to adequately assess quality service delivery, which may include direct observation of public health follow-up activities.

20% Oversees and participates in special projects, program analyses, and research studies, including the evaluation of program efficiencies, procedures, and overall program goals and objectives. Presents findings of the evaluation to local, state, and federal partners. Coordinates with Section staff on the implementation of projects focused on expanding access to STD testing services.

Lead work groups and projects, conduct meetings, and contribute as a subject matter expert.  Writes regular project updates, final reports, and technical documents which include education material, contracts, manuals, tools, guidance, standards, policies, and procedures. Coordinates the development of program procedures and prepares written guidance for the dissemination to state and local public health follow- up partners. Identifies and prioritizes program manuals and job aids for internal and external stakeholders. May serve as the liaison for interdepartmental collaboration in the delivery of HIV/STD Public Health Follow-Up Services. Special projects are assigned as needed. This includes, but is not limited to, work with the Contracts Management Unit, Operations Unit, Finance and Contracts Group, Health Communications and Community Engagement Group, HIV Prevention Group, Planning Group, HIV Care and Medication Unit, Pharmacy Unit, and the HIV/STD/HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit.

(10%) 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:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program areas and of the principles and practices of public administration and management

• The natural history, epidemiology and management of HIV and syphilis

• Considerable knowledge of scope of HIV and STD problems in Texas

• Extensive knowledge of programming designed to prevent HIV and STDs

• Understanding of HIV/STD surveillance and disease investigation processes.

• Working knowledge of budgeting process, grant application writing and reviewing, and administrative oversight of grant funded programs.

Skills in:

• Project planning, development, implementation and evaluation

• Developing, integrating, implementing and evaluating data collection methods

• Leading and facilitating diverse workgroups

• Identifying problems in systems, programs, developing and implementing successful resolutions

• Establishing priorities, solving problems and meeting deadlines

• Establishing goals and objectives

• Gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts

• Develop and evaluate policies and procedures

Ability to:

• Communicate effectively, orally and in writing

• Facilitate meetings

• Review, analyze and interpret morbidity and program performance data

• Work effectively with others and deal tactfully with professional personnel as well as with the public

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse groups including public health executives, peers, customers and clients

• Develop and measure achievement of established goals

• Analyze and solve work problems

• Prepare effective correspondence and reports

• Make independent judgments and provide guidance to section staff.

• Create work systems which support increased productivity, quality improvement, and reduction in re-work

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Not Applicable

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in public health, health sciences, healthcare administration, or a related field. At least 4 years of relevant professional experience in HIV prevention or care services can be substituted for the educational requirements.

Four years of experience in HIV prevention or care services.

Trained in current data collection systems (preferred).

Additional Information:

In addition to the interview, there is a written exercise.

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