Training and Exercise 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: Training and Exercise Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Region 7 
Posting Number: 16760 
Closing Date: 05/27/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Range: $5,000.00 - $5,525.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 40% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: TEMPLE 
Job Location Address: 1010 OLD WACO RD 
Other Locations: Temple 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:

Combine your interests in public health and emergency management as the Training and Exercise Coordinator on the Public Health Region 7 Preparedness Team.  This position coordinates public health preparedness training and exercise activities. The Training and Exercise Coordinator enhances regional capacity to respond to disasters by assessing and evaluating training and exercise needs and developing, facilitating, and evaluating trainings and exercises. This position assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure during public health emergencies and participates in after-hours on-call rotation. Works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.

Public Health Region 7 is comprised of 30 counties in central Texas, is situated along the I-35 corridor between Hillsboro and San Marcos, and stretches from San Saba in the west to Madison County in the east. It is home to the capital of Texas, major universities, teaching hospitals, and numerous state parks and other outdoor adventure opportunities.

Essential Job Functions:

Training Coordination: Coordinates, develops, and/or provides preparedness and skill development trainings.  Assesses staff training needs. Develops multi-year training plan.

Preparedness Exercise Coordination: Designs and facilitates preparedness exercises following Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP) guidance. Determines exercise needs, establishes objectives, develops realistic scenarios, creates exercise materials, facilitates exercise activities, and evaluates exercises. Conducts hotwashes and after action reviews to document best practices, lessons learned, and improvements.

Preparedness and Response Coordination: Works closely with team members and partners to develop and maintain public health preparedness response plans, to exercise health and medical capabilities, and to strengthen community resilience across PHR 7.  Builds relationships and provides technical assistance on public health planning, exercising, and response to county officials in assigned counties.

Public Health Preparedness: Participates in public health preparedness projects, planning, activities, meetings, and documentation in accordance with the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Cooperative Agreement. Contributes to the development, writing, interpretation, and implementation of public health preparedness guidelines, processes, and plans.  Develops and maintains knowledge and skills in public health preparedness.  Appropriately documents activities supporting public health preparedness and response. 

Public Health Emergency Monitoring and Response: Participates in the on-call rotation providing 24/7/365 phone coverage for the reporting of infectious diseases and public health emergencies.  Assumes an active role in the regional incident command structure during public health emergencies and/or exercises. Coordinates with emergency management personnel, and city, county, state and federal officials during an event or incident.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilites:

Knowledge of public health and public health emergency preparedness and response
Knowledge of the concepts and principles of adult learning
Knowledge of training and development principles and techniques
Knowledge of quality assurance methods and reports 
Knowledge of group processes, group dynamics, and interpersonal relations
Knowledge of emergency preparedness and response practices, including public health response, concepts, and organizational structure in Texas
Knowledge of emergency management
Knowledge of state and federal health resources available to local communities during emergencies and disasters
Skill in developing, conducting, and evaluating training
Skill in problem identification, analysis, and resolution
Skill in identifying trends
Skill in conducting risk/needs assessments
Skill in developing, implementing, and evaluating preparedness plans
Skill in providing technical assistance to partners
Skill in meeting facilitation techniques, team building, and conflict resolution
Skill in managing and tracking multiple projects at different stages of development
Skill in using computer software including word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software
Ability to plan and conduct effective trainings and meetings
Ability to train/teach and make public presentations
Ability to develop training objectives and assess effectiveness
Ability to write processes and guidance documents.
Ability to conduct quality assurance reviews, evaluate trainer performance, and summarize findings in performance reports
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts and make recommendations  
Ability to create training products including flyers, presentation, forms, handouts, etc.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions
Ability to prioritize workload and meet deadlines
Ability to interact effectively and professionally with persons from diverse cultural, socioeconomic, educational, racial, ethnic and professional backgrounds
Ability to participate as a proactive team member within regional and community work groups
Ability to build relationships with team members and stakeholders in both in-person and virtual work environments
Ability to work effectively with managers, co-workers, members of the public and professional groups
Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing, including preparation of detailed reports
Ability to maintain confidentiality

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must possess a valid Class C Texas driver’s license, or equivalent license from another state.

Initial Selection Criteria:

Experience working in public health, preparedness, or emergency management – minimum 2 years

Graduate degree in Public Health, Education, Emergency Management, or related field may be considered in lieu of experience (preferred)

Preferred - Experience developing and/or coordinating exercises

Preferred - Experience in adult education and training

Preferred - Completion of ICS 300, ICS 400, and/or HSEEP

Preferred - Experience in public health emergency or other disaster response

Preferred - Master Exercise Planner

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