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 Educator
Job Title: Program Specialist III
Agency: Dept of State Health Services
Department: Region 2/3
Posting Number: 20020
Closing Date: 08/26/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services
Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $4,564.17
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 70%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: ABILENE
Job Location Address: 4601 S 1ST ST
Other Locations: Abilene; Wichita Falls
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Under the direction of the Community Health Improvement Manager, performs moderately complex (journey-level) public health education and promotion work. Performs duties that support identified population-based maternal/child health and tobacco prevention regional issues, increasing local capacity to carry out public health essential functions and create or enhance the public health presence in rural counties with limited or non-existent public health resources. Responsible for assessing community needs, resources and capacity; plan, implement, manage and evaluate health education and promotion interventions and campaigns; and serve as health education and promotion subject matter expert. Collaborate with internal and external partners to offer a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary approach to health education and promotion to address community health gaps and needs. Works under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Due to the work of this program, the person filling this position must not use tobacco products (combustible or non-combustible) including e-cigarette/electronic nicotine delivery devices. This position requires extensive travel including driving long distances and overnight stays on a regular basis. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for continuity of operations activation during public health emergency response and recovery. Must comply with HHS, DSHS, Texas Department of Public Safety applicable policies/procedures/standards. This position is office-based, Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. Work may require evenings and weekends.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT: Plans, develops, and coordinates equitable population-centered evidence-based interventions addressing identified Maternal/Child Health (MCH) and Tobacco Prevention priorities. Conducts assessment of communities by identifying existing resources that engage individuals and populations in health behaviors while examining quantitative and qualitative county-level, regional, state, and national health, social and economic data to identify MCH and tobacco prevention gaps and priorities. By identifying patterns and gaps in data and interventions, make recommendations for new health education programs and promotions. Collaborate with internal departments, organizations, community members, schools, and officials through work groups, committees, and special projects to determine and/or facilitate course of action for development, implementation, management, evaluation, and sustainability of equitable population-centered services to meet identified health issues. Serves as health education and promotion subject matter expert through the provision and/or development of resources, training, consultation and implementation, management and evaluation of strategic health education and promotion interventions and campaigns. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (45%)

HEALTH EDUCATION: Prepares, delivers and/or coordinates MCH and tobacco prevention presentations and trainings to community organizations and partners to provide education on identified health issues. Identifies MCH and tobacco prevention presentation and training needs; develops goals and objectives; develops evaluation plan; evaluates processes, techniques, and impact; and propose recommendations for improvement. Maintains professional health education competency in the essential public health services, community collaboration and development, MCH and tobacco prevention diseases, and associated population-based and tobacco prevention priorities and interventions through trainings, conferences, webinars, and membership in professional organizations. Maintains certifications related to program interventions. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (30%)

CHILD FATALITY REVIEW: Facilitates and/or participates in Child Fatality Review Teams (CFRT) in assigned communities. Provides support, direction, technical assistance, and training to local CFRT to ensure quality reviews of child deaths. Identifies and develops communication strategies and techniques for increased awareness of CFRT best practices and sustainable interventions that may assist CFRT communities in reducing childhood fatalities. Facilitate communications with multidisciplinary stakeholders to develop CFRT strategic plan identifying goals, objectives, and evaluation of interventions. Serves as health education and promotion subject matter expert to local CFRT Coordinator and CFRT Presiding Officer. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. (20%)

REGIONAL SUPPORT AND DISASTER RESPONSE/RECOVERY: Participates in regional assignments/duties/special initiatives. Actively participates and/or serves in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for continuity of operations activation during public health emergency response and recovery. Requires completion at minimum FEMA Incident Command System 100, 200, 700 and 800 courses. Required to work other than normal business hours, an alternate shift pattern and/or locations in order to respond to public health emergencies. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions. Maintains compliance with DSHS Policies and HHS Fleet Operations and Management Procedures and Standards, and a current valid Texas Driver's License. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

KNOWLEDGE OF:

Principles and practices of effective public health practice and health equity.

Community health needs assessment processes.

Continuous quality improvement. Concepts of health education and promotion including planning, development, implementation, management, and evaluation of programs/interventions/campaigns.

Public health best practices and evidence-based interventions.

Local, state, and federal laws related to maternal/child health and tobacco prevention.

Texas laws and statutes related to public health.

SKILL IN:

Conducting community health needs assessments.

Analyzing public health data.

Planning, implementation, management and evaluation of public health education and promotion programs/interventions.

Project management.

Facilitating strategic planning and collaborations to achieve objectives.

Development, delivery and/or coordination of health-related presentations and trainings.

Oral and written communication that is culturally appropriate.

Use of office equipment, desktop/laptop computer equipment and software- including, but not limited to Microsoft Suite applications.

ABILITY TO:

Work independently and as part of a team.

Gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze data information from a variety of sources.

Prepare programmatic reports.

Devise solutions to problems.

Complete required certifications (i.e., Community Health Worker, Child Passenger Safety Technician).

Interpret policies and procedures.

Establish and maintain effective communication and working relationships with employees, management, and general public.

Prioritize work, plan assignments, and manage time effectively.

Serve as health education and promotion subject matter expert by providing guidance to others.

Meet travel demands associated with the position, which includes driving long distance and overnight stays on a regular basis.

Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.

Work in an office-based setting Monday-Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

Required: Texas Driver's license or driver's license from another state with the intent to obtain a Texas driver's license.

Community Health Worker certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.

Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.

Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES or MCHES) preferred but not required.

QPR Gatekeeper Instructor certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.

First Aid/CPR/AED Instructor certification preferred or must be able to obtain within 6-12 months of hire.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in public health, community health, health education and promotion, or related field.

Must be able to independently travel 70% of the time throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions.

At least two years of experience in public health, tobacco prevention, community health, health education and promotion, or related field.

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

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