The Program Specialist VII (Strategic Partnerships Advisor) supports the work of the Public Health Partnership Advancement Section within the Center for Public Health Policy and Practice (CPHPP) of the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS). Work involves developing, cultivating, and maintaining strategic partnerships that will improve public health practice, research, and policy. The Section strives to improve efficiency of the public health system by identifying opportunities for synergy both within the agency and with external partners, thus reducing duplication of effort and maximizing resources across the state.
This position provides highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance to agency programs on systems approaches to population health; interfaces with nontraditional partners to support cross-sector engagement across the agency and the Health and Human Services System; and identifies potential affinities between agency programs. This position operates under minimal supervision of the Director of Public Health Partnership Advancement within CPHPP with extensive latitude for use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Functions:
Partnership Building (30%): Builds and maintains strong working relationships with DSHS staff and external partners to improve public health practice, policy, and research. Regularly participates in various workgroups, meetings, conferences, and other networking opportunities. Interfaces with a wide variety of external partners, including but not limited to state agencies, nonprofits, philanthropy, and community leaders. Maintains high-level awareness and solid understanding of agency projects, programs, people, and priorities to connect agency programs to appropriate partners and integrate workflows to promote and facilitate collaboration. Contributes to the growth of the agency’s network of external traditional and non-traditional partnerships and facilitates connections to agency programs. Coordinates and nurtures agency- and system-wide collaboration.
Technical Assistance (25%): Provides technical assistance and support to agency programs coordinating specialized external stakeholder groups. Maintains awareness of policy changes within HHS programs and services. Identifies opportunities to operationalize policy into action or inform policy change. Stays current on evidence-based and promising public health practices. Identifies and analyzes relevant literature to inform the development of evidence-based interventions and policies to improve the health of vulnerable populations and address agency health priorities. Trains field staff in best practices for community engagement and community-based participatory data collection. Assists field staff in identifying and engaging cross-sector partners to address needs of vulnerable and/or underserved communities.
Facilitation (20%): Provides highly advanced planning, facilitation, consultation, and detailed coordination for high profile meetings, workgroups, and events, including priority project workgroups, and community engagement or outreach events. This includes overseeing the detailed logistical planning, communicating with internal and external stakeholders, creating meeting materials, facilitating discussions, assigning and monitoring tasks and action items, and preparing summary reports. Promotes cohesion and efficiency through clear communication, provides useful organizational tools, exhibits attention to detail, and ensures follow-through. Builds trust, resolves conflict, elevates risks and issues as appropriate, and cultivates positive and lasting working relationships. Supports agency programs in one-to-one and small group meeting facilitation and coordination of larger stakeholder groups.
Project Management (20%): Provides project management support to cross-division or interagency collaborations, including creating and monitoring project workplans, setting goals, developing metrics, tracking and reporting progress, and ensuring completion without formal authority. Coordinates and facilitates project-related meetings, delegates tasks, and provides guidance and technical assistance to project team members. Produces high-quality reports, professional oral and written presentations, and regular project updates. Prepares and supports the development of responses to funding opportunities for health disparities, partnership building, and cross-agency work, including budget evaluation. Represents CPHPP and DSHS at meetings and conferences. Works across CPHPP to support Center priorities and collaborative projects.
Other Duties as Assigned (5%): Represents CPHPP and DSHS at meetings and conferences and performs other related work as assigned, which may 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. CPHPP is an active partner in response activities. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, administrative rules, program policies, and procedures relevant to DSHS program areas.
Knowledge of program and policy planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
Knowledge of HHS programs and services.
Knowledge of the Texas legislative process.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health.
Knowledge of community-based participatory engagement techniques.
Skill in health policy analysis.
Skill in writing readable documents/reports dealing with complex subject matter.
Skill in communicating, both orally and in writing, for a wide variety of audiences.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in group facilitation.
Skill in strategic planning and project management.
Skill in interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
Skill in Microsoft Suite.
Ability to foster collaborative relationships and build partnerships with a wide array of organizations and entities across multiple sectors.
Ability to think critically and make decisions or suggestions based on limited information.
Ability to identify potential public health system changes that meet the needs of vulnerable populations.
Ability to interface with a wide variety of audiences, including the public and elected officials.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with a wide range of internal and external contacts.
Ability to work efficiently and effectively both individually and as part of a team.
Ability to organize and develop work plans, coordinate assignments, and adhere to strict deadlines.
Ability to show initiative and follow through on tasks.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze complex facts and distill the findings into a coherent message.
Ability to exercise creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment.
Ability to use or learn software necessary to perform duties and assignments successfully.
Ability to organize workload and set priorities.
Ability to manage projects effectively and produce quality work.
Ability to work independently and perform work with a high degree of attention to detail.
Ability to communicate with diplomacy.
Ability to work with a variety of leadership styles.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Initial Selection Criteria:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business, communications, government, public affairs, public health, or related field. Advanced degree preferred.
At least three consecutive years of full-time, paid professional experience in state or local government, social service delivery, or a nonprofit setting. Experience within the Texas Health and Human Services System strongly preferred.
Experience in partnership development.
Additional Information:
Requisition # 609064
**IMPORTANT** PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION PRIOR TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION:
This is a grant-funded position with anticipated funding through November 2027.
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application but may be provided as supplemental materials. All fields on the application must be filled-in completely. Applicants must provide information relevant to the required experience for this position in the job history sections of the application.
If selected, a candidate must be able and willing to provide professional references before a final offer of employment is extended. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Salary Note: Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer.
Selected candidate for this position will need to maintain compliance with DSHS Immunization Policy.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS
MOS Code:
There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities of this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the initial selection criteria for this position.
HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to Jobs at HHSC and DSHS