Under the direction and supervision of the Community Health Services Program manager, coordinates and provides direction for the implementation of the DSHS PHR 6/5S COVID-19 Health Disparities grant work plan. Grant activities are focused in Waller County. Serves as a project coordinator to facilitate the planning, scheduling and coordination of grant activities. Develops strategies to achieve objectives and outlined performance measures. Provides guidance and direction on grant priorities to staff, stakeholders and community. Ensures health disparity activities are tracked, documented, and reported. Escalates issues, as appropriate, to management for resolution. Works under general supervision, with moderate 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.

45% Coordinates, directs and implements activities for PHR 6/5S health disparities grant funding. Serves as a project coordinator to facilitate the planning, scheduling and coordination of grant activities. Assists in developing strategies to achieve objectives and outlined performance measures. Assists with the development, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all program activities and strategies for successful implementation of the assigned work plan. Communicates monthly progress and priorities to internal team and external partners to achieve grant objectives. Ensures performance measures and targets are being met in a timely fashion. Attends scheduled meetings with Austin-based Health Disparities grant coordinators and the Office of Public Health Policy and Performance, manager, staff, and stakeholders. Work collaboratively with Regional Community Engagement Specialist (RCES); and Regional Evaluation and Performance Specialist (REPS). Completes monthly reporting for review by manager. Presents information to lay and professional audiences.

35% Provides technical assistance to partners and serves as grant liaison to DSHS staff, local health departments, university staff, and other partners. Supports, and cultivates partnerships between DSHS and academic institutions and other organizations. Attends all grant-related community meetings. Facilitates workgroups, meetings, and action committees to meet health equity objectives. Provide grant-related training as needed. Ensures targets in Interagency Agreement are being met. Provides direction and maintains regular communication with contractors or partners. Provides technical assistance and maintains liaison relationships with community groups and organizations.

15% Ensures health disparity activities are tracked, documented and reported. Provides detailed reports to manager and ensure reporting requirements are met. Prepares reports and correspondence for submission in accordance with grant deadlines. Maintains records of all payments and receivables and prepare monthly records for all grant related activities. Manages incentive log. Tracks action items and timelines to ensure deadlines are met. Makes budget-related recommendations. Is responsible for determining program funding needs and communicating those needs to Community Health Services Manager

5% Performs other duties as assigned including, but not limited to, actively participating in training 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. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management, Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of strategies to address health disparities and advance health equity;

Excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills; ability to communicate and present to lay community members and leadership.

Ability to operate a computer and software applications.

Skill in grant preparation, development, evaluation, and monitoring.

Skill in verbal and written communications.

Skill in planning.

Skill in writing and compiling plans and reports.

Skill in identifying measures of program performance.

Ability to interpret guidelines, policies, procedures, and regulations.

Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Ability to establish goals and objectives, to devise solutions to grant management problems.

Ability to anticipate needs and risk.

Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.

Ability to exercise initiative and creativity.

Ability to maintain effective internal and external working relationships

Ability to communicate constructively and respectfully.

Ability to work in a team environment.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to travel.  

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Texas Class C driver license or equivalent from another state  

Initial Selection Criteria:

Bachelor’s degree required

Master's degree in public health or a health-related profession preferred

Experience working with community coalitions, community organizations and/or experience in community engagement and providing technical assistance  

Additional Information:

Req 569548

This is a grant-funded position. This position is funded until May 31, 2024.

Requires frequent travel to Waller County 3-4 days a week. Grant funding is focused on health disparity work primarily in Waller County. Hybrid remote work with headquarters in Houston office. The candidate will be required to work day shift, evening shift and weekends as needed. Applicants invited to an interview will be required to complete a skills test/in-basket exercise.

Must provide own transportation and meet driving policy to include checking driving records. Requires daytime and occasional late afternoon and weekend travel to assigned rural counties. Mileage reimbursed in accordance to state policy. Required to serve as essential personnel in disaster response activities within regional jurisdiction, to include alternate work hours.

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.

Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.