Scientific Program Specialist

Job Description :

The Scientific Program Specialist performs highly advanced consultative services and technical work under the supervision of the Senior Scientific Advisor (SSA) in the Office of the Chief State Epidemiologist (OCSE) Division.

This is an Austin-based position with the option for partial remote work. The candidate selected for this position must be able to regularly work in-person at DSHS Headquarters in Austin, Texas.

Primary Responsibilities :

• Provides coordination and support to program areas on Division priorities, initiatives, and issues.
• Leads planning, implementation, and monitoring of advisory committees, task forces, and external academic and public partnerships.
• Develops, reviews, and approves briefing documents, reports, presentations, and bill analyses.
• Leads special projects and serves as the liaison to external partners and stakeholders.

This position will work closely with internal and external stakeholders and the general public. Candidates must have exceptional verbal and written communication skills and the ability to express complex ideas clearly and accurately to various audiences.

Candidates should also have strong interpersonal skills to be able to lead in a team-collaborative environment and establish positive, effective relationships with diverse groups. Essential Job Functions :

35%) Works on projects and priorities related to current and emerging public health issues, trends, and topics. Convenes groups comprised of academic partners, local / national public health partners, legislative offices, and others to advance agency priorities, enterprises and / or policy development.

Serves as a liaison and support for projects with internal / external collaborators and partners, reviews contracts and budgets, and overall project management.

20%) Works with division leadership to coordinate assignments, briefing documents, correspondence, presentations, abstracts / publications, and other data products for public health, medical professionals, and stakeholders.

20%) Coordinates the management of advisory committees and task forces. Works with DSHS and other state agencies to develop meeting materials and manages the distribution of agendas, presentations, and minutes to external partners and stakeholders.

Develops, edits, and conducts final review to ensure accurate, concise, and consistent responses to inquiries.

20%) Leads special projects, performs programmatic evaluations, identifies the need for new programs or alterations to existing programs, and develops guidance on procedural changes.

Reviews, develops, and tracks legislatively mandated reports, legislative analysis and cost estimates, and may support other legislative activities.

5%) Performs other duties as assigned including but 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 Abilities :

Knowledge of the Texas public health system and local health departments, bill analysis and coordinating responses to legislatives inquiries, and local, state, and federal fiscal and program statutes, rules, regulations, and policies.

Skill in the budget and contract review, the use of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and verbal and written communications including expressing complex ideas clearly / accurately to various audiences, composing and editing executive level documents / presentations, and conducting written analysis, proposals, or reports.

Ability to lead in a team-collaborative environment, manage priorities and follow projects through to completion, and research, compose and edit technical documents, materials, and reports.