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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: Data Analytic Team Program Specialist 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Infectious Disease Prevention 
Posting Number: 13006 
Closing Date: 02/21/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 1100 W 49TH ST (RDM) 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Job Description:
Under the direction of the Data Analytics Team Lead, the Infectious Disease Program Specialist V performs technical assistance with the collection and analysis of infectious disease data within the Disease Surveillance and Epidemiology Section (DSE). This position requires, and will utilize, excellent program planning, coordination, and data processing skills. This position will assist the Data Analytics Team serving as the point for all data and/or open record requests internal and external to the Section, and will collaborate with teams across DSE and DSHS to support program needs. Needs include: working with infectious disease data systems; drafting technical documents including procedures and trainings, internal policies, and public facing materials for the DSHS website; producing public health infectious disease data and statistics; conducting quality assurance activities with infectious disease data; and collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to meet DSE and agency objectives. This position may involve conducting research on public health infectious disease data as time allows. This position is expected to understand state and federal regulations regarding protected health information and personally identifiable information in the conduct of public health activities. This position works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

(30%) Coordinates the development, drafting, planning, and implementation of policies and technical materials pertaining to epidemiological disease investigation processes. Synthesizes data and technical information surrounding infectious disease reporting applies into Unit guidance and procedures, training documents such as data entry methods and codebooks, processes for entry into the agency infectious disease data system, and public facing materials regarding infectious disease data. Coordinates to provide recommendations to the agency and public health programs regarding public health data practices.

(30%) Maintains and coordinates responses to infectious disease data and/or open records requests from internal and external customers. Monitors mailboxes and phone contact requests, processes data requests and data reports, and facilitates communications and data requests processing with DSE subject matter experts. Reviews and triages data requests to the most appropriate groups as necessary and follows up as necessary to facilitate answering requests. Facilitates approved secure data transfers. Provides consultive service to external stakeholders regarding DSE data.

(15%) Collaborates with members of the Data Analytics Team and other DSE teams to conduct quality assurance activities with infectious disease data. Assesses data for inaccuracies and corrects them and/or follows up with public health subject matter experts to resolve inaccuracies. Coordinates with members of the Data Analytics Team to produce official infectious disease public health statistics and data, and to ensure that data matches national datasets. Work with agency data systems to facilitate data updates for quality assurance.

(15%) Collaborates with DSE staff and other Department of State Health Services staff program areas to ensure that infectious disease data and publication materials are in accordance with agency policies and procedures. Participates in workgroups engaged in research, analysis, and evaluation of infectious disease data. Develops complex memos, briefs, and other documents regarding infectious disease data. Conducts public health infectious disease research activities as time allows.

(10%) Conducts duties to meet agency objectives. Other duties as assigned 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 Plan (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None Required

Additional Information:

Applicants will be required to complete an in-basket exercise.

This is an Austin-based position is eligible for a hybrid telework schedule required to come into the office at least 2-3 days/week.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

• Knowledge of federal and state regulations regarding protected health information and personally identifiable information.
• Skills in analyzing and evaluating complex data requests.
• Skill in using computer and statistical software.
• Skill in researching, analyzing, and synthesizing data.
• Skill in developing and evaluating policies and procedures, assessing risks, and making recommendations.
• Skills in written and oral communication, including the ability to make public presentations, and write technical information in an understandable format.
• Skill in project planning, evaluation, and implementation.
• Skill in the use of Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to effectively facilitate meetings and maintain working relationships with staff or program stakeholders.
• Ability to exercise creative problem-solving techniques in a highly complex environment.
• Ability to manage several projects concurrently in a fast-paced environment with multiple priorities.
• Ability to work cooperatively as a team member in a fast-paced, deadline-orientated environment.
• Ability to work independently and perform work with a high degree of attention to detail.

Initial Selection Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• A minimum of two years of experience with policy analysis, public health and/or health care data analysis, or two years of work in a related area with transferrable skills.
• A master’s degree in a related field, may be substituted for two years of policy analysis experience.

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 [email protected].

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