Program Specialist V (AUSTIN, TX)

 

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: Program Specialist V 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of State Health Services 
Department: Epidemiology & Surveillance 
Posting Number: 16554 
Closing Date: 07/09/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $5,888.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
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: 201 W HOWARD LN STE 200 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

 

Brief Job Description:

Under the limited supervision of the Analytics Group Manager, the Program Specialist V uses knowledge to independently perform highly complex disease database management. Provides complex and advanced oversight of sexually transmitted disease (STD) data in the HIV/STD Integrated System (THISIS). This includes effective, secure, and efficient storage, retrieval, and archiving of information from multiple program sites into the THISIS system, which includes local and regional health departments across the state. Provides programmatic and technical assistance to the THISIS users located at each of the remote sites statewide. Develops and implements procedures, standards and policies relating to the operations and design of THISIS and its STD components.  Performs site reviews statewide of STD surveillance sites, this includes local and regional health departments. Assists in establishing goals and objectives for the statewide STD surveillance program (THISIS) and monitors progress toward those goals and objectives. Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.      

 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. 

(35%) Performs THISIS quality assurance activities, including data cleanup, workflow management, person and event deduplication, and data analysis. Conducts weekly transmission to the CDC and works with CDC to resolve any identified errors. Runs routine quality assurance reports and corrects case data and patient records as necessary.

(30%) Participates in development activities for STD products and performs user acceptance testing activities. Provides feedback on question packages, workflows, report development and process changes for THISIS implementation. Provides 2nd-Tier support by troubleshooting issues with STD modules, providing guidance to end users, forwarding unresolved concerns to the THISIS administrators, and logging defects in Jira.

(20%) Provides technical assistance on THISIS, eHARS lookup file, ELR imports, and other programs such as WinZip, Citrix, and networking issues by phone or email. Develops technical assistance procedures and instructions. As an STD Surveillance subject matter expert, assists with trainings on specific functions in THISIS. Conducts scheduled HIV/STD program site reviews. Identifies and communicates concerns about site performance and data quality. Provides feedback to sites on ways to resolve issues and improve outcomes.

(5%) As an STD surveillance subject matter expert, works with staff and vendor to create specifications for native STD reports in THISIS. Generates reports in THISIS based on a required schedule or as-needed. Develops and generates ad-hoc reports in THISIS based on statewide program and/or individual site needs. Creates files for analysis on request. Collaborates with staff to identify gaps and to develop and/or modify THISIS workflows to meet program needs.

(5%) Performs general data cleaning. Maintains eHARS lookup file. Creates and deletes user profiles and reset passwords. Maintains STD*MIS data archives.

(5%) 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 (COOP) activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of public health

• Knowledge of laws, rules and regulations related to disease reporting and surveillance activities

• Knowledge of sexually transmitted diseases                    

• Knowledge of disease control and reporting, in particular HIV/STD disease control and reporting

• Knowledge of HIV/STD laboratory reports

• Knowledge of data collection, security practices, and statistics used in the health field

• Skill in preparing effective oral and written communication, reports and correspondence

• Skill in data management and analysis

• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance

• Skill in operating computers and applicable software

• Ability to prepare comprehensive and accurate reports  

• Ability to use complex computer software and hardware and learn all relevant data systems

• Ability to use integrated database systems for disease surveillance

• Ability to manipulate data in a database and manage databases

• Ability to resolve data entry and retrieval problems         

• Ability to use statistical software packages to analyze large datasets          

• Ability to keep and maintain strict confidential information                            

• Ability to process information and perform mathematical calculations

• Ability to retrieve and extract data from medical charts and data

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with professional personnel and the public

• Ability to gather, correlate, and analyze facts and perform complex problem solving

• Ability to work effectively with others, as well as independently

• Ability to adapt to a changing work environment

• Ability to be an effective team member in identifying and resolving problematic issues

• Ability to maintain and/or monitor tracking systems

• Ability to develop, interpret, and follow branch, section, and agency policies and procedures

• Ability to train and provide technical assistance to others

• Ability to manage and consolidate information

• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments     

 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications: 

N/A

 

Initial Selection Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a concentration in Public Health, Social Work, Public Administration, or a closely related discipline is required. A master’s degree or higher is preferred. A minimum of 5 years’ experience in HIV/STD, sexual health services, or public health is required. College level education and work experience may substitute for each other, for up to four years. 

 

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