Diabetes Program Specialist

Program Specialist V

Under the general direction of the Manager for the Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease Branch in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Section within the Community Health Improvement Division, performs highly complex educational and technical assistance work. Assists the Diabetes Program Team Lead in strategic planning and engaging and monitoring organizations providing diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) and diabetes prevention programs (DPP), that use evidence-based strategies and may be accredited or recognized.

Assists in contract management, including development of solicitations, scopes of work, monitoring deliverables and budgets. Works with the Diabetes Program Team Lead in the development of grant applications, continuation applications and annual progress reporting. Manages and monitors contracts funded by federal grants and provides technical assistance to support the implementation of grant strategies and activities.

Identifies and develops trainings and other resources for developing and strengthening community and clinical linkages and increasing sustainability. Assists the Diabetes Program Team Lead in preparing reports and briefings, and contributes expertise as a participant in workgroups, special projects, and intradepartmental collaborations. Assists with program support for the Texas Diabetes Council and its workgroups and in developing legislative reports.

Works under limited supervision, with moderate latitude for use of initiative and independent judgement. Essential Job Functions:

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

(40%) Provides advanced, complex consultative services and technical assistance to organizations providing diabetes self-management education and support (DSMES) and/or diabetes prevention programs (DPP) by connecting them to evidence-based strategies and resources. Maintains knowledge of national diabetes standards and communicates these with staff, contractors, and stakeholders.

Monitors the process for DSMES accreditation/recognition and DPP recognition and maintains site lists. Participates in program planning and develops programmatic language for requests for proposals and contracts in collaboration with the Diabetes Program Team Lead and contract management staff. Develops contract scopes of work, review, negotiate, and monitor contractor budgets, expenditures, and performance in accordance with agency policies.

Provides evidence-based recommendations to contractors and state agency staff on methods and procedures for program improvement. Provides technical assistance and training for contractors and state agency staff.

(35%) Researches, identifies, develops, and disseminates resources to staff, contractors, and stakeholders to develop and strengthen community and clinical linkages and increase sustainability. Develops, provides, and/or coordinates training and training materials related to community-clinical linkages, referral mechanisms, reimbursement, team-based care models, and engaging non-traditional providers (e.g., community health workers, pharmacists) in the care team to improve diabetes prevention and management outcomes.

Develops a repository of standards, protocols, and tools for the Diabetes Prevention and Control Program to use when providing technical assistance. Works with the Branch Grants Coordinator to help develop reporting templates. Identifies potential state or regional partners with local presence to engage in community-based work. Reviews training curriculum for non-traditional care team members to assess efficacy for diabetes prevention and management.

(10%) Assists the Diabetes Program Team Lead in developing grant applications, preparing reports, briefings, fact sheets, and other information as requested. Prepares and presents information at meetings, conferences, and trainings.

Assists with project management and strategic planning. Develops and maintains internal and external partnerships to expand collaboration and disseminate best practices and lessons learned related to diabetes prevention and control efforts. Participates in state-level planning to promote team-based care using evidence-based approaches to engage non-physician healthcare team members in chronic disease management. Contributes expertise as a participant in workgroups, special projects, and intradepartmental collaborations.

(10%) Assist with program support for the Texas Diabetes Council (TDC) and its workgroups as needed. Documents activities and assists in developing legislative reports and other documents which include input from TDC, its committees, and state agencies. Contributes to documents and analyses for legislative session.

(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.

To perform these job duties, this position may require working extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency's mission critical reporting requirements. Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of evidence-based practices and strategies related to diabetes prevention and control.

Knowledge of program planning, implementation, evaluation, monitoring and management.

Knowledge of partnership development strategies.

Knowledge of health disparities and inequities.

Knowledge of quality improvement practices.

Knowledge of state and federal laws, policies, rules, and requirements related to diabetes.

Skill in programmatic assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Skill in planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and managing multiple projects and activities.

Skill in gathering and analyzing data for program decisions and writing reports.

Skill in effective verbal communication and public speaking.

Skill in working with diverse groups and committees comprised of internal and external stakeholders.

Skill in contract development, monitoring and oversight.

Skill in preparation of grant applications.

Skill in group processes and facilitation.

Ability to work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary team and with outside groups.

Ability to solve problems, coordinate activities, set priorities, and manage multiple deadlines.

Ability to provide technical assistance, consultation and training for staff, contractors and other stakeholders.

Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts and devise solutions to operational problems.

Ability to develop, evaluate and interpret policies and procedures.

Ability to build relationships with internal and external stakeholders based on shared priorities.

Ability to facilitate groups with divergent opinions.

Ability to abide by Department of State Health Services Universal Expectations, Guiding Principles, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Conduct. Registration or Licensure Requirements:

None. Initial Selection Criteria:

Bachelor's degree required, graduate degree or higher education preferred. At least three (3) years of experience in a field related to diabetes, chronic disease, clinical or community preventive services, or public health.

Experience with grants or contracts preferred. Additional Information:

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

Application/Resume: Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. 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. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

An in-basket exercise may be required as part of the interview process.

There are telework opportunities for this position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship. MOS Code:

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include: OS, 611X, OSS, 8U000, 16GX, YN, 612X, PERS, 60C0, YNS, 641X, 63G0, 712X, 86M0, 86P0, 88A0,

88B0. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Crosswalk at https://hr.sao.texas.gov/compensationsystem/jobdescriptions

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

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