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.

Review our Top 10 Tips for Success when Applying to State of Texas Jobs.

Brief Job Description:

Under the direction of the Manager of the HPCDP Communication Branch in the Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention (HPCDP) Section, the Information Specialist performs advanced informational, consultative, and technical communications work in support of all chronic disease programs, with a focus on Tobacco Prevention and Control, Asthma, and Comprehensive Cancer (TAC) programs.

Coordinates communication and media-related activities. Responsible for developing and implementing strategic health communications to increase awareness of HPCDP programs. Designs, writes, edits, and produces a wide range of communication and media materials for internal and external use, including templates, newsletters, flyers, brochures, forms, briefings, reports, fact sheets, presentations, and outreach materials. Coordinates with HPCDP staff and appropriate partners to generate complete, accurate, and compelling content. Utilizes creative and innovative techniques to engage target audience. Tracks, analyzes, and develops mechanisms to evaluate communication effectiveness, and improve utilization of media and methods. Maintains content design, and functionality of the program website and SharePoint site. Assists in planning events, such as conferences, webinars, and stakeholder forums. Ensures compliance with Section 508 accessibility standards and other agency policies for HPCDP program materials. Works under general supervision with reasonable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

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.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Assists in the management of contracts for media campaigns, including ensuring deliverables are met on time and within budget. Maintains effective working relationships with funders, partners, and external stakeholders, for planning and coordination of public information campaigns at the state level. Assists in the planning, promotion and execution of programmatic events. Coordinates and exhibits at events, and conferences to promote TAC resources. Monitors and responds to communications-related public inquiries received via the website mailbox. May provide support to program workgroups composed of local, state, and national partners. May provide support to the Tobacco Prevention and Control program’s 1-800 number. (30%)

Works collaboratively with TAC and HPCDP Communications Managers, program staff, DSHS Communications, and external agencies (as applicable) to conceptualize, produce, and disseminate public health information through various channels such as print, websites, exhibits, social media, and others. Participates in a variety of activities that encompass outreach strategy, content development, web support, process improvement, graphic design, and internal/external communication systems. Serves as a program reviewer and proofs materials to ensure messaging is high-quality and meets agency accessibility, plain language, brand, and graphic design standards. Coordinates internally with appropriate staff to generate complete, accurate, and compelling content. Uses innovative techniques and creative approaches to successfully engage the target audience. Develops mechanisms to evaluate communication effectiveness and guide improvements. Obtains all necessary agency approvals for external media and website development and maintenance. Produces and publishes online publications for internal and external audiences following agency approval guidelines. (30%)

Creates and maintains the content, design, and functionality of TAC branch websites and Tobacco Prevention and Control SharePoint site. Works closely with TAC and HPCDP Communications Managers to develop workflows and systems in SharePoint to improve internal communication, streamline processes, and track projects from initiation to completion. Monitors program websites to ensure integrity of information, links, and overall content. Manages the production and dissemination of program publications and outreach materials, such as visual displays, brochures, flyers, flash cards, factsheets, presentations, and toolkits. Maintains TAC branch media stored in HHSC warehouses for public distribution. (25%)

Provides consultative services and technical assistance to contractors, partners and DSHS staff. Includes but not limited to the planning, coordination, and implementation of specialized assignments and projects involving coordination with other programs. Translates vague, technical or legal/jargon into a style and vocabulary for non-technical audiences, when appropriate. (10%)

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. To perform these job duties, this position may require working the extra hours needed to meet defined deadlines and support the agency’s mission critical reporting requirements. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Health promotion and evidence-based public health programs
• Editorial concepts, research, writing, proofreading, and design for internal and external communications
• Design and production for a broad range of public information materials, including the understanding of styles and formats for mass media, specialized outlets, and electronic publications
• Design, implementation, and evaluation of public information campaigns
• Media measurement, evaluation, and distribution techniques and best practices
• Libel, slander, and copyright laws
• Accessibility standards and requirements

Skill in:

• Planning, developing, preparing, and disseminating information to the public and other targeted audiences
• Developing and improving processes and troubleshooting problems
• Using Microsoft Office Suite, specialized design software, and collaboration management tools (SharePoint, Adobe Suite, Drupal, etc.)
• Project management
• Gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing information from numerous sources
• Writing in plain language for print, radio, and television markets and targeting communication at numerous populations, ranging from low literacy groups to healthcare professionals

Ability to:

• Establish effective working relationships with other employees, agencies, contractors, partners, and community groups
• Research, prepare, and direct information effectively; to accurately interpret and translate public health messaging, and to track numerous publications at different stages of development from conceptualization through final printing
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
• Handle multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Creatively explore and propose ideas for effective, yet innovative, communications

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in marketing, communications, public health, or a related field; suitable experience may be substituted if degree is in another field.
• At least two (2) years of experience working in communications and/or marketing

Additional Information:

Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application. Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. without employer’s sponsorship.

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 HHSServiceCenter.Applications@ngahrhosting.com.

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