Job Description
The PS VII (Policy Lead) reports to the Senior Advisor. The Policy Lead performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance to assist the Senior Advisor and the Director of the Office of Public Health Data Strategy and Modernization (OPHDSM) in strategic operations and planning for the Office; establishing priorities and objectives and determining the progress towards meeting department objectives and goals; coordinating program activities and functions; directing, coordinating, and monitoring highly complex projects which span across all program areas. Projects are diverse and vary depending on department and programmatic needs but can include policy research and development, budget, legislative activities, communications, stakeholder relations, and information technology. Represents the OPHDSM on behalf of the Senior Advisor and communicates with federal, state, and local project stakeholders, in addition to multiple levels of agency leadership and other relevant parties. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Functions:
(40%) Oversees the development and implementation of communication plans to identify and build positive rapport with appropriate audiences, including federal, state, and local internal and external stakeholders. Coordinates on the development, review, edit, and final approval of accurate, concise, and consistent responses to high profile inquiries. Under direction from the Senior Advisor, responds to inquiries and requests for information from stakeholders, consumers, and the public. Initiates, develops, edits and ensures the coordination of high-profile materials including briefing documents, issues papers, correspondence, bill analysis, talking points, speeches, charts, tables, and other data visuals. Coordinates review and revision of agency reports and publications.
(40%) Assists the Senior Advisor on leading projects, convening groups potentially comprised of both internal and external stakeholders on agency priorities, initiatives or policy issues. Supports the Senior Advisor on the coordination with DSHS Divisions and other health and human services agencies. Projects are diverse and vary depending on department and programmatic needs but can include policy research & development, budget, legislation related activities, communications, stakeholder relations, and information technology.
(15%) Reviews and analyzes all legislation related to the Office of Public Health Data Strategy and Modernization, tracks legislative bills, develops bill analysis, and manages all bill implementation projects for the office, which span multiple years. The Lead Strategist oversees major bill implementation projects which involve Office of Public Health Data Strategy and Modernization and the agency. Develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates standards, policies, and rules to support essential operations and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
(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.
(40%) Oversees the development and implementation of communication plans to identify and build positive rapport with appropriate audiences, including federal, state, and local internal and external stakeholders. Coordinates on the development, review, edit, and final approval of accurate, concise, and consistent responses to high profile inquiries. Under direction from the Senior Advisor, responds to inquiries and requests for information from stakeholders, consumers, and the public. Initiates, develops, edits and ensures the coordination of high-profile materials including briefing documents, issues papers, correspondence, bill analysis, talking points, speeches, charts, tables, and other data visuals. Coordinates review and revision of agency reports and publications.
(40%) Assists the Senior Advisor on leading projects, convening groups potentially comprised of both internal and external stakeholders on agency priorities, initiatives or policy issues. Supports the Senior Advisor on the coordination with DSHS Divisions and other health and human services agencies. Projects are diverse and vary depending on department and programmatic needs but can include policy research & development, budget, legislation related activities, communications, stakeholder relations, and information technology.
(15%) Reviews and analyzes all legislation related to the Office of Public Health Data Strategy and Modernization, tracks legislative bills, develops bill analysis, and manages all bill implementation projects for the office, which span multiple years. The Lead Strategist oversees major bill implementation projects which involve Office of Public Health Data Strategy and Modernization and the agency. Develops, implements, monitors, and evaluates standards, policies, and rules to support essential operations and to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
(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:
Demonstrated ability to direct and organize department/program functions and activities; to provide strategic leadership to manage staff and large/complex projects; to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives; and to communicate effectively with elected officials, executive management, and all levels of staff.
Knowledge of the Texas public health system, and local health departments.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal fiscal and program statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to Department of State Health Services programs and services.
Knowledge of project management theories, techniques and implementation.
Knowledge of federal data modernization initiatives and policies.
Experience with managing, coordinating operations and support services for public health data systems, as well as the state and federal laws and regulations relevant to these programs; developing and presenting analyses, and managing complex projects and initiatives.
Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business or project strategy.
Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
Skill in relationship building and working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues and stakeholders.
Skill in writing analyses, documentation, proposals, plans, policies, procedures, standards, or reports.
Skill in developing and evaluating standard operating procedures and program policies.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities in an environment of change and high-stress.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
Skill in the use of computer for word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, data visualization, and mainframe applications.
Skill in communicating complex ideas clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing to various audiences.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities in an environment of change and high-stress.
Skill in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex health or administrative data into a format that is easily understood by a variety of audiences.
Skill in composing, editing, proofreading and drafting executive level communication documents and presentations.
Ability to plan, organize, schedule and monitor completion of assigned projects.
Ability to assess and manage priorities.
Ability to organize and present complex information to a variety of audiences verbally and in writing.
Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving.
Ability to lead in a team-collaborative environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to exercise judgment in evaluating situations, making decisions, and effectively working through areas of conflict
Ability to work well with consumer and advocacy groups and other stakeholders.
Ability to establish positive relationships with individuals and groups with diverse needs and priorities Ability to convene groups potentially comprised of both internal and external stakeholders to achieve program objectives.
Ability to research, compose, review, illustrate, and edit technical documents, materials, and reports.
Demonstrated ability to direct and organize department/program functions and activities; to provide strategic leadership to manage staff and large/complex projects; to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to work with internal and external stakeholders to achieve objectives; and to communicate effectively with elected officials, executive management, and all levels of staff.
Knowledge of the Texas public health system, and local health departments.
Knowledge of local, state, and federal fiscal and program statutes, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to Department of State Health Services programs and services.
Knowledge of project management theories, techniques and implementation.
Knowledge of federal data modernization initiatives and policies.
Experience with managing, coordinating operations and support services for public health data systems, as well as the state and federal laws and regulations relevant to these programs; developing and presenting analyses, and managing complex projects and initiatives.
Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business or project strategy.
Skill in problem-solving, conflict resolution, and negotiation.
Skill in relationship building and working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues and stakeholders.
Skill in writing analyses, documentation, proposals, plans, policies, procedures, standards, or reports.
Skill in developing and evaluating standard operating procedures and program policies.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities in an environment of change and high-stress.
Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions.
Skill in the use of computer for word processing, spreadsheet, presentations, data visualization, and mainframe applications.
Skill in communicating complex ideas clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing to various audiences.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities in an environment of change and high-stress.
Skill in gathering, analyzing, and synthesizing complex health or administrative data into a format that is easily understood by a variety of audiences.
Skill in composing, editing, proofreading and drafting executive level communication documents and presentations.
Ability to plan, organize, schedule and monitor completion of assigned projects.
Ability to assess and manage priorities.
Ability to organize and present complex information to a variety of audiences verbally and in writing.
Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving.
Ability to lead in a team-collaborative environment and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to exercise judgment in evaluating situations, making decisions, and effectively working through areas of conflict
Ability to work well with consumer and advocacy groups and other stakeholders.
Ability to establish positive relationships with individuals and groups with diverse needs and priorities Ability to convene groups potentially comprised of both internal and external stakeholders to achieve program objectives.
Ability to research, compose, review, illustrate, and edit technical documents, materials, and reports.
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
N/A
N/A
Initial Selection Criteria:
1. Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.
2. Experience in public health programs and data.
3. Experience writing complex information for a wide variety of audiences.
4. Experience coordinating across programs and agencies.
5. Experience in working to improve systematic data quality.
1. Bachelor’s degree required. Advanced degree from an accredited four-year college or university preferred.
2. Experience in public health programs and data.
3. Experience writing complex information for a wide variety of audiences.
4. Experience coordinating across programs and agencies.
5. Experience in working to improve systematic data quality.
Additional Information:
This position will work in the office with only occasional opportunities for telework.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
This position will work in the office with only occasional opportunities for telework.
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.
Salary Note: The salary offered will follow DSHS starting salary guidelines. Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds.
MOS Code:
There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities of this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the initial selection criteria for this position.
There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the responsibilities of this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if they meet the initial selection criteria for this position.
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