Dept of State Health Services Hiring For Youth Health Survey Coordinator at Austin, TX 78756, United States Full Time

Job Description

The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) seeks highly qualified candidates to fill the Youth Health Survey Coordinator position within the DSHS Center for Health Statistics, Community Assessment Team. DSHS plays an important role with a mission to improve the health, safety, and well-being of Texans through good stewardship of public resources, and a focus on core public health functions. The Community Assessment Team is responsible for administering the collection of public health survey data and producing statistics on adult and youth risk behaviors.

In addition to rewarding, meaningful work, we offer a variety of benefits, which can be found at

https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance, and generous leave based on years of service. A list of State of Texas holidays is available at: http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Holidays.

Youth Health Survey Coordinator (Research Specialist V)

Serves as primary coordinator and subject matter expert for the Texas Youth Risk Behavioral Surveillance System (YRBSS) and School Health Profiles (SHP) survey. Performs advanced (senior-level) epidemiological work for the YRBS and SHP, the Center for Health Statistics (CHS) and the Community Assessment Team within it. Work involves: Serving on, collaborating, and coordinating with teams of health specialists; investigating public health problems; planning, developing, and conducting surveys of adult and youth health behaviors; soliciting and securing grant funds to conduct YRBSS and SHP surveys; coordinating administration of YRBSS and SHP grant requirements; providing oversight of contracts and contractors to conduct the YRBSS and SHP surveys; conducting outreach activities to meet survey data collection requirements; preparing YRBSS and SHP data files for dissemination; serving as backup for Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) activities when needed; analyzing YRBSS and SHP data; disseminating results through presentations and publications; and conducting statistical programming necessary to support these activities. Work may involve analysis and dissemination from BRFSS as well. Responds to incoming data requests from the public, media, researchers, schools and universities, health officials, and other governmental agencies for epidemiological information, utilizing data from the YRBSS and the SHP survey. Provides technical assistance and consultation. Activities involve intermittent travel. Works under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
EJF 1. Coordinates Texas’s administration of the YRBSS and SHP. Administers the Texas YRBSS federal grant, including soliciting and securing grant funds to conduct YRBSS and SHP surveys. Maintains grant and associated budget. Uses funds to coordinate Texas’s YRBS and SHP data collection efforts. Integrates feedback from primary stakeholders in survey design. Coordinates the administration of YRBSS and SHP grant requirements, including providing oversight of contracts and contractors to conduct the surveys and conducting activities to meet federal survey collection requirements. (30%)

EJF 2. Prepares and disseminates YRBS and SHP survey data. Works with CHS staff and team members in preparing data files, conducting analyses of these data files, and preparing statistics for dissemination and reporting. Evaluates findings from YRBS and SHP survey data and relevant research. Reports results to various stakeholders including professional, state, and national organizations. Contributes to web-based data dissemination projects and query systems. Uses statistical programming techniques, involving the SAS statistical software package to do so. (20%)

EJF 3. Communicates with stakeholders on YRBS and SHP survey administration, including uses of data and statistics from surveys. Provides consultative and technical assistance to stakeholders via telephone, written correspondence, and through training as needed. Produces materials that inform stakeholders on use of surveys. Develops brochures, posters, presentations, and visual aids. Works with professional groups to stimulate interest in the YRBS and SHP. (20%)

EJF 4. Responds to requests for YRBS and SHP data and statistics from the public, DSHS and CHS staff, researchers, governmental agencies, professional groups, and other stakeholders. When necessary, coordinates with other program staff in the production and dissemination of BRFSS data and statistics. (15%)

EJF 5. Serves as primary administrator of YRBS and SHP contract. Coordinates with contracts managers on requests for proposals (RFPs) and invitations for bids (IFBs) for the YRBS and SHP. (10%)

EJF 6. Other duties as assigned (5%)

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of the principles and methods of epidemiology and related bio-statistics; and of chronic diseases, survey statistics, health surveillance and environmental exposures.

Knowledge of SAS statistical software.

Knowledge of statistical concepts, research methods, principles, techniques, and their application.

Knowledge of YRBS and SHP survey data as available through CDC or state programs.

Knowledge of survey measurement and evaluation.

Skill in using SAS statistical software package, including writing syntax to perform statistical analyses.

Skill in both verbal and written communications.

Skill in graphical presentation of data including charts, tables, and maps.

Skill in conducting quantitative research.

Ability to manage complex data sets.

Ability to plan, organize, and oversee epidemiological research projects.

Ability to assemble, correlate, evaluate, and analyze data.

Ability to prepare technical reports using statistics and effective written and verbal communication.

Ability to train and/or coordinate the work of others; and to plan, conduct, and produce reports from surveys.

Ability to work effectively in teams and with both the lay public and public health professionals.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships, set priorities, and manage time efficiently.

Ability to present technical material to a nontechnical audience.

Ability to work independently and in a team setting to deliver results in an environment of complex organizational interactions and competing demands.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

Initial Selection Criteria:
Master’s degree with major course work in public health, epidemiology, chronic diseases, biostatistics, or a related field; or professional experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, survey statistics, statistical software, managing and analyzing data, or preparing/publishing technical reports. Certification in SAS a plus.

Additional Information:
Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but are not limited to: 35F, 38B, 49A, IS, 683X, OSS, 0231, 8050, 8850, 61AX. 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 Military Crosswalk at http://www.hr.sao.state.tx.us/Compensation/JobDescriptions.aspx.

MOS Code:
35F, 38B, 49A, IS, 683X, OSS, 0231, 8050, 8850, 61AX

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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.