Division Office IT Liaison

Job Description:
Program Specialist VII
Performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative services and technical assistance work in the Division Infectious Disease Prevention (IDP) under the direction of the Deputy Associate Commissioner. Coordinate with IDP Division programs and HHSC IT to plan, develop, implement, and oversee major IT projects. Analyzes IDP program requirements, and procedures, and develops strategies for improving IT-related program operations. Coordinates and oversees projects and applications within IDP IT portfolio and oversees and monitors project progress. Identify issues and risks on projects and initiatives. Prepares summaries and briefings for senior management on major projects. Coordinates and completes IDP Division and agency assignments on IT procurement, IT project, and capital authority requests working with program managers, IT, and Budget for accurate summaries of needs and appropriate actions. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Essential Job Functions:
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

(30%) Project Management (PM) Oversight of IT Projects: Works with division and section executives to define and prioritize IT projects for the division. Coordinates with IDP leadership, Section IT liaisons, IT, Budget, and Information Resources to identify, define and analyze business/system requirements. Assist with the coordination and implementation of IT projects currently in flight and oversee the delivery of services. Assist with identifying and prioritizing business needs, ensuring alignment with agency goals. Identifies potential project risks and escalates as appropriate. Maintains an open issue/resolution list. Records and updates project issues and resolutions and ensures the retention of documentation in a shared location. May act as a PM when one is not provided, or once the project transitions to operational support and maintenance. Point of contact (POC) for the division on priority and complex projects. Train, lead, assign, and/or prioritize the work of section IT Liaisons as needed. Follows up frequently with IT staff to ensure issues are resolved.

(20%) PM Framework/IT Governance: Serves as senior technical consultant for IDP programs in identifying issues and opportunities and facilitates appropriate action regarding information resources & capital authority. Provides highly advanced technical support to managers to plan, implement, manage, and monitor projects, programs, and services related to IT, & capital authority. Provide guidance to managers in the development and integration of new procedures to improve programs, and advises and interpret policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards of DSHS, Department of Information Resources, Health and Human Services Commission, and other relevant agencies. Identify opportunities to utilize existing or future technology to meet business needs. Provides project management consultation to project sponsors, works with managers to improve operational efficiency, and spearheads quality improvement efforts and special projects as needed. Work with HHSC IT and Program staff (SMEs) to draft Governance Intakes, Project Business Cases, Workbooks, and other required documents to initiate IT projects, as well as draft PIRBOs (Post Implementation Review of Business Outcomes) for completed IT projects.

(20%) Communications: Serves as IDP IT liaison to all areas of HHSC Information Technology (e.g., Governance, Project Management, Management Services, Application Development, Procurement, Business Operations) and with the Budget Section on IT procurement, capital authority issues, and project work plans. Communicates both on a complex technical level and a non-technical level as needed with others (internally and externally) to provide, exchange, or verify information. Answers inquiries, address issues, and resolves problems and/or complaints. Takes the lead on completing division assignments concerning IT-related matters and coordinating with programs to assure the accuracy and validity of information. Keeping upper leadership aware of the progression of status, and prioritizing scope as needed. Communicate changes and division needs with section IT Liaisons. May lead or participate in division meetings providing updates on completed or planned activities.

(15%) Policy/Procedure/QA: Analyzes IDP Division business processes to identify opportunities and develop strategies for improvement. Identifies problems in IT-related program operations across IDP and seeks solutions. Analyze policies and procedures to determine the impact on processes and existing systems. Identify issues concerning technical limitations and key product requirements. Stay up to date with new or changing IT policies/procedures as they relate to IDP IT applications, related support, governance, and procurement, and troubleshoot as needed.

(10%) IT-Related Issues: Consult with IDP staff on software/hardware purchases, review software/hardware justifications, and makes recommendations to managers. Keep track of Software renewals, and projecting hardware needs. Provide guidance and assistance to IDP staff on the resolution of IT-related issues. This may include communication with IT Help Desk to facilitate removing hurdles to complete the resolution.

(5%) Miscellaneous: Performs related work as assigned. 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 Abilities:
•Knowledge of computer systems and applications for data management
•Knowledge of public administration and management techniques
•Knowledge of program planning and implementation
•Knowledge of Project Management practices, principles, and processes
•Knowledge of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies

•Skill in business, program, and systems analysis
•Skill in developing goals and objectives and developing procedures to monitor and evaluate progress
•Skill in coordinating and complex problem solving
•Skill in writing analyses, documentation, and reports
•Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and negotiating and implementing solutions
•Skill in translating complex technical information verbally and in writing for non-technical audiences

•Ability to prepare concise reports
•Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures
•Ability to write and revise standards and procedures
•Ability to assess and manage priorities
•Ability to organize and present complex information to a variety of audiences verbally and in writing
•Ability to communicate clearly, concisely, and effectively
•Ability to work in a team-approach collaborative environment
•Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving
•Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts
•Ability to plan, organize, schedule, and monitor completion of assigned projects

---