Maternal Child Health Strategies Specialist

Job Description:
Program Specialist V
Under supervision of the Region 8 Community Health Improvement Manager (PHR 8 CHI), the PS V performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance around data management and health disparities for PHR 8 CHI program and the region at large (PHR 8) as needed. Uses a variety of methods, data collection, and data analysis to assess for health disparities around Title V Maternal Child Health (MCH) measures as well as emergency preparedness, in general, and around health impacts during specific emergencies, including pandemics such as COVID-19. Provides leadership for MCH performance measure activities and guidance for community engagement. Helps CHI staff develop, plan, implement, and evaluate action plans and programs to address MCH performance measures and identified health disparities in their service areas. Identifies training needs around working with health disparate populations and provides guidance to and coordinates training for CHI staff and community groups. Serves as team lead for CHI health disparity staff and works closely with PHR 8 Health Disparity staff and data management team. May conduct public hearings and group discussions related to public health programs or proposals. Prepares assigned administrative reports. Performs related work as assigned, including special projects. During health emergencies, including pandemic responses such as COVID-19, all PHR 8 employees are expected to provide related public health or emergency response services. This may include response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activities. This participation may require a change in shift, location and/or supervisor. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete essential job functions although most travel will be within the region. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable 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.
MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT (40%). Provides leadership & support for MCH performance measure activities & guidance for community engagement. Helps CHI staff develop, plan, implement, & evaluate activities, action plans & programs to address MCH performance measures & community engagement. Facilitates activities & goals of subject matter workgroups.
HEALTH DISPARITY PLANNING & EVALUATION (20%). Helps CHI clinic staff and grant-funded CHI health disparity (HD) team develop, plan, implement, & evaluate action plans & programs to address MCH performance measures and identified health disparities in their service areas. Assists HD team in planning & conducting community engagement & assessment activities, events to increase COVID-19/influenza vaccination rates, & information sharing activities using community participatory learning & action strategies. These may include public hearings, listening sessions, photovoice, collective action, etc. Provides guidance to the HD team in creating necessary partnerships and the development of an action plan aimed at aligning health disparity efforts and addressing factors that made the targeted community vulnerable to COVID-19 in order to increase resiliency against disproportionate impacts in future pandemics and disasters. Identifies training needs around working with health disparate populations and provides guidance to and coordinates training for CHI staff and community groups.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS (20%). Uses a variety of methods, data collection, and analyses to assess for health disparities around Title V Maternal Child Health performance measures as well as emergency preparedness, in general, and around health impacts during specific emergencies, including pandemics such as COVID-19. Provides guidance to staff and HD team on data collection, community assessment, and analysis. Assists CHI manager in developing program evaluation, performance, and other data collection tools and analyzing results.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT TASKS & TEAM LEADERSHIP (20%) Serves as team lead for CHI health disparity staff & works closely with PHR 8 Health Disparity staff. As team lead, supports the oversight of grant funded health disparity projects in Calhoun County, including the team's documentation of findings, plans, & activities; and design and implementation of evaluation activities. Oversees team in planning and conducting community engagement activities, events to increase vaccination rates and service uptake, community assessment and action plan development events, and conducting public hearings and group discussions related to public health programs or proposals. Routinely uses processes of quality improvement to improve personal, staff, and program performance and to ensure staff and community participation in decision-making. Serves as preceptor for MCH interns and fellows and directs their work. Prepares administrative reports and studies and performs specialized research projects as assigned. Various reports are shared with regional leadership and Austin oversight staff. Follows DSHS/HHSC guidelines & policies.
OTHER DUTIES (5%). Performs related work as assigned. May serve on internal and external committees and support other PHR 8 priorities and events and duties as assigned or approved. During public health emergencies, including weather related disasters and pandemic responses such as to COVID-19, all PHR 8 employees are expected to provide related public health or emergency response services. This may include response, recovery or Continuity of Operations activities. This participation may require a change in shift, location and/or supervisor. Safe operation of a state-owned, rental or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS policy. Must be able to independently travel throughout the State of Texas to complete tasks. Complies with the DSHS Immunization policy. Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws related to public health and consumer protection
Knowledge of principles and practices of public health
Knowledge of health disparities and social drivers or determinates of health
Knowledge of community health promotion theory and program planning
Knowledge of Title V Maternal Child Health performance measures and related evidence-based strategies
Knowledge of community based participatory engagement and neighborhood development techniques
Knowledge of how to conduct interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, photovoice and/or town halls with community and partner organizations as well as other community learning and action strategies

Skill in the use of a personal computer and applicable software, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, Access and PowerPoint
Skill in conducting quantitative and qualitative research, such as through surveys, focus groups, photovoice, asset mapping, community assessment and other techniques
Skill in data collection, data analysis, evaluation, and survey development.
Skill in facilitating interviews, focus groups, listening sessions, and/or town halls with community and partner organizations as well as other participatory learning and action strategies
Skill in working with health disparate populations
Skill in policy analysis and development/program planning skills
Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing for a wide variety of audiences. communication skills
Skills in leadership and systems thinking

Ability to interpret public health laws and regulations
Ability to analyze and evaluate public health needs and services
Ability to develop and evaluate community-based services that improve public health
Ability to prepare reports
Ability to communicate effectively, in English and Spanish, orally and in writing
Ability to demonstrate cultural competency
Ability to travel
Ability to manage multiple projects

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