Project Coordinator

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.

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Brief Job Description:

The Process Improvement Unit (PIU) Project Coordinator works under the direction of the Director of Process Improvement in the Center for System Coordination and Innovation (CSCI). This position is responsible for supporting efforts towards planning, implementing, and evaluating the agency's cross-program and cross-agency project initiatives. Supports development of reporting tools and mechanisms to regularly report cross division coordination activities and other agency projects to executives and other key staff. Supports managing of DSHS special projects, utilizing project management tools in coordination with agency business and program units. Assists with tracking organizational priorities and monitoring successes and challenges related to the agency’s operational planning activities. Promotes and implements approaches to continuously assess and improve health outcomes and/or business processes.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

EJF 1: The Project Coordinator (PC) serves as a support role to PIU project managers for initiatives that impact key functions within DSHS.

This work involves: providing technical assistance to areas to aid in the development of project charters and work plans at the start of a new project; ensuring that critical project documentation is completed timely; facilitating project status reporting; ensuring that any discussion or decisions made regarding project status are accurately captured in the tracking system; and assisting PIU project managers when it is time to close out a project (30%).

EJF 2: The PC plays a supportive role in the management studies conducted by the PIU team. This work involves: analyzing pre-existing data sources (quantitative and qualitative) and identifying possible trends; contributing to the design and implementation of survey tools; contributing to the development of tools needed to carry out the fieldwork portion of the study; ensuring all logistical arrangements are made which minimizes work interruptions for the area under review; participating as a member of the study team in conducting interviews; helping identify the key findings; proposing recommendations for change that represent practical solutions to problems identified during the study; and, assisting in the drafting of a plain English report that makes a persuasive argument for the recommended changes being offered. (30%).

EJF 3: The PC is responsible for researching innovations, best practices, and emerging trends in the fields of work carried out by DSHS and identifying and developing opportunities for business process improvement. This work involves coordinating with DSHS program areas to ensure that proposed policy changes result in more efficient and effective program operations. This work also involves assisting PIU project managers in process mapping workflows to better understand connections between work areas and to streamline operations. The PC will assist with documenting findings of research projects in a plain English report that makes a persuasive argument for any recommended changes being offered (15%).

EJF 4: The PC is responsible, in conjunction with others, to produce a variety of communication items related to departmental planning exercises as well as monitor and track department-wide initiatives being undertaken at DSHS that may include: DSHS strategic and operational plan initiatives, response to legislative requests or reports, grant reporting requirements, etc. (15%).

EJF 5: The PC is responsible for continually increasing their skills in the services and tools provided by the PIU team which can include but is not limited to: data analysis; survey methodology; business planning; report production; process mapping; focus group facilitation; project management; management analysis; mapping software (5%).

EJF 6: Performs other duties as assigned. 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 activation. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location (5%).

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of public health and health care policy issues, systems of service, and programs.

Knowledge of project management methodology/tools.

Knowledge of organizational development and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of programs and procedures.

Knowledge of data and system improvement models, tools and other system-based tools, including but not limited to MS Power Apps, Tableau, or similar solutions.

Skill in effectively organizing and presenting complex information in written and oral communications.

Skill in analyzing and solving problems in collaboration with numerous stakeholders.

Skill in providing consultation and technical assistance to varied audiences.

Ability to establish effective working relationships with staff at various levels of an organization, agencies, providers, and stakeholders.

Ability to understand and align operations and support strategies according to business needs.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Registrations, Licensures, and Certifications

Certification in a project management / process improvement training program strongly preferred (e.g., Lean Six Sigma, CAPM, PMP, higher education certificates in project management, etc.). If no certification at time of hiring, one will be required within the first year of employment.

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