Public Health Program Specialist I

Job Description:

Public Health Program Specialist I

Description

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Related experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License at the time of hire and maintain during employment, as necessary for position.

Notes to Applicants
Position Overview:
As a Public Health Program Specialist I, you will be a member of the Red Ribbon Outreach Prevention team. In that position, you will be responsible for providing free STI testing in various settings, both clinical and non-clinical, to assist efforts in stopping the spread of STIs in our community. You will also be responsible for conducting outreach and education with current and future community partners, tabling in the community, and developing tailored awareness campaigns. As this is position carries an outreach component, your hours will vary.

APH Information

• This position supports Austin Public Health’s Mission and Core Purpose identified in the Austin Public Health Strategic Plan .
• Departmental Competencies related to the position can be found on Austin Public Health’s website .

Be a part of Austin Public Health, https://youtu.be/wJgNIc3ivkA .

“The City of Austin is a tobacco-free workplace. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any City of Austin worksite- including construction sites, parking lots, garages, or in personal vehicles parked on the premises”.

Sign-On Bonus (*For those meeting eligibility requirements):

This position is eligible for an APH Sign-On Bonus.

• After 30 days of hire - $500
• Complete 1 year of service with APH - $1000
• Complete 2 years of service with APH - $1500

Immunization Requirement:

• Due to high-risk areas, Austin Public Health employees must comply with the department’s immunization policy.

Driving Requirement:

• This position requires a Valid Texas Class C Driver’s License or the ability to acquire one by your hire date. External New Hires must meet the City of Austin’s Driver Record Evaluation ( DRE ) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. The job offer is contingent on having a driving record that meets the City’s Driver Record Evaluation Standards.

Grant Funded Position

• This position is grant-funded, meaning its financial support comes from allocated funds that may be modified, reduced, or canceled at the discretion of the City of Austin or the grant provider.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine your salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide the job title, employment dates and description of responsibilities for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• The application is an official document; incomplete applications will not be considered. A resume will not be considered, in lieu of a completed City of Austin application.
• Please understand that your job application, cover letter, and resume will be used to measure or assess your written communication skills, including grammar and spelling, in helping us screen applications and determine candidates to be interviewed.
• Work experience listed must include month, year, and a verifiable Supervisor or Human Resources phone number.
• When completing the supplemental questions, please note that your answers must be supported by information contained in your application.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED :

• Each individual who submits an Application as provided in the Municipal Civil Service Rules and meets the Minimum Qualifications for a Competitive Position shall be considered a Candidate for that Position. Employees, in Good Standing, who are Candidates within the Department or division that the Position resides in and who meet the Minimum and Preferred Qualifications (if any) of the Position will be included in the initial interview.
• All Austin Public Health worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any Austin Public Health worksite - including parking lots, garages, or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.
• When public health responds to an emergency you may be assigned activities that are outside your regular job description. This may involve responding at any time, including nights and weekends with possible deployment to locations other than the Austin Public Health.
• This position is eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness ( PSF ) Program. This program is a federal program that is intended to encourage individuals to work in public service by forgiving the balance of their federal student loans.

Salary and Benefits:

• Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications. This position comes with a comprehensive benefits package consisting of medical and dental coverage, paid sick, vacation, and personal time, and a retirement plan.

If you are selected to interview:


Assessments:

• Military/Veterans must provide a copy of their DD214 at the time of the initial interview to receive military/veteran interview preference
• This position will require a pre-employment Criminal Background Investigation ( CBI ).
• If you are identified as a top candidate, verification of your education, which may include High School graduation or GED , undergraduate, and/or graduate degrees, will be required.
• A skills assessment may be required.

Electronic Notification to Applications:

• Applicants will be notified via e-mail to communicate important information related to the status of their application as part of an ongoing effort to increase operational efficiency, promote a green environment and minimize delays and costs.
• Please ensure that the email address and contact information you provide is current, secure, and readily accessible to you. We will not be responsible in any way if you do not receive our e-mails or fail to check your inbox in a timely manner
• Applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. Please note that the Department may close the job posting at any time after 7 days.

Pay Range
$22.22 - $24.77

Hours
This is an outreach position, hours will vary.
Job Close Date 03/18/2025 Type of Posting External Department Austin Public Health Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Grant Funded Category Professional Location RBJ Health Center, 15 Waller Street Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in community outreach and engagement.
• Awareness of communicable diseases such as HIV , syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.
• Phlebotomy trained or willing to be trained.

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.


Counsel individuals on prevention of communicable diseases e.g. HIV , STIs, TB, etc. Conduct fact-finding and/or informational interviews. Refer citizens to appropriate agency or program. Answer citizen questions and provide assistance. Conduct public health investigations as required by position. Counsel physicians, laboratories, clinics, etc. about disease reporting requirements Research information as requested and/or needed. Perform program-specific outreach activities such as TB/ HIV / STI education, testing and counseling. Perform phlebotomy and specimen collection. Compile data/information and prepare reports. Some positions may require employee to meet patients at home, work or elsewhere to administer medications or perform testing, as needed.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• None.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Knowledge of general public health programs, specifically those related to communicable diseases.
• Skill in oral and written communications, especially interviewing techniques.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with City employees and the public.
• Skill in recording data from interviews and investigations accurately.

Criminal Background Investigation This position has been approved for a Criminal Background Investigation. EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.

Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* The minimum qualifications for the Public Health Program Specialist I position are: Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Related experience may substitute for education up to a maximum of four (4) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* This position requires a valid Texas Class C Driver License. Do you have a valid Texas Class C Driver license or, if selected for this position, do you the ability to acquire a valid Texas Class C Driver license by your hire date?

• Yes
• No

* The City of Austin Driver Eligibility Standards require that External New Hires meet the City’s Driver Record Evaluation (DRE) requisite. To be considered for a driving position, applicants cannot have more than three moving violations or a total of six Driver Record Evaluation points within a period of thirty-six (36) months. Do you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No (disqualifying)

* This position requires a criminal background check. By selecting the following, you are acknowledging that you understand if you are selected as a top candidate for this position, you will need a successful CBI to be hired.

• I acknowledge and understand this position requires a Criminal Background Check.

* Due to working in high risk areas, applicants applying for this position must comply with the departments immunization policy as a condition of employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

* Briefly describe outreach experience working with hard-to-reach or traditionally underserved populations.
(Open Ended Question)
* Are you willing to be certified in phlebotomy and to draw blood for HIV/STI testing? If already certified, please indicate how long you've been certified.
(Open Ended Question)
* In the prior twelve months have you been employed by, owned any interest in, or been an officer or board member, for any business entity, including a non-profit organization, that is transacting any business with the City of Austin, including a recipient of any contracts, grants, or any funds of any kind from the City of Austin?

• Yes
• No
• Don't know

If you answered yes to the previous question, please explain below.
(Open Ended Question)


Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Resume Optional Documents Cover Letter