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About the Role

The Program Specialist VII, functionally known as the State Suicide Prevention Epidemiologist, performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work related to suicide prevention, data, research, and policy. This position supports priorities through leadership in suicide prevention epidemiology, surveillance, research, program planning, data analysis, training, and technical assistance.

Responsibilities

• Conducts advanced epidemiological surveillance, analysis and applied research on suicide, suicide attempts, self-harm, suicide-related risk and protective factors, and substance use and behavioral health indicators.
• Collects, analyzes, interprets, and summarizes data from state and national sources.
• Reviews relevant research, public health guidance, executive orders, and emerging evidence to identify trends, geographic patterns, emerging needs, and populations that may benefit from targeted prevention strategies.
• Interfaces as primary point of contact or “Principal Investigator” for any data requests or projects that require approval from Department of State Health Services (DSHS) Institutional Review Board.
• Coordinates with director, setting goals/objectives and coordinating with state suicide prevention projects to ensure high quality, consistent suicide-related data collection and analysis.
• Works with program staff, contractors, local mental health authorities, local behavioral health authorities, academic partners, and other stakeholders to collect and interpret program data, identify implementation barriers, and recommend strategies for continuous quality improvement.
• Conducts cross-program analyses across PBHP and SUP programs, contracts, initiatives, and data systems when needed to support shared planning and decision-making.
• Translates complex data, research findings, and program information into clear, accessible, and actionable products for agency leadership, program staff, partners, stakeholders, and the public.
• Develops data summaries, dashboards, tables, maps, reports, data briefs, and presentations to inform program planning, funding recommendations, policy development, legislative responses, grant reporting, and strategic decision-making.
• Works with Director and program staff across BHS to develop logic models, evaluation plans, performance measures, data collection tools, and reporting processes to assess program reach, fidelity, quality, outcomes, and impact.
• Ensures data products are accurate, timely, accessible, and aligned with HHSC, BHS, SUP, PBHP, and suicide prevention priorities.
• Provides epidemiological consultation, technical assistance, and subject matter expertise to the Suicide Prevention team, PBHP leadership, BHS programs, contractors, advisory groups, and external partners to strengthen data-informed suicide prevention planning and implementation.
• Supports the development of statewide and regional strategies by applying public health frameworks, prevention science, behavioral health promotion principles, and knowledge of suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention best practices and substance use/misuse prevention.
• Participates in internal and external work groups, committees, and meetings to provide data interpretation, identify information gaps, and support coordinated approaches across systems serving Texans at risk for suicide.
• Serves on the Statewide Behavioral Health Coordinating Council.
• Assists with statewide training and technical support efforts; works with and presents to state and local community and professional groups to coordinate, improve and secure dissemination of suicide related data, outcomes and accurate information for suicide prevention related programs.
• Consults with public and private agencies to communicate suicide-related data points and outcomes, identify training needs and discuss prevention program effectiveness.
• Provides training and technical assistance and guidance to staff (internal and other HHS agencies) regarding best practices in mental illness prevention, suicide prevention, and postvention, and substance use prevention.
• Plans, develops, coordinates, implements, evaluation and performance measurement activities for suicide prevention programs, policies, trainings, contracted services, and the State Suicide Prevention Plan.
• Collects, manages, analyses, and interprets data to assess program effectiveness, monitor outcomes, identify trends, and support continuous quality improvement efforts, collaborating with leadership and other BHS departments and staff.
• Tracks and analyzes data to develop quality improvement measures for maximum program and policy implementation success.
• Establishes and facilitates interagency workgroups and committees related to program evaluation and data to advance and coordinate comprehensive suicide prevention efforts.
• Provides programmatic support to the suicide prevention team including but not limited to providing technical assistance and suicide prevention specific training, as applicable.
• Supports grant applications, federal and state reporting, legislative reports, and other required deliverables by ensuring evaluation findings are clear, accurate, and actionable.
• Supports the preparation of briefing documents, issue papers, legislative items (bill analyses, exceptional items, and reports), responses to internal and external inquiries, grant applications, reports, and other written materials requiring accurate interpretation of suicide-related and behavioral health promotion data.
• Maintains awareness of data governance, confidentiality, accessibility, and plain language standards when preparing materials for agency leadership, partners, and the public.
• Collaborates with PBHP, SUP, and BHS staff to identify data needs, assess the potential impact of proposed policy and funding strategies, and develop recommendations that align with HHSC priorities, statutory requirements, and the behavioral health prevention continuum.
• Performs other duties as assigned to support the Suicide Prevention team, PBHP, SUP, BHS, and HHSC operations.

Requirements

• Applicant has a master’s degree with a focus in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field and at least two years of work experience in epidemiology or data analysis; or an undergraduate degree in public health, biostatistics, biological sciences, or a related field with five or more years of epidemiology or data analysis work experience is required.
• Minimum three years using SAS or SPSS software related to database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses is required.
• Minimum three years using SQL, Tableau, GIS or R software relevant to database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses is preferred.
• Prior work experience at a public health agency is preferred.
• Prior work at a government agency (local, state, federal, university, etc.) is preferred.
• Previous work experience in suicide prevention, intervention, postvention or substance use prevention, intervention, and treatment programming, highly preferred.

Skills

• Knowledge of data collection, data analysis, database management, evaluation methods, data governance, confidentiality, and reporting standards for suicide prevention.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws applicable to the program.
• Knowledge of strategic planning and program management.
• Knowledge of principles related to epidemiology and public health.
• Knowledge and experience of the legislative process.
• Knowledge of best practices and application of suicide prevention, intervention and postvention.
• Knowledge of linguistic and cultural competency for mental health and suicide related populations.
• Skill in performing research, needs assessments, data analysis, program planning and program evaluation.
• Proficient skill in the use of software relevant to database management and statistical and epidemiological analyses (SAS, SQL, Tableau, GIS, R, and/or SPSS).
• Skill in working with statewide organizations, interagency councils, and community-based organizations.
• Skills in applying behavioral health and suicide prevention strategies into policy, procedures and strategic planning.
• Skill in analyzing and evaluating complex program and budget issues.
• Skill in developing and implementing communications strategies.
• Skill in developing creative and workable solutions to complex problems.
• Skill in leadership, communication, training and public speaking.
• Skill in the use of computer software products-Microsoft Office/Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams, and Sharepoint).
• Skill in the use of Adobe Creative Cloud computer software (InDesign, Illustrator) a plus
• Skill in developing, writing, and editing legislative reports, executive documents and briefings.
• Skill in collection and handling of protected health data and other confidential records.
• Ability to synthesize, analyze, and translate highly complex and technical information and data sets into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations for agency leadership, stakeholders, and the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze data, program outcomes and evaluate program improvement strategies for constant quality management.
• Ability to perform effectively and produce results in a fast-paced work environment with multiple deadlines and priorities and manage workload effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with external and internal partners and work cooperatively in a team environment, work under tight constraints, resolve conflicts.
• Ability to navigate matters of high sensitivity, such as behavioral health crises, suicide, and life-threatening situations of stakeholder groups in an effective, ethical, and professional manner.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and show initiative.
• Ability to complete tasks without close supervision and use considerable discretion and mature judgment in interactions with public and interpretation of data.

Location

• AUSTIN

Work Type

• Full time
• Eligible for Telework

Experience Level

• Senior-level

Education Level

• Master’s degree with a focus in epidemiology, biostatistics, or a related field
• Undergraduate degree in public health, biostatistics, biological sciences, or a related field

Salary/Compensations

• $5,797.66 - $9,508.25 Monthly

Benefits

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees
• Defined benefit pension plan
• Generous time off benefits
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement

About the Company

• Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans.
• At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey.

Equal Opportunity

• In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHSC and DSHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability.
• 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 to fill this position.