About the position
Performs advanced consultative services and technical assistance work under the direction of the State Public Health Dental Director in the Oral Health Improvement Program (OHIP). Coordinates the Smiles for Moms and Babies (SMB) program to improve perinatal and infant oral health. Creates short- and long-term goals for SMB and implements projects. Evaluates SMB outcomes, identifies areas for improvement, and makes recommendations to the Dental Director. Involved in writing grant applications and reports. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Responsibilities
• Implement strategies to meet Smiles for Moms and Babies (SMB) goals. Collaborate with coworkers and a variety of stakeholders. Follow work plans and stay on schedule. Apply quality improvement principles to improve outcomes. Provide timely updates to the Dental Director and inform them of challenges that may jeopardize a project. Identify opportunities for improvement and make recommendations to the Dental Director.
• Follow or develop an SMB strategic plan. Create short- and long-term goals that are measurable. Develop work plans and timelines. Identify partners for collaboration. Create evaluation plans and dissemination plans for project deliverables. Participate in grant activities including applications, reporting, work groups and grantee meetings.
• Serve as an oral health subject matter expert. Perform advanced consultative services and technical assistance work for the agency and for stakeholders. Serve as an ambassador of OHIP, including attending and/or speaking at conferences, stakeholder events, and OHIP events.
• Assist OHIP operational and administrative tasks as needed including but not limited strategic planning, orienting new OHIP team members, reviewing budgets, and assisting with contracts, audits, inventories, etc.
• 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, Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, and/or serving on the State Medical Operations Center (SMOC) team. Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Requirements
• Knowledge of: Public health principles and practices, oral health and its connections to overall health, strategic planning, and goal setting.
• Skill in: Creating measurable goals to achieve an outcome, writing concisely and effectively with minimal errors, public speaking, or training, promoting oral health.
• Ability to: Manage projects and stay on schedule, manage time effectively, demonstrate initiative and think creatively to solve problems, demonstrate attention to detail.
• Must have at least two years' work experience in oral health, either within an oral health program or as a dentist or dental hygienist.
Nice-to-haves
• History of public health coursework or public health work experience.
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).