Preparedness and Response Specialist

Date:
Aug 25, 2026

Location:

AMARILLO, TX

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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Functional

Title:

Preparedness and Response Specialist

Job Title:

Program Specialist IIIAgency:
Dept of State Health Services Department:
Region 1

Posting Number: 20307

Closing Date: 09/08/2026

Posting Audience:
Internal and External Occupational Category:
Community and Social Services Salary Range: $4,020.33 - $4,833.33

Pay Frequency:
Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19

Shift: Day Additional

Shift: Telework:
Not Eligible for Telework Travel:
Up to 40%
Regular/Temporary:
Regular Full Time/Part Time:
Full timeFLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:
Nonexempt Facility

Location:

AMARILLO Job Location City: AMARILLO Job Location Address: 3407 PONY EXPRESS WAYOther Locations: MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNSBrief

Job Description

Under the supervision of the Public Health Region 1 Supervisor III, Preparedness and Response Planner, the Program Specialist III functions as a member of the regional Preparedness and Response team.

Work includes public health preparedness activities that create/enhance/support the local capacity to address the CDC's 15 Public Health and Emergency Response Capabilities.

This position:
Plans and manages efforts to achieve compliance with regional public health preparedness response plans in assigned counties.

Assists counties with disaster readiness assessments, plans, disaster drills, and achieving community wellness and public health improvements.

Serves as a liaison between the regional Preparedness and Response Program and local government officials, their representatives and other community stakeholders.

Establishes partnerships with local health departments to collaborate on effective and cost efficient public health planning, implementation, and evaluation.

Speaks before community groups, service clubs, and other community groups to address preparedness and response-related initiatives/issues.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs)

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Safe operation of either a state owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business, and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Preparedness and Response Liaison – Work with assigned counties serving as a liaison between the Department of State Health Services in general and the Preparedness and Response (PAR) Program specifically. Work with local city and county elected officials and other key contacts in assigned counties to develop and implement local disaster response plans, with a particular focus on issues related to public health and medical issues.

Work with assigned counties and communities to prepare residents to respond in a natural or manmade disaster. Provide technical assistance to local partners during the planning and response of exercises and real events in matters related to public health. Provide assistance to all…