Public Health Prevention Specialist

Overview

Date:
Jan 28, 2026.

Location:

KERRVILLE, 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.

Functional

Title:

Public Health Prevention Specialist

Job Title: Community Health Specialist

Agency: Dept of State Health Services

Department: Region 8

Posting Number: 13312

Closing Date: 02/11/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Community and Social Services

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-14

Salary Range: $3,095.33 - $3,844.92

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Shift: Day

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 40%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Job Location City: KERRVILLE

Job Location Address: 819 WATER ST STE 230

Other Locations: MOS Codes: 230X,43EX,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,60C,68S,68Z,HM,HS,MED,NAP
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Under supervision of the Community Health Improvement (CHI) manager or supervisor and team leadership of the field office nurse, the Community Health Specialist (CHS) performs routine public health and prevention work for assigned counties in Public Health Region 8. The CHS, the field office nurse, and other DSHS program staff work with communities and local stakeholders (such as schools, healthcare providers, individuals, government officials, local agencies, and community action groups) to identify, develop, and carry out strategies to successfully promote health and prevent disease and injury.

This work includes health promotion (e.g., presentations, health fairs, committees, meetings), clinic services (like immunizations and specimen shipping), community referrals, customer service, community assessment, reports, and other duties. The CHS may also be called upon to meet agency obligations for disaster response, recovery, or continuity of operations (i.e., continuing essential services during emergencies), which may require an alternate work schedule and location.

Staff must also be immunized according to agency immunization policy. This position works under moderate supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

• HEALTH PROMOTION: Works with communities and local stakeholders, such as schools, healthcare providers, individuals, government officials, local agencies, and community action groups, to identify, develop, implement, and evaluate strategies to successfully promote health and prevent disease and injury. Participates in Title V services for women, adolescent, and children’s health, such as child fatality review teams, child passenger safety campaigns, obesity prevention activities, prevention of teen pregnancy, etc.
  
  Finds or develops and delivers educational materials, presentations, and trainings to at-risk populations, health providers, and community groups, and may assist with public health meetings about emerging public health threats. (35%)
• COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT: Monitors health status in the community to identify community health problems. Works with the field office nurse and other staff to identify information needed about the community to better understand community health status, including development of tools and techniques. Attends community events and meetings, listens, observes, and participates. Collects data for use in planning and evaluating intervention strategies. Prepares related reports.
  
  (15%)
• COMMUNITY REFERRALS: Creates and routinely updates a community resource directory to assist clients and other community members in receiving DSHS services and services not provided by DSHS. Networks with area agencies and community organizations by attending community meetings and visiting or calling other service providers to learn about what they do. (15%)
• CLINIC SERVICES: Registers clients for services by completing client records. Screens clients for eligibility for agency services. Schedules appointments for clinic services. Follows up on missed appointments. Prepares clinical rooms for providing immunizations, STD services, and disease investigations. Includes taking vital signs and height and weight, conducting vision and hearing screenings, and performing other clinical services. Processes and packages specimens for shipping to the lab.
  
  Completes lab forms, posts and files lab results as directed by the nurse. Makes home visits to provide services or education, including directly observed therapy (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below). tuberculosis program patients. Assures patient confidentiality and HIPAA compliance.…