HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 1

Job Summary

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health is recruiting for two Health Program Specialist 1s. One position serves as the program coordinator for Tobacco Control. The incumbent will inform, educate and coordinate efforts regarding tobacco prevention in Nevada; serve as a resource for tobacco burden data for local, state and federal partners; monitor grants, contracts, and sub grants; write continuation grant(s) and progress report(s) associated with funding. The second position serves as the Evaluator for the food Security and Wellness Unit. The Evaluator will support implementation and accountability activities for the Food Security and Wellness & Prevention programs by planning, conducting, and reporting on evaluation activities required by state and federal grants. Key responsibilities include: • Collecting, analyzing, and reporting food security, wellness, and prevention data to support program monitoring, performance measurement, and continuous quality improvement. • Identifying public health problems, trends, disparities, and priority populations through analysis of quantitative and qualitative data. • Conducting data source investigation, including identifying valid data sets, reviewing data limitations, and recommending appropriate analytical approaches. • Developing data summaries, dashboards, written reports, and presentations that describe the burden of food insecurity and wellness-related issues in Nevada. • Supporting the design and implementation of evaluation plans, logic models, and performance metrics aligned with grant requirements. • Collaborating with internal and external partners—including community organizations, state agencies, and grantees—to ensure accurate and timely data collection and reporting. • Maintaining documentation and contributing to grant reporting, strategic planning, and program improvement efforts. The ideal candidate will possess foundational skills in data querying, data cleaning, and organizing and presenting data in a meaningful and actionable way. Experience using data for program evaluation, including the application of evaluation frameworks or logic models, is preferred. Strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to translate data into recommendations for public health practice are essential. Health Program Specialists plan, develop, implement, and evaluate health services and activities; conduct research and analyze health data and statistics; develop goals, objectives, program requirements and procedures; provide technical information regarding specialized health related conditions; and participate and provide support to various committees, advisory boards, and other work groups. Duties are related to one or more specialized health programs which operate on a statewide basis and focus on the prevention, early detection, treatment, education and tracking of data relevant to a specific communicable or chronic disease, maternal and child health, nutrition and other conditions which impact the health of under-served or target groups within the general population.

Essential Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a public health, health science, social or behavioral science or closely related field applicable to the program area and two years of professional health-related experience which included at least two of the following areas: researching, collecting and analyzing data and statistics, developing objectives, protocols and procedures; providing health education services to target groups or the general public; evaluating program effectiveness and accomplishment of desired outcomes to meet federal, agency, or other standards and guidelines; providing prevention, identification or treatment services to individuals or populations who have been diagnosed or are at risk of contracting life and health threatening diseases and/or conditions; and/or investigation and prevention of communicable or chronic diseases; OR Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in public health, health science, social or behavioral science, or closely related field and three years of professional experience as described above; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and four years of professional experience as described above; OR one year of experience as a Health Program Specialist Trainee II in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Research, collect, and analyze health data and statistics; identify health issues, trends, and prevalence of specific diseases and conditions; assess community, regional, and statewide needs and resources; develop recommendations for program development and expansion, resource allocation, and interventions for at-risk populations. Develop objectives, protocols, and procedures for assigned health program areas; establish performance indicators and benchmarks to evaluate program effectiveness and accomplishment of desired outcomes; develop quality assurance measures to ensure adherence to federal, agency, or other standards and guidelines; establish program eligibility requirements and approve program participation and reimbursement for services as required. Develop outreach strategies for target and at-risk populations; collaborate with individual community members and other public and private services and groups to develop and provide a community outreach coalition; serve on committees and represent the division on advisory boards to promote awareness and network with special interest groups. Serve as a consultant and technical advisor in an assigned program specifically designed to provide prevention, identification and treatment services to individuals either diagnosed or at risk of contracting life and health threatening diseases and/or conditions; provide technical assistance to staff and service providers to ensure program activities comply with established regulations, policies, procedures and program parameters; visit service providers to establish and maintain provider networks, monitor compliance with program requirements, and develop and implement corrective action plans as required. Promote statewide wellness through public education, outreach and coordination of preventive/specific health care services; conduct or assist in conducting public education, outreach campaigns and promotional activities to publicize disease prevention and health awareness; coordinate informational and educational conferences and meetings related to program area; develop educational and promotional materials, bulletins and newsletters as required; prepare press releases and public service announcements and legislative testimony as required. Prepare funding requests and monitor expenditures; assist in preparing budgets; prepare grant applications to secure and maintain funding including writing and amending program descriptions and compiling required financial data; participate in planning and needs assessments for future funding cycles; develop, prepare, and administer agreements and contracts as required; prepare and submit narrative and statistical reports related to program activities as required. Perform related duties as assigned. Under general direction, incumbents plan, implement, develop, and evaluate an assigned program area and perform duties described in the series concept. Incumbents may supervise lower-level professional, technical and/or administrative/clerical staff as assigned to include performance evaluations, work performance standards, scheduling, work assignment and review, training, and discipline. This is the journey level in the series.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level. Working knowledge of: health care delivery systems; standards of care; prevention, detection, treatment, transmission and progression of communicable diseases, chronic diseases, and other health conditions; oral communication skills sufficient to make presentations to groups of program participants, co-workers, the general public and others; writing skills sufficient to develop narrative reports, instructional materials, brochures, pamphlets, and newsletters. General knowledge of: program evaluation methods and techniques; public health; commonly prescribed medications, typical side effects and drug interactions. Ability to: collect, analyze, and interpret data; interpret, apply, and explain complex health policies, regulations, and program requirements; prepare reports and grant applications; participate in developing and monitoring the budget for an assigned program and/or grant; develop and conduct public education and information campaigns to publicize and promote good health habits and health awareness; work cooperatively and collaboratively with health care providers, patients, community groups and other agencies; and all knowledge, skills, and abilities required at the lower level.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees' Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication (Download PDF reader).
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of "standard" or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) (Download PDF reader).

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