HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group Manager

Job Description :

Under the direction of the HIV / STD / HCV Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit Director, performs complex managerial work overseeing the daily operations and activities of the HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group, including establishing goals and objectives, developing and evaluating budget requests, setting priorities and standards to achieve established goals, coordinating and evaluating program activities and supervising Group staff.

Provides leadership and oversees the development and management of statewide active surveillance systems for HIV / AIDS including the oversight of contracts and service level agreements with local / regional surveillance sites.

Directs and implements HIV epidemiology and surveillance program activities including developing and disseminating HIV program standard operating procedures and guidelines, conducting quality assurance and program evaluations, developing grant proposals and conducting epidemiologic projects.

Position is responsible for managing HIV surveillance grants and cooperative agreements including preparation and management of proposals, progress reports and operating budgets and implementing all required activities.

Works closely with the other Group Managers to achieve Unit goals and objectives and participates in developing and implementing a comprehensive strategic plan.

Serves as a statewide expert on HIV epidemiology and surveillance and represents the program at meetings, hearings, conferences, workgroups, and committees.

This position works under general supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions :

EJF 1. (20%) Manages all HIV Epidemiology and Surveillance Group (Group) activities with a focus on HIV surveillance system design, development, integration, and implementation.

Oversees the management of all HIV surveillance databases including the Enhanced HIV / AIDS reporting system (eHARS), TB / HIV / STD Integrated System (THISIS), and National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) including data entry, data management, security and confidentiality, data quality, and system evaluation.

Manages all activities of the Group including case reporting, electronic / non-electronic laboratory reporting, alternate records, data linkage, data quality assurance, risk assessment, incidence surveillance, resistance surveillance, perinatal surveillance, and other epidemiologic or surveillance projects.

Serves as a statewide expert on HIV surveillance procedures and techniques. Oversees the development and implementation of HIV surveillance operating procedures for central office and local / regional surveillance sites.

Assures compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Technical Guidances for HIV Surveillance Programs including Security and Confidentiality Guidelines.

Evaluates the TB / HIV / STD surveillance systems and makes improvements.

EJF 2. (20%) Directly supervises Group staff and provides direction to CDC advisors or students / interns assigned. Makes recommendations in personnel staffing, staff development, merit raises, promotions, demotions and disciplinary actions.

Approves leave for assigned staff. Ensures training of staff. Supervises assigned personnel including providing regular guidance, setting priorities, developing performance standards, assigning tasks, setting deadlines and monitoring and evaluating work performance.

Maintains working knowledge of and adheres to agency / program policies and assures Group staff awareness and adherence to these policies.

Meets regularly with Group staff and Branch Manager. Oversees and manages the Group operating budget. Develops and evaluates budget requests.

Develops and manages a monthly in-state and yearly out of state travel plan for the Group. Submits monthly Group reports and responds to suspenses in a timely and complete manner.

EJF 3. (20%) Oversees the HIV / AIDS Surveillance Cooperative Agreements / Grants including submitting grant proposals, producing interim and annual progress reports, developing and managing budgets, monitoring contractors, developing objectives and monitoring progress in meeting objectives and timelines.

Works with Group staff and others to implement all required grant activities. Serves as a liaison with CDC and other grantors on HIV / STD grants and cooperative agreements.

Serves as the Texas HIV / AIDS Surveillance Coordinator (or designee) and participates in the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologist (CSTE) surveillance coordinators conference calls and activities.

EJF4. (20%) Plans, coordinates and evaluates visits to regional and local health departments and other sites to integrate and evaluate surveillance functions and provide technical assistance.

Ensures that each HIV surveillance contractor has appropriate contract monitoring site visits to monitor performance.

EJF5 (10%) Serves as a statewide expert on HIV surveillance and represents the Group / program at meetings, hearings, conferences, workgroups, and committees.

Assists in preparing legislative funding requests, cost estimates for fiscal notes and performance measures.

EJF6 (10%) 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 or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation.

Such participation may require an alternate shift pattern, assignment and / or location.

Knowledge Skills Abilities :

Knowledge of disease and / or injury surveillance.

Knowledge of the principles and practice of public health and disease prevention and control.

Knowledge of epidemiologic methods, research design, data collection, data systems, data analysis, data quality assurance, program evaluation and computer systems.

Knowledge of the principles and practice of public administration and management.

Knowledge of communicable disease confidentiality and reporting laws, rules and regulations.

Knowledge of the disease processes of TB / HIV / AIDS and STDs.

Knowledge of budgeting process, RFA process, contract development and grant writing.

Skills in using software for word processing, email, database programs, spreadsheets, basic statistical analysis, as well as an understanding of software specifically designed for surveillance purposes.

Skills in communication necessary to produce effective oral and written reports related to TB / HIV / STD surveillance and program evaluation.

Ability to manage the activities of a statewide disease surveillance program.

Ability to plan, conduct and analyze studies related to TB / HIV / AIDS / STD surveillance, epidemiology and program evaluation.

Ability to plan, assign and supervise the work of a large number of technical staff.

Ability to interpret epidemiologic information on TB / HIV / STD and provide consultation and leadership at statewide level to a wide variety of sources seeking information and direction.

Ability to work effectively with diverse personnel including management and staff of the Branch, other DHSH programs, local and regional health departments, contractors, and federal funders.

Ability to develop and manage grants and contracts.