HEALTH PROGRAM SPECIALIST 2

State of Nevada; Carson City (NV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vacation: 3 weeks/year

Sick Leave: 3 weeks/year

12 paid holidays

PERS retirement

Deferred Compensation

No Nevada state income tax

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Longevity payments

Job summary

State of Nevada is recruiting for a Health Program Specialist 2 in Carson City to oversee the 988 crisis intervention program. You will develop and manage the program's strategic direction, coordinate with mental health professionals, agencies, and technology partners, and ensure compliant operations.

The role emphasizes leadership, project management, and data-driven evaluation to improve mental health services and crisis response statewide.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in public health, health science, social or behavioral science or related field and 3 years of professional health-related experience; or equivalent combinations.
• Experience includes developing objectives, protocols and procedures; evaluating program effectiveness; budgeting and contract administration.
• Experience with grant applications and coordinating prevention or treatment services is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day operations of the 988 program and related health initiatives.
• Manage contracts, budgets, and regulatory compliance across stakeholders.
• Lead a team of health program staff and perform performance evaluations.
• Collaborate with mental health professionals, agencies, and technology partners.
• Develop strategic direction and monitor program outcomes and quality assurance.

Skills

Data analysis

Research methods

Program development

Budgeting

Contract management

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in public health or related field

Associate's degree with four years of experience

High school diploma with five years of relevant experience

Job description

• No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

The Division of Public and Behavioral Health, Bureau of Behavioral Health Wellness and Prevention (BBHWP) is recruiting for a Health Program Specialist 2 located in Carson City, Nevada. The incumbent oversees the 988 program, dedicated to mental health crisis intervention services. As a Health Program Specialist 2, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing the overall strategic direction of the 988 program. Your role will involve collaborating with various stakeholders, including mental health professionals, government agencies, community organizations and technology partners to ensure the seamless operation of the program. Your primary responsibilities will include overseeing day-to-day operations, contract management, ensuring compliance with regulations, managing budgets, and leading a team health program staff. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills, exceptional project management abilities, a deep understanding of mental health services, and a passion for improving mental health crisis intervention systems. Join us in making a significant impact on mental health care and supporting individuals in crisis through our innovative 988 program.

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 public health, health science, social or behavioral science or closely related field applicable to the program area and three 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; preparing grant applications and budgets and developing, preparing and administering contracts and reports related to health services; 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 four years of professional experience as described above; OR graduation from high school or equivalent education and five years of professional experience as described above; OR one year of experience as a Health Program Specialist I 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 at this level plan, organize and coordinate an assigned health program which is statewide in scope and supervise a small staff comprised of professional and/or technical personnel to include performance evaluations, work performance standards, scheduling, work assignment and review, training, and discipline; and may supervise administrative/clerical staff as assigned. Health Program Specialist II’s are distinguished from Health Program Specialist I’s by greater complexity of the program area, advanced level knowledge, skills and abilities required and supervisory responsibility for professional and/or technical staff. This is the supervisory 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:

program evaluation methods and techniques; public health facilities, programs, and principles relevant to a specified health field such as nursing, nutrition, or other area; medical standards of care as applied to the program area; federal, State, and local public health organizations; commonly prescribed medications, typical side effects and drug interactions applicable to the assigned health program; development and implementation of program services and activities.

Ability to:

consult with colleagues, health care professionals, patients and others to provide technical expertise requiring advanced journey level experience and/or training; plan, conduct and oversee statewide program activities including providing public health information, coordinating treatment of under-served patients and promoting health and wellness; train, supervise and evaluate the performance of personnel as assigned.

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.
• 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).

State Holidays

State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The Following Are Legal Holidays

• January 1 New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• Third Monday in February Washington’s Birthday
• Last Monday in May Memorial Day
• June 19 Juneteenth Day
• July 4 Independence Day
• First Monday in September Labor Day
• Last Friday in October Nevada Day
• November 11 Veterans' Day
• Fourth Thursday in November Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November Family Day
• December 25 Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

A pre-employment criminal history check and fingerprinting are required. Persons offered employment in this position will be required to pay for these items.