Chief Information Officer - Director VIII

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

4d • $12,428 - $21,019

About The Position

The Chief Information Officer (CIO) provides agency-wide vision, leadership, and strategic direction for Information Technology Services (ITS) at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The role ensures technology solutions support DFPS’s mission of protecting vulnerable children, adults, and families throughout Texas. It impacts statewide child welfare, adult protective services, prevention programs, and agency operations by ensuring employees have secure, reliable, and innovative technology systems.

The CIO leads modernization of technology solutions, strengthens cybersecurity, and drives strategic initiatives to improve agency outcomes. The position directs enterprise technology programs and services, advises executive leadership, oversees technology budgets and investments, ensures compliance with applicable requirements, represents DFPS in technology-related policy and stakeholder settings, and builds high-performing teams. The CIO also serves as DFPS’s designated Information Resources Manager and primary liaison to the Texas Department of Information Resources.

Requirements

• At least seven years of experience overseeing and directing an agency technology or business program; experience overseeing information technology, information security, or related technology processes and procedures is preferred.
• At least five years of the required experience must be in a management or lead capacity overseeing a large program or team with a complex scope of responsibilities.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a related field.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to state government agencies and public social services.
• Knowledge of technology operations, system or software development, and project or program management.
• Knowledge of public administration and management, DFPS programs and practices, program planning and implementation, and state agency administration.
• Knowledge of applicable legal and confidentiality requirements, process improvement or quality assurance systems, Texas legislative processes, and public accountability systems.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, budget management, human resource management, and leadership principles.
• Skill in establishing plans, objectives, and goals that support an overall business strategy.
• Skill in written and verbal communication, including explaining technical information to nontechnical audiences; revising and editing written communications; and public speaking.
• Skill in supervising staff, gathering and analyzing information, developing presentations, and identifying problems and implementing solutions.
• Skill in collaborating with diverse groups, managing multiple projects and competing priorities, demonstrating leadership, and program management.
• Skill in using computers, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities and business functions, establish strategic goals, and develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
• Ability to communicate effectively, assemble and analyze facts, prepare clear and concise reports, and represent the agency with key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, organize and build high-performing teams, make independent judgments, and effectively direct others.
• Ability to demonstrate diplomacy, tact, and discretion; manage resources and priorities; and establish effective working relationships with agency staff, legislators, and external organizations.
• Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.
• Employees must comply with state critical-infrastructure security requirements, complete related training, and follow agency cybersecurity and communications-system usage policies.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for electronic information resources.
• Applicants must provide documentation establishing identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience overseeing information technology, information security, or other technology-related processes and procedures.
• Knowledge of DFPS programs and practices.
• Knowledge of the operation of news media and their requirements and approach to subject matter.

Responsibilities

• Direct enterprise information technology programs, infrastructure, cybersecurity, application development, modernization initiatives, and technology service delivery.
• Provide ITS expertise, consultation, and guidance to executive leadership; partner with agency leadership on strategic priorities, innovation, and operational effectiveness.
• Collaborate with executive and ITS leadership to oversee and develop standards for reviewing processes, correcting inefficiencies, and adapting to change.
• Oversee technology budgets, legislative appropriations requests, contracts, and resource planning, ensuring funding-source requirements are met.
• Lead large-scale technology initiatives and business transformation efforts that strengthen agency operations, improve service delivery, and support data-driven decision-making.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal laws, information technology standards, cybersecurity requirements, and agency policies.
• Represent ITS and DFPS at business meetings, advisory groups, hearings, legislative sessions, seminars, conferences, workgroups, court proceedings, task forces, and committees on technology-related matters.
• Represent DFPS on technology initiatives before legislative and governmental stakeholders and provide expert consultation on policy issues.
• Lead implementation of legislative and regulatory changes that affect agency technology services.
• Serve as the agency’s designated Information Resources Manager and primary liaison to the Texas Department of Information Resources, overseeing technology governance and strategic investments.
• Build, lead, and develop high-performing teams while fostering collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Direct and organize program activities and business functions; establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
• Develop and evaluate policies and procedures, manage resources and priorities, and make decisions to solve problems effectively.
• Make presentations and testify at hearings; prepare reports and represent the agency effectively with stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff, legislators and their staff, and external agencies and organizations.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid coverage for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus access to 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance at rates described as lower than most private plans.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director