CPS Director II of Family Based Safety Services

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Houston, TX

6d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

The Director II of FBSS is a Director that performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning.
Works under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Field for Child Protective Services. Provides direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for the CPS FBSS Division. Directs and coordinates the operations and activities of the CPS FBSS Division Adminstrator and state office FBSS Program Specialists. Collaborates with external state agencies, vendors, providers and stakeholders to direct the FBSS services and care of children and families with DFPS.
Work involves establishing the strategic plan and goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating program activities or business functions; and reviewing and approving budgets within departments or divisions. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• 5 years full time child placing experience as a worker or above in a private or state agency. Experience must include managerial professional or technical work which must include analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material or planning, organizing and coordination requirements for support services or program operation where a wide range of demands are involved including interpretation of complex written material.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to state government agencies and public social services.
• Knowledge of Child Protective Services and agency programs and policies.
• Knowledge of program planning and implementation.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics that impact child safety.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of the operation of all types of news media, their requirements and approach to subject matter.
• Knowledge of applicable legal and confidentiality requirements.
• Knowledge of related state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules and requirements.
• Knowledge of process improvement or quality assurance systems.
• Knowledge of Texas legislative processes, initiatives and public accountability systems.
• Knowledge of strategic planning, budget management, human resource management, project management.
• Knowledge of the principles of leadership and how to effectively interact with various leadership styles.
• Skill in written and verbal communications.
• Skill in revising and editing written communications.
• Skill in supervising staff.
• Skill in gathering and analyzing information.
• Skill in developing PowerPoint presentations.
• Skill in public speaking.
• Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.
• Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
• Skill in managing multiple projects and competing priorities.
• Skill in demonstrating leadership.
• Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Skill in program management.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to represent CPS effectively with key stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, develop staff and oversee the work of others.
• Ability to supervise others, organize, and build a high-performing team.
• Ability to make independent judgments.
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of diplomacy, tact and discretion.
• Ability to effectively direct the work of others.
• Ability to manage resources and establish priorities.
• Ability to make decisions and solve problems effectively.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of agency staff, legislators and their staffs, and external agencies and organizations.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to develop, implement, communicate and lead an organizational vision which integrates key state and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors.
• Ability to implement and use new technology and work processes to enhance decision making.
• Ability to clearly articulate facts and ideas.
• Ability to negotiate with individuals and groups internally and externally.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities.
• Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
• Ability to prepare concise reports.
• Ability to think creatively and support creative thinking in others.
• Ability to plan, assign, and evaluate the work of others.
• Ability to effectively manage and motivate staff.

Responsibilities

• Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department or division and supervises the work of others
• Directs the operations of the FBSS Division provides direct supervision including but not limited to the CPS FBSS Division Administrator and FBSS state office program specialists.
• Position supervising the FBSS Division Administrator and State Office FBSS Program Specialists to ensure they are meeting their job duties in line with program goals
• Supervise FBSS Division and evaluates progress in supervising to technical assistance within the units regional and statewide.
• Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions within a department or division and identifies need for changes.
• Analyses statewide data on children and families services, assess for areas of improvement, and makes plan to address issues and barriers
• Collaborates with Regional Directors to ensure children and families receive and accept appropriate referrals
• Evaluation of FBSS units, to ensure FBSS divisions are maximizing resources and maintains accountability for policy and best practice
• Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Directs staff and develops solution focus plans to ensure children and families within DFPS in accordance with permanency goals
• Assesses child safety and takes the necessary actions as appropriate.
• Provides time limited in-home services to meet the specific needs of families by identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, and using appropriate and necessary resources to minimize risk and provide for safety of the child; and maintains contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
• Leads staff in developing professional goals and addresses barriers to improve staff performance
• Develops, reviews, and approves budgets and major expenditures; and ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.
• Develops, reviews services for families and providers
• Approves the FBSS services for direct reports
• Ensure that the FBSS services is justified in the services being provided by
• Monitors expenditures and reviews with DFPS Finance budgets associated with FBSS services and providers
• Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines; and implements and monitors compliance.
• Program area is responsible for any policies, procedures and guidelines related to the FBSS process and services for children and families with DFPS.
• Implements procedures and guidelines for all FBSS settings
• Monitors compliance with FBSS program implementation and performs quality assurance, addresses concerns as they arise
• Monitors FBSS units for outcomes of services, and addresses any concerns that arise through the analysis
• Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, standards for achieving goals; and direct evaluation activities
• Plans, develops, prioritizes, and approves IT project schedules and policy updates for CPS; ensures all tasks and projects are categorized, selected, implemented, assessed, authorized, and monitored to effectively manage organizational risk.
• Partners with program leadership to align and integrate agency policy and legislative implementation requirements.
• Directs the development and implementation of CPS FBSS policies, best practices, strategic direction, quality assurance and performance management.
• Develops, establishes and facilitates intra-agency and external workgroups, meetings, teams and committees to support CPS FBSS division operations.
• Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees .
• Testifies on behalf of State Office FBSS Division in all regional hearings in regard to FBSS services
• Provides training on FBSS services to the Judiciary, legal parties, and external stakeholders, CASA and community resources
• Participates in business meetings with both internal and external stakeholders, including contracted providers
• Regularly attends child welfare conferences and child welfare board meetings, works closes with county and district attorneys
• Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies
• Reviews all reports related to children and families for outcomes and uses the data to assess productivity
• Reviews data reports related to productivity and performance outcomes for regional and state office FBSS divisions
• Works with data and systems improvement, as needed, on analysis related to FBSS services
• Reviews and monitors the utilization of FBSS services and meet with finance on a monthly basis to discuss expenditures
• Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance
• Reviews studies and reports on FBSS services, to include removals and placement of children
• Review internal audits as it relates to the FBSS process and implements recommendations
• Regularly assesses productivity with statewide FBSS divisions to identify gaps and facilitates solution-focused discussions
• May participate in or oversee strategic communication efforts.
• Communicates CPS policy, procedures and best practices through a variety of means to all employees and managers within the division.
• Responsible for all CPS policy, practice, and legislative related communication to ensure the division’s compliance with federal and state laws and regulations.
• Supervises the work of others.
• Hires, supervises, and evaluates State Office Directors, state office FBSS Program Specialists, and other State Office staff to achieve department goals. Establishes division goals and priorities and evaluates effectiveness of unit activities.
• Develops and oversees work performance plans, creates and maintains position descriptions for direct reports and conducts performance evaluations at least annually.
• Manages employee time and leave responsibilities and carries out other related human resources activities with program staff.
• Provides leadership to employees using a performance management strategy and development process to provide an overall context and framework to encourage employee contribution and includes goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.
• Leads employees to meet the organization's expectations for productivity, quality, and goal accomplishment.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees