Deputy CPS Associate Commissioner

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

3d • $8,488 - $14,356 • Onsite

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 Deputy Associate Commissioner for Child Protective Services (CPS) performs highly advanced (senior level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning. In collaboration with the CPS Associate Commissioner, oversees the coordination, oversight and supervision of the major functions. Represents the division in a leadership capacity on complex issues that cross divisions, programs+ and agencies and oversees collection, organization, analysis and preparation of budgets, reports, and studies, including management, productivity and financial reports. Works with the Associate Commissioner for CPS to establish standards and measurement tools for measuring progress of the division’s goals and objectives.

Requirements

• Minimum of five years child welfare leadership or equivalent experience.
• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies relevant to Child Protective Services programs and associated business functions.
• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and trends of public administration, public-sector management, and government operations.
• Knowledge of program planning, performance management, and evaluation methodologies.
• Knowledge of budgeting, fiscal oversight, and the management of state and federal funding sources.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and intergovernmental relations affecting CPS operations.
• Skill in strategic planning, including the development, execution, and evaluation of complex programs, policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.
• Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities in a fast-paced, high-accountability environment.
• Skill in problem-solving, critical thinking, and data-driven analysis to address complex operational and policy issues.
• Skill in leadership, executive-level communication, and public speaking, including presentation of information to legislative bodies and external stakeholders.
• Skill in collaboration and consensus-building with internal and external stakeholders, including cross-agency and interdisciplinary partners.
• Skill in organizational management, including workforce planning, delegation, and performance oversight.
• Skill in preparing clear, concise, and accurate reports, briefings, and executive summaries.
• Skill in composing well-written professional documents, including correspondence, policy papers, and position statements.
• Ability to direct, organize, and oversee large-scale program activities and business functions.
• Ability to establish and align program goals and objectives with the agency’s strategic plan and performance measures.
• Ability to identify systemic and operational challenges, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective, sustainable solutions.
• Ability to develop, evaluate, and revise policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of managers and professional staff.
• Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships with agency leadership, staff, legislators, and external partners.
• Ability to make timely, well-informed decisions under pressure and deliver measurable results.
• Ability to ensure accountability, meet deadlines, and maintain high standards of accuracy and quality in all deliverables.
• Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
• State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
• As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
• DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop standards for achieving goals.
• Establish performance standards, benchmarks, and metrics aligned with agency strategic priorities.
• Define expectations and accountability measures to monitor progress toward stated goals.
• Ensure consistency in standards across programs, divisions, and operational areas.
• Respond to legislative inquiries and requests for information and participate in developing legislative appropriation requests.
• Coordinate responses to legislative inquiries, information requests, and briefings.
• Provide subject-matter input and data analysis to support legislative appropriation requests.
• Collaborate with agency leadership to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and policy alignment in legislative communications.
• Oversee the division responsible for legislative inquiries, information sharing, and coordination throughout the legislative session.
• Participate in or oversee strategic communication efforts.
• Oversee development and dissemination of internal and external communications related to programs and initiatives.
• Coordinate messaging to ensure consistency with agency goals, policies, and public accountability standards.
• Advise executive leadership on communication strategies impacting stakeholders and partners.
• Oversee the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of reports.
• Direct the development and review of management, operational, and performance reports.
• Ensure data integrity, accuracy, and compliance with reporting requirements.
• Utilize reports to evaluate program effectiveness and inform decision-making.
• Develop long-range and short-term plans.
• Lead development of short-term operational plans and long-range strategic initiatives.
• Align planning efforts with agency mission, strategic plan, and legislative direction.
• Monitor implementation and adjust plans based on performance outcomes and emerging needs.
• Administer and direct programs in a specific area.
• Provide executive-level oversight of assigned programs or functional areas.
• Ensure program operations meet statutory, regulatory, and policy requirements.
• Direct resources and activities to achieve program goals and objectives.
• Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department or division.
• Establish priorities and allocate resources to support effective program and business operations.
• Oversee daily operations and ensure coordination across teams and functional areas.
• Resolve complex operational, policy, and management issues.
• Develop and implement techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions within a department or division; and identifies need for changes.
• Design and implement evaluation tools to assess program and operational effectiveness.
• Analyze outcomes and performance data to identify gaps, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Recommend and implement corrective actions or process improvements as needed.
• Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Oversee development and approval of budgets, forecasts, and major expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with funding source requirements, restrictions, and reporting obligations.
• Monitor fiscal performance and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Develops, reviews, and approves budgets and major expenditures; and ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.
• Oversee development and approval of budgets, forecasts, and major expenditures.
• Ensure compliance with funding source requirements, restrictions, and reporting obligations.
• Monitor fiscal performance and implement corrective actions as necessary.
• Develop policies, procedures, and guidelines; and monitor compliance.
• Direct development and revision of policies, procedures, and operational guidelines.
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and agency regulations and standards.
• Monitor implementation and address noncompliance through corrective action.
• Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities.
• Establish schedules and priorities for initiatives, projects, and ongoing operations.
• Approve standards and timelines to ensure timely and effective goal achievement.
• Direct evaluation activities to assess performance and outcomes.
• Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.
• Serve as a senior agency representative with internal and external stakeholders.
• Present program, operational, and policy information to diverse audiences.
• Participate in committees and boards to advance agency interests and objectives.
• Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies.
• Review and approve reports analyzing management, productivity, and financial performance.
• Use findings to guide strategic decisions and operational improvements.
• Ensure reports meet agency standards and executive-level requirements.
• Reviews result of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance.
• Review findings from audits, investigations, and research efforts.
• Provide direction and guidance based on identified risks, trends, and recommendations.
• Ensure corrective actions and improvements are implemented.
• Provides professional oversight and guidance to other occupations or support staff, including executive and/or management-level staff, to ensure compliance with and adherence to regulatory standards and established procedures.
• Provide executive leadership, guidance, and mentorship to management and professional staff.
• Ensure adherence to regulatory standards, policies, and established procedures.
• Foster accountability, performance excellence, and ethical conduct.
• Performs related work as assigned.
• Perform additional executive- or management-level duties as required to support agency operations and strategic initiatives.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members
• 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
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

What This Job Offers

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