Federal Funds Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

6d • $5,099 - $8,305 • Hybrid

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. This role performs highly advanced (senior level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency program(s) and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. Analyzes federal and state regulations; researches federal funds child welfare policy and requirements related to managing and obtaining Federal Funds; communicates findings to others including agency leadership. Coordinates with others in finance and across the agency to complete initiatives. Oversees activities related to managing and obtaining Federal Funds. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Four years of state and/or federal policy development and implementation experience required.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration and management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; research techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques; the Texas Foster Care System, the Community-Based Care model, and the Family First Prevention Services Act; agency program and contract policy, procedures and regulations.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication; establishing and maintaining effective working relationships; stakeholder engagement and developing consensus; problem-solving and resolution of disputes; analyzing data; identifying measures or indicators of program performance, developing and using project management processes, practices and tools, monitoring project status, analyzing project-related information and developing plans to address identified issues; and the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Strong problem solving, writing, and communication skills required.
• Ability to analyze or evaluate problems and develop, recommend, or present alternative solutions; to identify critical issues and elevate to leadership as necessary; to evaluate federal funding regulations and policies and propose answers to questions about federal funding; to conduct or coordinate studies; to design programs or training; to prepare concise reports.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively; and to serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours as necessary.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree preferred.
• State legislative, contracts, rules, project management, finance, and audit experience preferred.
• Knowledge of federal foster care, and/or child welfare policy preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitors proposed state rules and federal regulations, analyzes impact to the agency, communicates findings to management.
• Provides high-level advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the program.
• Serves as the agency Subject Matter Expert for federal funds policy.
• Interprets State and Federal regulations, Child Care Licensing Standards, and program policy.
• Coordinates with relevant DFPS and HHSC divisions to complete necessary policy changes or recommendations for submittal to management.
• Communicates federal funding requirements to agency staff.
• Plans, prioritizes, and performs a variety of research, fiscal planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for assigned program(s).
• Assists in the process of obtaining federal funds for the next fiscal year.
• Provides high-level technical assistance for program(s); and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.
• Defines project implementation methods, deliverables, and timeframes.
• Develops workflows, procedures, and guidelines.
• Coordinates and leads cross-divisional teams, with internal and external stakeholders, to support development of consistent and accurate content and publication of Title IV-E allowable deliverables.
• Coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for federal funds information and reports.
• Assists in creation of the annual State Plan.
• Develops and delivers presentations and trainings related to federal funds to educate internal and external stakeholders on the maximization of federal funds project implementation and oversight and ensure timely and accurate communication.
• Reviews, develops, and/or approves policy or procedural changes and/or submits recommendations for changes to finance, executive, and legislative management.
• Completes and monitors required administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects; and recommends appropriate changes to programs.
• Provides input and recommendations to improve federal funds claiming, implementation, and oversight processes.
• As new methods are developed, works directly with state and local staff to develop new policies and procedures.
• Collaborates with others across the agency in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of agency-wide initiatives with federal funds impacts.
• Manages complex projects designed to secure all available federal funds available to DFPS and to improve agency processes.
• Researches federal funding regulations, policies, and news. Communicates findings that would affect agency program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules. Advises on updates to agency policy and rules relevant to federal funding.
• Researches and develops requests for policy changes and TAC rule waivers.
• Utilizes information collected about other states to create efficiencies in processes and procedures to help enhance the ability to maximize federal funding and/or to implement new initiatives.
• Performs and/or oversees studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations.
• Works directly with universities and other contract providers to review and provide input into enhancing federal funding maximization.
• Coordinates with DFPS and HHSC leadership to implement findings and recommendations from universities and other stakeholders on Title IV-E maximization.
• Analyzes legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding; and assists in responding to legislative and external inquiries and requests.
• Provides written responses to legislative bills and inquiries in coordination with internal and external stakeholders and management.
• Provides written updates to legislative bill implementation plans.
• Develops cost analysis to legislative bills in coordination with DFPS Finance and management.
• Develops and writes policy from new legislation that impacts Title IV-E policy and federal funds.
• Assists in developing exceptional item requests.
• Assists management with developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals, and planning program activities in accordance with federal funds requirements, program objective and goals.
• Works directly with DFPS and HHSC management to coordinate and facilitate meetings.
• Identifies the need for new programs and provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.
• Identifies and prioritizes business needs, ensuring alignment with agency goals.
• Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating agency programs.
• Assists management with developing and implementing effective techniques for evaluating agency programs, identifying the need for new programs, and providing guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.
• Provides input and recommendations to improve the overall system and implementation processes.
• As new methods are developed, works directly with state and local staff to develop new procedures.
• Memorializes new procedures as needed and/or works with the Purchased Client Services and Community-based Care Divisions to develop contract amendments.
• May serve as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.
• Serves as the lead Federal Funds Program Specialist and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for specified policy and procedures.
• As needed, serves as the Federal Funds SME on other agency initiatives/project workgroups, and provides perspective and input to new policies/procedures resulting from agency initiatives.
• May coordinate and implement risk and compliance activities.
• Works directly with the DFPS Office of Finance, CPS, Purchased Client Services Divisions and HHSC to develop and implement transition risk and readiness tools.
• Works with staff, providers, and other stakeholders to review risk and readiness tools as it relates to Federal Funds maximization efforts.
• May consult with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.
• Utilizes feedback from internal and external stakeholders, residential providers, CASA, Children’s Commission, DFPS state and local staff to inform needed training and/or resolution approaches.
• Coordinates and facilitates meetings to identify issues and make agreed-upon decisions on resolution.
• Memorializes issue resolutions and/or recommends contract amendments to management.
• May speak to the community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program(s) and to secure support for the program(s).
• Prepares power point presentations for diverse audiences.
• Presents material to internal local and statewide DFPS and HHSC staff and external stakeholders and stakeholder groups, such as advisory councils, local provider meetings, Children’s Commission, CASA, etc.
• Performs related work as assigned.

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