Foster Care Litigation (FCL) Program Specialist VII

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

3d • $5,798 - $7,754 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Foster Care Litigation and Compliance and Quality Assurance team seeks a senior-level Program Specialist VII to provide consultative services, project management, IT-related support, advisory services, and technical assistance for agency programs relating to court-ordered provisions. The position oversees implementation of DFPS program and IT initiatives and monitors adherence to court orders. It establishes measurement tools for tracking progress and reporting on program activities, communicates project status, issues, and risks to DFPS leadership, and provides subject matter expertise on cross-functional teams and workgroups.

The role leads short- and long-term projects, including planning, implementation, coordination, risk and issue reporting, ongoing status reporting, and alignment with DFPS business objectives. It gathers, organizes, analyzes, and prepares material in response to internal and external information requests, including requests from other state and federal agencies. The specialist works with community and professional groups to coordinate and improve initiatives, and operates under minimal supervision with extensive latitude for initiative and independent judgment. The position reports to the Director of Foster Care Litigation and Compliance and Quality Assurance, as described in the overview; the essential-functions section also states that the work reports to the Director of Project Management.

The position is based at 4900 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, Texas, and is hybrid, with some teleworking available and mandatory in-office days. It is full-time, regular, exempt, and has a day shift. The position oversees technical, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative work for the Foster Care Litigation and Compliance section; supports implementation of legislative mandates and agency strategies; evaluates program effectiveness and compliance; and provides guidance to agency staff, leadership, stakeholders, and partner organizations. The role also supports division-level quality assurance framework implementation and consistency.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Four or more years of project management or program management experience, including performance monitoring and reporting, is preferred in the initial screening criteria.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to DFPS, Child Protective Services, and child welfare practices.
• Knowledge of public administration, project management, statistical analysis, budgeting, research, training, and program management processes and techniques.
• Knowledge of IT processes and solutions.
• Ability to synthesize, analyze, and evaluate complex technical information and communicate it clearly in concise written documents and oral presentations.
• Skill in identifying project risks and gaps and developing creative, workable solutions to complex problems and policy issues.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including working under pressure, negotiating among multiple parties, resolving conflicts, and maintaining effective working relationships across governmental entities and personnel levels.
• Proven project management skills and ability to manage advanced, complex initiatives independently, including changes to scope, resources, and budget.
• Ability to analyze complex information and develop options and plans to address issues.
• Ability to plan, direct, assign responsibilities, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to present information at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings and apply independent judgment to critical decisions.
• Ability to lead and work cooperatively in a team environment.
• Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.
• Employees must complete required critical-infrastructure security training and comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for creating accessible electronic information resources.
• Employees must provide documentation verifying identity and authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Four or more years of project management or program management experience, including performance monitoring and reporting, is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Oversee technical, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for the Foster Care Litigation and Compliance section.
• Assess, research, analyze, plan, develop, and implement projects and program initiatives.
• Lead project planning and initiation, monitor progress and schedules, identify risks, coordinate across agencies, and communicate with stakeholders and management.
• Ensure mandates and assignments are implemented in accordance with state and federal legislative requirements, agency leadership direction, and program strategies.
• Conduct or oversee operational studies and analyses and prepare findings and recommendations.
• Compile and analyze program and stakeholder data to inform program goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of strategies and initiatives and recommend improvements.
• Ensure compliance with program policies, procedures, statutes, rules, standards, and deadlines, and take corrective action as needed.
• Work with internal and external stakeholders to identify issues and risks, develop mitigation strategies, present project updates, and obtain approvals.
• Investigate and resolve significant matters on behalf of Foster Care Litigation and Compliance leadership, and advise executive leadership on implementation and risk mitigation options.
• Lead implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives, legislative requirements, and other agency strategy initiatives.
• Manage specialized research projects, reports, and issue papers concerning implementation of legislative mandates affecting DFPS.
• Facilitate studies, analyses, assessments, and evaluations of legislative and program initiatives, and prepare written findings and recommendations.
• Develop project monitoring tools, communication plans, and performance measures to track milestones and deadlines.
• Participate in cross-program and multi-agency workgroups, conferences, and hearings, including setting objectives, developing training, supporting IT solutions, and producing work products.
• Consult with agency staff, public and private stakeholders, consumers, volunteers, advocates, judges, service providers, and other organizations to provide guidance, technical assistance, and subject matter expertise.
• Prepare project reports, updates, summaries, presentations, correspondence, communications, and responses to information requests, ensuring quality, accuracy, consistency, and timeliness.
• Develop and implement methods for evaluating agency programs, identify needs for new or revised programs, and guide staff in integrating new methods and procedures.
• Assist management with program policies, procedures, standards, manuals, and activity planning.
• Oversee data-request responses and report development and preparation, and monitor completion within statutory or other established timeframes.
• Consult with public and private agencies to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.
• Coordinate project implementation across teams and divisions and ensure completion of administrative, informational, performance, and program-strategy reports and analyses.
• Collect, organize, analyze, and prepare program information and reports, including written materials concerning legislative requirements, agency and program impacts, and reporting processes.
• Provide oversight and guidance to ensure reports, tasks, and milestones are completed on time and comply with legislative mandates, administrative rules, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Ensure division-level implementation of the quality assurance framework, including standardized tools, processes, and review protocols.
• Monitor consistency of quality assurance practices across divisions, identify implementation gaps, and recommend corrective actions.
• Provide consultative guidance to division leadership on strengthening the quality assurance framework and aligning practices with organizational standards.
• Attend work regularly and predictably in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus 401(k) and 457 savings 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: Senior