Lead Fatality Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

8d

About The Position

This position is in the Office of Child Safety, reporting to the Director of the Office of Child Safety and performs advanced (senior-level) compliance analysis work involving examining, evaluating, and monitoring records, programs, policies, documents, and/or contracts to ensure conformity with laws, rules, and regulations; and conducting inspection and analysis activities for policies and procedures through documents and records surrounding child fatalities, near fatalities, and serious incidents. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the relevant federal and state rules and regulations; contract monitoring; and statistical concepts, methods, and models.
• Knowledge of applicable state and federal laws and commissions related to child prevention and child protection/child welfare services.
• Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and practices of DFPS programs.
• Knowledge of the DFPS IT/IMPACT design and reporting process.
• Knowledge of principles and practices related to public administration and management techniques; of research techniques; and of training techniques.
• Knowledge of HHSC/DFPS writing style.
• Demonstrates knowledge of child abuse or neglect prevention programs, child and family services, or in child welfare systems.
• Demonstrates knowledge of program planning and setting and reaching goals and objectives
• Skill in conducting data searches and evaluating large amounts of data, in customer service, in preparing concise and accurate reports, and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
• Skill in preparing recommendations.
• Skill in working under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
• Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions; conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in use of a personal computer and computer software, including spreadsheets, database, e-mail and word processing applications.
• Skill in developing, recommending, evaluating and implementing new policies and procedures.
• Skill in evaluating large amounts of data, preparing concise and accurate reports using computers and applicable software including Microsoft excel.
• Skill in providing training and developing training materials.
• Skill in gathering, correlating, and analyzing data, objectively reporting findings related to policy, practice or program structure that involves sensitive materials including those related to a child fatality or near fatality.
• Skill in navigating and using specific computers, applications, and software.
• Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to maintain effective working relationships; and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to oversee and/or supervise the work of others.
• Ability to train, lead, assign, and prioritize the work of administrative support staff.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise correspondence.
• Ability to continuously learn new advancements in child safety, child maltreatment prevention, and burgeoning concepts to address child fatalities
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments, meet demanding deadlines and prioritize workloads for greatest efficiency.
• Ability to maintain professional composure and effectiveness in a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals including executives, agency staff and external parties.
• Ability to complete high-level research and statistical analysis and provide visual, written and verbal analysis of findings.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze data and information, and effectively utilize the results.
• Ability to implement and complete assignments, projects and recommendations.
• Ability to identify, monitor and assess specific measures and indicators of child safety and program performance.
• Ability to provide technical assistance on specific programs and software applications.
• Ability to develop, recommend, evaluate and implement new policies and procedures.
• Communicates effectively verbally and in writing.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in psychology, social work, government, public relations or other related field required.
• Minimum 5 years in DFPS Child Protective Investigations or Child Care Investigations.

Nice To Haves

• Preference for DFPS Supervision experience.
• Experience in supporting senior leadership in government or nonprofit environment.

Responsibilities

• Review contracts, grants, and other legal documents.
• Perform compliance reviews that are primarily highly complex in nature or large in scale.
• Performs routine compliance reviews that are primarily small or medium in scale to determine compliance with laws, rules, and regulations.
• Compiles, reviews, and analyzes data to verify documentation.
• Conducts internal inspection of compliance issues.
• Identifies issues regarding compliance with regulations or standards that require follow-up.
• Verifies compliance with specific requirements by conducting desk and/or onsite reviews.
• Maintains, updates, and assesses data in an internal tracking system.
• Maintains and assesses documentation of compliance activities, such as complaints received or investigation outcomes.
• Performs statistical sampling of data.
• 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: Mid Level