Parent Program Specialist

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Austin, TX

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. What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save. Here’s what you get as a full-time employee: 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 You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster. You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure Functional Title: Parent Program Specialist Job Title: Family Svcs Spclst II Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc Department: CPS BPD Best Practices CAPTA Posting Number: 12122 Closing Date: 01/02/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Protective Services Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 Pay Frequency: MonthlyShift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 25% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: AUSTIN Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD Other Locations: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1 5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12 Brief Job Description: Performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May supervise the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

Knowledge of local, state and federal law related to the involvement of parents/families in CPS related matters.
Knowledge of program planning and implementation. Ability to gather assembles, correlate and analyze facts.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
Ability to approach problems critically and analytically and recommend solutions. Ability to understand and apply new information efficiently and effectively.
Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to work independently in fast paced/stressful situations within a limited time frame and with minimal supervision.
Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships both internally and externally including working relationships with parents and families who have been involved with CPS due to abuse and neglect.
Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities and supervise the work of others.
Ability to present information at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings.
Ability to work with confidential information and records.
Strong verbal and written communication skills
Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally
Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field is generally preferred.
Parent who has been involved with the child welfare system is preferred.

Responsibilities

Plans, develops, and implements agency programs and action plans to initiate new programs or improve current services.
Oversees and/or evaluates administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.
Conducts and coordinates surveys, inspections, or reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Studies and analyzes operations and problems and prepares reports of findings and recommendations.
Provides consultative services and technical assistance to plan, implement, and monitor effective programs and services.
Reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, outputs, and activities in order to identify gaps in resources and recommend improvements.
Works with community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and strengthen knowledge between agency and external stakeholders; and to stimulate interest in the program and to secure support for local programs.
Works with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.
Trains and informs region or district staff and community stakeholders, and monitors region or district staff procedures to ensure the program goals are realized.
Develops, evaluates, and reviews policy and procedure manuals.
Assists in the development and implementation of regional policies, procedures, and protocols for agency programs or initiatives, and subsequent expansion and replication, in close coordination with other agency liaison.
May supervise the work of others.
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

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