Program Specialist V- APS Subject Matter Expert

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Brownsville, TX

8d • $4,523 - $7,254 • 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. This role involves reviewing and performing advanced consultative services and investigative work in self-neglect, hoarding, high risk of recidivism, complex service delivery needs, and medically complex cases. The specialist will coordinate review teams for repeat cases, liaise with medical partners for assessments, and serve as the regional expert on voluntary and involuntary intervention. This position requires coordination with local government and court officials to protect individuals, overseeing and conducting investigations, handling sensitive information, and training others. Consultation and expert advice will be provided to Adult Protective Services staff, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public. The role involves routine interaction with DFPS staff, including District Directors, program administrators, and supervisors, and will report to the Program Administrator with minimal supervision, utilizing initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Three years full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include: analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services experience.
• Two of three required years must have been in Adult Protective Services at PRS within the past four years of the posting date.
• Knowledge of Adult Protective Services SHIELD Practice model, programs, policies, procedures, standards, and organizational operations.
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to Adult Protective Services (APS).
• Knowledge of hoarding behaviors, mental illness, and mental and medical health issues.
• Knowledge of strength based service planning and delivery.
• Knowledge of other Texas human services agency and federal programs.
• Ability to provide information, training and support to agency staff and law enforcement and judicial professionals.
• Knowledge of the investigative process/procedures.
• Skill in conducting thorough interviews with clients, perpetrators and witnesses.
• Ability to establish appropriate service plans for individuals at serious risk or in severe states of neglect.
• Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities.
• Ability to explain best policy and practice to staff and to appropriately monitor outcomes.
• Ability to review and score case documentation for QA purposes.
• Ability to understand and interpret legal concepts and procedures.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels and with external entities.
• Skill in effective written and verbal communications including public speaking.
• Ability to originate ideas and strategies for communicating the agency message.
• Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and professions.
• Ability to develop materials and documents for distribution internally and externally in a professional manner.
• Ability to provide information, training and support to agency staff and community groups.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects effectively.

Nice To Haves

• One additional year full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include: analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education, with a maximum substitution of four years.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a regional subject matter expert and provides technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of SHIELD practice model and APS policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders.
• Serves as regional experts on voluntary and involuntary intervention coordinating directly with workers and supervisors regarding policy, best practice and legal options and accompanying workers for on-site investigations.
• Conducts investigations as directed.
• Provides review and consultation on severe cases and cases with a high risk of recidivism.
• Provides consultation on Service Plan development to address cases at risk of recidivism.
• Coordinates review teams to create new ways of dealing with subsequent or repeat cases.
• Actively coordinates and acts as liaison with local government and court officials in order to protect the health and safety of the individuals being served.
• Acts as a liaison between APS and medical partners and develops resources to obtain necessary client assessments on medical and mental health issues.
• Provides public awareness training/presentations to regional medical and code enforcement professionals and community on recognizing client risk and self-neglect.
• Prepares management reports to keep regional and agency management staff aware of risk and severe self-neglect issues, efforts, and outcomes.
• Assists in preparing cases for presentation at hearings or in court.
• Testifies and represents evidence in formal hearings or court proceedings.
• Develops procedures for conducting risk and severe self-neglect cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.

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
• 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