CPS Residential Contract Program Specialist IV

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Functional Title: CPS Residential Contract Program Specialist IV 
Job Title: CPS Residential Contract PS IV 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: FCL RESIDENTIAL CONTRACTS 
Posting Number: 7458 
Closing Date: 08/12/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 30% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: ARLINGTON 
Job Location Address: 1200 E COPELAND RD STE 400 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: No direct military equivalent. 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs advanced contract management work within the areas of Child Protective Services, Foster Care Litigation division. Work involves providing consultation to agency staff regarding the contractor’s ability to comply with contract terms; and by serving as a liaison between agency program staff such as, Youth For Tomorrow, the third party contractor that monitors the Service Level System, and the licensing division to ensure compliance with licensing standards. The position may assist with on-site contract compliance and fiscal (proper payment) monitoring of 24-hour residential child care contracts to ensure appropriate care and services are provided and documents information on appropriate forms and monitoring reports. The position assesses the performance of DFPS contracted 24-hour residential childcare facilities. The position interacts routinely with residential representatives from various organizations and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff. This position will require frequent onsite visits to Residential Child-Care Facilities.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Serves as primary liaison between residential contractors and DFPS staff, providing technical assistance, guidance, training, policy/procedure clarification, and recommendations to both DFPS staff and 24-hour contractors regarding services provided to DFPS children. Serves on the Heightened Monitoring team to include frequent onsite visits to Residential Contractors, participating in Facility Intervention Team Staffings, monitoring for compliance of the Heightened monitoring plan, providing technical assistance to Contractors identified for Heightened Monitoring.

Develops and manages contracts, and amendments, between DFPS and 24-hour child-care facilities, contract suspensions, corrective action/adverse actions, ensures compliance with policies, and maintains all pertinent information in each contract file. Coordinates the risk assessment process for applicants to the procurement. May participate in onsite and desk review monitoring of contractors to determine compliance with DFPS programmatic and fiscal contract accountability. Prepares related reports, corrective actions, and conducts follow-up activities. Acts as advisor to contractors on responsibilities and expectations. Works closely with Youth For Tomorrow and the DFPS Licensing Division to ensure the contractor maintains compliance with Service Level System and Licensing Standards. Conducts annual assessments, reviews trends and patterns of compliance to determine renewal decisions. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Promotes and demonstrate appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policies and procedures in developing, maintaining and evaluating 24-hour residential child-care contracts. Knowledge of contract procurement, monitoring, management and compliance principles. Knowledge of Child Protective Services. Knowledge of how residential child-care licensing standards and the Service Level System impact the contract. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships. Ability to organize and manage one’s time and meet deadlines. Ability to perform duties without a high degree of supervision. Skill in written and verbal communication to write technical information in an understandable format and produce sophisticated research and analytical reports. Skill in using a personal computer and application software. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective communication and working relationships with managers, co-workers, other agency personnel, and stakeholders. Ability to explain policies and procedures. Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities. Ability to organize resources to achieve desired outcomes. Ability to conduct research; gather, assemble, correlate, analyze facts and data to devise solutions to problems. Ability to work under limited direction and willing to use initiative and independent judgment.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Must obtain certification as a Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) within 12 - 18 months from the date of hire. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Must have at least 2 years working for DFPS. Two years full-time contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, and training of contract providers. DFPS experience can be substituted for contract management experience requirement on a year for year basis.

Additional Information:

N/A

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files. 

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.