Assistant Deputy Director

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: Assistant Deputy Director 
Job Title: Director VI 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: SO CBC DFPS COMMISSIONER 
Posting Number: 10192 
Closing Date: 10/28/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-31 
Salary Range: $13,820.83 - $15,000.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework:  
Travel: Up to 10% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 8003,8040,8041,8042,10C0,111X,112X,113X,114X,20C0,30C0,40C0,611X,612X,631X,641X,648X,90G0,91C0,91W0 
97E0,SEI15 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Assistant Deputy Director works under the direction of the Director of Community-Based Care Operations for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and the Interim Director of the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT). The Assistant Deputy Director performs highly advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning. Work involves developing and refining complex systems to oversee and support the CBC model; establishing the strategic plan and setting goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating program activities or business functions; and reviewing and approving budgets within departments or divisions. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department(s) or division(s).

• Directs and manages program operations to ensure effective and successful operation of the CBC foster care model that is focused on improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.
• Develops systems to ensure accountability and support for the CBC model.
• Serves as the executive lead for CBC at DFPS and the subject matter expert between the Office of Community-Based Care Transition (OCBCT) and DFPS program and administrative support areas to provide guidance and consultation regarding the development of the necessary infrastructure to ensure successful ongoing operation of the model.
• Directs and manages program operations to ensure appropriate oversight of CBC contracts and program outcomes.
  
  

Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions within a department or division; and identifies need for changes.

• Directs the division’s evaluation and analysis of initiatives related to the transition to the CBC foster care model to identify improvements and develop solutions focused on improving outcomes for children, youth, and families.
• Collaborates with DFPS executive leadership, OCBCT, and stakeholders to identify strengths and areas for improvements and oversees evaluations and implementation of improvements of outcomes while meeting the unique and individual needs of children, youth, and their families and determines change recommendations.
  
  

Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.

• Develops, establishes, and implements division goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s mission and strategic plan by collaborating with DFPS executive leadership and OCBCT to improve direct delivery and services to meet client, family, and community needs across the state.
• Provides leadership, strategic direction, and planning for the division, and coordinates with DFPS executive leadership and program area management to implement program policies and achieve goals.

Develops, reviews, and approves budgets and major expenditures; and ensures that the requirements of funding sources are met.

• Develops, oversees, plans, and approves the division’s budget requests and expenditures to manage resources, needs and priorities and approves division budget expenditures.
• Collaborates with the Office of Finance to ensure the requirements of funding sources are met for the division while supporting the transition to the CBC foster care model and ongoing operation of the model.
• Develops budget information related to the transition to the CBC foster care model for DFPS executive leadership.

Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of reports.

• Oversees the development, preparation, analysis, and publishing of productivity, operational, and financial reports, and studies to communicate results and recommendations for changes to improve and promote the effectives of the CBC foster care model, for DFPS executive leadership, the OCBCT and externally.
• Manages the development and implementation of studies, assessments, and special projects to analyze and evaluate transition the CBC foster care model to determine strengths, effectiveness, and areas for improvement, as required.

Develops long-range and short-term plans.

• Develops and oversees the implementation of long-range and short-term plans related to the transition to the CBC foster care model to analyze and understand adjustments in operation necessary to improve outcomes and meet the unique and individual needs of children, youth, and their families.
• Works with DFPS executive leadership to develop plans and specific activities to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Engages stakeholders such as Single Source Continuum Contractors in developing both long- and short-term plans.

Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines; and implements and monitors compliance.

• Directs the development and implementation of CBC related policies, procedures, guidelines, best practices, and initiatives focused on improving agency outcomes.
•  Monitors compliance of CBC related policies, procedures, guidelines, best practices, and initiatives by analyzing effective coordination, communication, and consistency to ensure the confidence and success of CBC toward meeting the needs of local children and families across the state.
• Collaborates with DFPS executive leadership and OCBCT to make procedural recommendations based on the review and evaluation of the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on policies and procedures relating to CBC.

Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities.

• Directs, plans, develops, and approves division activities and priorities, and implements standards to meet division goals focused on ensuring the confidence and success of CBC.
• Develops, implements, directs evaluation plans, assignments and productivity related to the CBC transition to assess efficiencies and productivity to meet DFPS’ statewide plan for implementing CBC.
  
  

Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.

• Serves as the division’s representative in meetings, advisory groups, hearings, seminars, conferences, workgroups, task forces, and committees to promote coordination, consistency and enhanced agency performance and outcomes related to CBC.
• Serves as a liaison and subject matter expert to the OCBCT, internal and external entities and stakeholders.
• Plans, organizes, facilitates internal and external meetings, multidisciplinary teams, and workgroups for strengthening division operations, and fosters collaboration with internal and external stakeholders.
  
  

Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies. 

• Reviews and approves management and productivity reports on the division’s output and accomplishments as it relates to CBC expansion across the state.
• Reviews and approves financial reports and other fiscal documents to assess and evaluate the compliance of the CBC Program.

Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance.

• Evaluates results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and CBC related evaluations that impact the agency and/or the division to provide overall direction and guidance on division operations to promote efficient and effective delivery to ensure child safety, permanency, and well-being in accordance with state and federal child welfare goals.

Provides professional oversight and guidance to other occupations or support staff, including executive and/or management-level staff, to ensure compliance with and adherence to regulatory standards and established procedures.

• Provides direct reports with work assignments, clear direction and information on responsibilities and work performance expectations to ensure compliance with established CBC procedures.
• Develops work performance plans, creates, and maintains position descriptions for direct reports and conducts performance evaluations at least annually to provide guidance and ensure constancy to CBC regulations.
• Guides the strategic development of staff by fostering growth through targeted training and  employee development plans, ensuring alignment with regulatory standards and organizational priorities.

 Develops standards for achieving goals.

• Collaborates with program partners to identify needed standards or the need to revise existing standards to ensure consistency and quality in CBC operations, processes, and practices.
• Works with technical experts to draft measures that will result in effective  monitoring of CBC contract performance measures.
• Builds consensus with SMEs and program leadership by soliciting their input before finalizing benchmarks.

Responds to legislative inquiries and requests for information and participates in developing legislative appropriation requests. 

• Coordinates agency responses to CBC/OCBCT legislative inquiries and reviews and edits legislative correspondence.
• Leads and directs the agency activities related to the legislative session, including identification and development of legislative initiatives, communication of department objectives, analyzing, tracking, and monitoring proposed legislation impacting DFPS or its clients through coordination with program areas and agency leadership.

• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with legislative leadership, members and their staff through personal visits, telephone conversations, written communications, and arranging individual or group briefings on specific policy issues.
• Attends monthly budget meetings, mid-year reviews, and prepares CBC/OCBCT Legislative Appropriation Requests.

Participates in or oversees strategic communication efforts.

• Serves as the subject matter expert and point of contact to DFPS executive leadership and OCBCT on key strategic initiatives related to transition of case management and kinship services to CBC foster care model.
• Manages informative and critical communication between DFPS executive leadership and the OCBCT regarding CBC.
  
  

Participates in activities related to the legislative process including providing legislative testimony and overseeing the implementation of legislative changes.

• Represents the division by making presentations, providing information and testimony to the department’s executive team, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other groups and organizations, as required, regarding the transition of CPS services to CBC foster care model.
• Oversees and reviews the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on the department’s policies and procedures as it relates to CBC implementation.
• Collaborates with DFPS Government Relations in responding to legislative inquiries related to CBC, as needed, and requests from legislators and external stakeholders, on CBC related legislation.

Acts as Deputy Director and/or executive director in their absence. 

• In the absence of CBC Deputy Director I, directs the day-to-day operations of CBC and OCBCT, including their financial, budgetary, operational, and programmatic activities.

Supervises the work of others.

• Hires, manages, and provides guidance and professional development for staff within the division.
• Manages employee time and leave responsibilities and carries out other related human resources activities with program staff.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to Community-Based Care. Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
• Knowledge of Texas legislative processes.
• Knowledge of Texas Procurement and Contract laws.
• Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy; decision-making, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership; and conflict resolution and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems.
• Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate agency policies and procedures; to prepare concise reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Ability to make presentations and testify at hearings.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year for year basis.

Required: At least five years of experience developing processes and procedures to manage complex service delivery in an outsourced environment. Experience in supervising and managing staff, and in operations of complex service contract models.

Preferred: Experience in the management and direction of a program relevant to the assignment.

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.