Director I

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: Director I 
Job Title: Director I 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: CPS BPD Best Practices CAPTA 
Posting Number: 9362 
Closing Date: 10/07/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26 
Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83 
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: 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:

Performs highly advanced managerial and leadership work by providing strategic direction, guidance and oversight of initiatives impacting Child Protective Investigations (CPI). This includes leading legislative initiatives, coordinating agency advisory councils, implementing family engagement projects, and developing cross-division strategies to strengthen investigations. Work involves strategic planning, policy development, stakeholder engagement, budgetary oversight, and evaluation of division activities. Work involves 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 initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

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

•         Directs activities of the agency’s CPI HB 140 Advisory Committee, Partners for Children and Families Committee (PCFC), and Family Engagement Initiative, as well as other duties assigned.

•         Identifies program issues and trends and oversees development and implementation of process improvements.

•         Develops and implements program operations priorities and manages the development and preparation of studies, special projects, audits and analyses, and ensures completion.

•         Provides technical guidance to internal and external stakeholders regarding program policies and procedures.

•         Interacts routinely with regional and state office, Child Protective Investigation staff, state office legal, budget and information technology staff, other state agencies, external stakeholder groups and various other organizations.

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

•         Oversees the development and implementation of CPI division productivity of House Bill 140, Partners for Children and Families Committee (PCFC), Family Engagement and other assigned duties, including but not limited to job-related duties, workgroup meetings, presentations or special projects, and quality assurance measures to meet organizational policies and procedures.

•         Develops evaluation techniques, such as qualitative or quantitative data analysis or case reviews, to identify and implement new division management strategies, activities and process improvements to ensure permanency issues are addressed.

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

•         Ensures division goals and objectives are congruent with program and agency leadership’s goals and objectives.

•         Creates, adjusts, and expands division goals and objectives to ensure they support the agency’s strategic plan.

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

•         Assists with the development of division budget requests, monitors expenditures, and makes budget recommendations.

•         Reviews and approves expenditures in the division  to ensure affordability, fiscal responsibility, and correct funding source.

•         Ensures  the division operated within the budgetary constraints provided by the DFPS Finance Division.

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

•         Creates and updates policies, procedures, and guidelines to meet programmatic goals and compliance.

•         Ensures compliance through reviewing procurement activities, contract management, and confirms adherence to reporting obligations tied to federal grants and state appropriations.

•         Completes implementation of Agency legislation and legislatively directed tasks or projects.

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

•         Oversees planning and prioritization of program functions and fiscal activities by establishing and approving staff schedules.

•         Completes and directs evaluations activity of staff by setting standards for achieving program objectives.

•         Evaluates the effectiveness of safety, permanency and well-being of children and families in Child Protective Services, as it relates to service delivery. Assesses, through measures including but not limited to data analysis and qualitative case reads, any trends or patterns regarding effective policies and practices as they relate to Child Protective Investigations.

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

•         Represents the division by delivering presentations, legislative briefings, and program updates to internal and external stakeholders.

•         Engages in collaborative discussions with legislators, advisory councils, community partners, and advocacy groups to communicate division priorities and solicit feedback.

•         Represents DFPS by attending and actively participating in community awareness events that promote DFPS and CPI’s mission and values, strengthen partnerships with stakeholders, and increase public understanding of available programs and services

•         Presents key program information at conferences, meetings and on stakeholder webinars.

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

•         Reviews CPI performance dashboards, regional productivity reports, and workload analyses to assess division efficiency and effectiveness.

•         Approves management reports related to advisory council outcomes, legislative initiative implementation, and special project progress.

•         Ensures studies and reports are accurate, data-informed, and reflective of CPI goals and statewide priorities.

•         Reviews and approves program financial reports to program leadership and DFPS finance.

•         Analyzes Budget spreadsheets for program division budget and makes appropriate recommendations.

•         Reviews and approves program financial reports to program leadership and DFPS finance.

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

•         Coordinates program response to the State Auditor’s Office Review of management and oversight activities by DFPS.

•         Oversees risk management for program to ensure compliance with DFPS agency policy.

•         Completes timely comprehensive cost analyses for a variety of programs and supports to ensure appropriate use of funds.

•         Reviews budget projections and trends to determine how to best meet funds maximization for program.

•         Reviews findings from internal audits, research studies, and special investigations to identify risks, trends, and improvement opportunities.

•         Uses evidence from evaluations to provide guidance to staff on improving practice, strengthening compliance, and achieving division 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 leadership and direction to management-level staff to ensure program goals and legislative requirements are achieved.

•         Guides staff in the implementation of advisory council recommendations, special projects, and legislative initiatives.

•         Ensures staff across divisions adhere to regulatory standards, DFPS policy, and best practices in Child Protective Investigations.

•         Provides direct reports with work assignments, clear direction and information on responsibilities and work performance expectations. 

•         Develops work performance plans and conducts performance evaluations at least annually.

Administer and direct programs in a specific area.

•         Administers legislative initiatives such as House Bill 140, ensuring timely implementation and compliance with statutory requirements.

•         Directs advisory council functions including the CPI HB 140 Advisory Committee, PCFC, and Family Engagement Initiative to strengthen investigative practices.

•         Oversees assigned projects and ensures programs are coordinated across divisions to improve child safety, permanency, and family well-being outcomes.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

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 program activities and/or

business functions; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.

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 policies and procedures; to prepare concise reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.    

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Must have 7 years of DFPS supervision experience with 5 of those being in CPI

Additional Information:

This position is housed at Brown Heatly

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.