Director of Regional Operations

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.

Brief Job Description:

Performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning. Work involves establishing the strategic plan and 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 or division.

• Directs and provides oversight of internal space planning for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS).
• Serves as a liaison to HHSC System Support Services (SSS) related to space planning and space needs for DFPS.
• Monitors the effect that support services have on regional provision of client services and ensures that support services provided by HHSC Regional Administrative Services (RAS), including warehouse management, facility services, and financial management of regional cost pools, are provided to all regional staff according to service level agreements.

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

• Responsible for conflict resolution between internal and external stakeholders, working with enterprise staff and external partners.
• Participates on statewide workgroups related to the provision of cost effective and efficient administrative services.
• Oversight of regional office building management, space planning and support.
• Develops processes and techniques to evaluate business functions based on changes in agency business needs.

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

• Performs complex managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning for regional office facilities statewide.
• Establishes goals and objectives, develops policies, reviewing guidelines, procedures, rules, and regulations, in consultation state office executives, regional leadership and HHSC RAS.
• Implement performance metrics to monitor progress and ensure accountability in meeting objectives.

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

• Provides oversight of facility related administrative purchases, such as furniture and shipping.
• Manages and oversees budgeting activities such as travel expenditures.
• Develops and maintains an organized system to track and manage expenditures that supports a balanced budget in meeting business needs.

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

• Establishes guidelines that ensure best practices in operations.
• Conducts regular reviews of policies and procedures to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date based on business needs.
• Develops policies and procedures to support business needs and updates existing policies and procedures, as needed.

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

• Conducts periodic reviews of operational processes and reports adjustment needs to schedule and priorities as necessary.
• Implements a continuous improvement process to regularly update and refine operational strategies.
• Reviews and reports on operational procedures for approval that will streamline workflow and improve productivity.

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

• On behalf of DFPS, assists with analyzing current/potential effect of current/proposed legislation, regulations, policies, or court rulings on agency operations, as needed.
• Participates in Continuity of Operations planning and exercise, to include a supporting role in this function on behalf of DFPS, as needed.
• On behalf of DFPS, participates in workgroups with external partners, such as HHSC RAS and SSS, to address and represent agency needs related to space planning, as needed.

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

• Reviews budget and financial plans that align with the strategic goals of the organization.
• Monitors key performance indicators through reports to track progress towards organizational objectives.

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

• Engages with staff to analyze and address findings from internal audit reviews, studies to improve processes, and forecast trends to provide guidance for issue resolution.
• Use of modeling exercises, based on broader agency needs and changes impacting work demands, to provide guidance that support a customer service approach.

May develop or assist with developing long-range and short-term plans.

• Assists with developing long-range and short-term plans by assessing business needs, considering regional changes, team workload and project management, and overall program development.

Supervises the work of others.

• Plans and assigns work of direct reports, develops performance goals and work plans, provides opportunities for training, and completes performance evaluations.
• Leads the team by overseeing, mentoring, and providing professional development opportunities for staff members.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions.

Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of regional service delivery and operation support systems.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.

Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions.

Ability to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.

Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Ability to prepare reports.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
None  

Initial Selection Criteria:

Experience in the management and direction of a program relevant to the assignment such as state agency operations, performance management, policy development and stakeholder engagement.

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.

Experience in supervision, with direct reports.

Experience with DFPS space planning and oversight, preferred.

Experience within DFPS program needs, preferred.

Additional Information

This position requires work outside of regular business hours and travel (30%)

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.

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.