Government Relations Spec III

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 highly advanced (senior-level) legislative and consultative work. Work involves coordinating activities and serving as a liaison between a state agency and governmental and legislative entities. May supervise the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Coordinates and participates in agency activities related to the legislative session; and attends legislative hearings and meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons.

• Coordinates 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.
• Identifies and develops legislative training needs for agency executives and employees around drafting bill analyses and fiscal impact statements and providing public testimony.
• Alongside the Government Relations Director, serves as a department point of contact for coordinating and supporting the work of legislative interim committees.
• Attends legislative hearings and meetings with legislators, legislative staff and other legislative liaisons.

Reviews and prepares reports on newly enacted laws and pending state and federal legislation.

• Coordinates and implements legislative strategies and initiatives to further agency goals.
• Monitors the implementation and rule making process associated with legislation, keeping interested legislators and their staff informed of the process, as appropriate.
• Prepare periodic updates for interested legislators.

Represents the agency before legislative committees and provides testimony.

• Represents the agency at legislative hearings and provides testimony as needed.
• Represents the agency at meetings with elected state officials and other state and local governmental entities, stakeholders and advocates.

Coordinates agency interaction and testimony before legislative committees.

• Coordinates with executive staff on the agency representation at legislative committees.
• Coordinates with executive and agency staff on providing testimony prior to committee meetings.
• Works closely with programmatic experts and senior level staff, craft various documents including reports, presentations, talking points, briefing documents, memorandums, and letters.

Coordinates responses to legislative inquires and reviews and edits legislative correspondence.

• Coordinates agency communications with legislators and staff related to inquiries.
• Reviews and edits agency correspondence with legislators and their staff.

Coordinates communication with legislative support and executive agencies.

• Coordinates agency communications with legislators and external stakeholders on agency related legislation and interaction.
• Coordinates agency inquiries and responses with legislators and external stakeholders.

Develops proper protocol and procedures for communicating with legislators and staff.

• Develops proper protocol and procedures for agency communications with legislators and staff.
• Reviews and edits agency responses to legislators and their staff.
• Coordinates agency responses to legislative inquires.

Develops, conducts, and evaluates legislative training.

• Develops training for use by staff on bill analysis review and reporting.
• Develops training on use of legislative tracking system.
• Evaluates legislative training for improvement and develops recommendations to management for improvements.

Monitors standing and interim committee schedules and agendas and communicates relevant information to agency management.

• Monitors standing and interim committee schedules and agendas and communicates relevant information to agency management.
• Communicates agency needs for representation or interaction on committee agendas and/or schedules.

Prepares and reviews report summaries of meetings and hearings.

• Prepares meeting and hearing summaries related to agency programs and policies.
• Prepares meeting and hearing summaries to agency executives, government relations and program management.

May supervise the work of others.

• Provides leadership for the Government Relations Unit, coordinates legislative operations, and oversees the daily activities of four staff.
• Facilitates the processes for the planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of government relations functions.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of the federal and state legislative processes and state government administration.

Skill in compiling, evaluating, and presenting legislative information; in problem solving and negotiating; in policy analysis and research; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to analyze issues, to work under pressure and meet close deadlines, to communicate effectively, and to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

 N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience working with the federal or state legislature, legislative staff, advocacy organizations or research services. 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-to-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.

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.