ITS Systems Administrator 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: ITS Systems Administrator IV 
Job Title: Systems Administrator IV 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: ITS Application & Data Support 
Posting Number: 8362 
Closing Date: 09/03/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $8,304.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 5% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD 
Other Locations: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata 
MOS Codes: 25B, IT, 275, 0171, 3D0X2 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Systems Administrator IV performs highly complex (senior-level) systems administration work involving maintaining the configuration and operation, and reliability of systems, and installing and upgrading computer components and system software. Works directly with computer hardware and software, managing an agency’s servers, resolving problems with computer systems, and evaluates and optimizes a system for effective performance.  Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Performs troubleshooting support of systems hardware, software, and networking issues.

• Performs troubleshooting of existing application systems to identify hardware, software or network issues and escalates issues to the appropriate support teams.
• Troubleshoots user interface issues with agency application systems to assist customers in proper utilization of the agency systems.
• Researches data to identify problems and provide troubleshooting and consultative services to determine trends and resolve technical problems related to application data and security issues.

Responds to incident and problem calls, and processes service requests and tasks.

• Provides support in resolving service requests and troubleshooting application issues.
• Provides support and training on processes for properly utilizing application systems.

Installs, configures, maintains, and administers servers, operating systems, and applications.

• Configures, maintains and administers the permissions and roles of users who access the case management application systems and servers.
• Identifies, documents, submits and tracks the needed configuration changes or maintenance needs of applications systems.
• Supports agency staff and external entities with application functionality, configuration, maintenance and operation of application systems.

Supports operational, technical, and system requirements for the location, installation, operation, and maintenance of servers.

• Supports the operational, technical and system requirements for the operation and maintenance of the case management and other application servers.
• Troubleshoots errors or other server related issues that affect the normal operation or maintenance of application systems running on those servers.

Prepares and maintains operating procedures for technical support, troubleshooting, maintenance, and innovative systems administration techniques.

• Provides Tier II customer support for assigned application systems and documents the activities and actions taken in troubleshooting and incident resolutions.
• Assists in the planning and implementation of Information Technology Initiatives as related to changes in business requirements, laws, and new agency initiatives.
• Conducts testing new technologies in support of DFPS case management systems, from a data integrity, application security and end-user perspective, as requested by division management.

Maintains workstation/server data integrity by using appropriate software and hardware solutions along with implementing a schedule of backups for data archiving.

• Performs application maintenance and upkeep activities to ensure the reliable operation of agency application systems by writing and submitting data fixes to maintain server data integrity.
• Uses the appropriate software to identify and correct data defects including duplicate records, missing or inaccurate data to preserve server data integrity.

Configures automation routines using scripting and other programming languages.

• Configures and documents automation routines for the SQL programming language for use in identifying data irregularities.

• Uses PowerShell or other scripting languages to automate routines to collect and output server data vital to the support of application systems.

Studies existing information processing systems to evaluate effectiveness and develop new systems to improve production or workflow as required.

• Studies existing information processing systems to evaluate effectiveness and documents defects for information processing systems to improve production.
• Participates in the development of new application systems to improve workflow for staff and users of the applications.

Coordinates, plans, and schedules the installation of or training for new or revised systems and defines business process requirements.

• Coordinates with Managers to plan and schedule training for team members related to new application systems, including case management and non-case management application systems.
• Coordinates with the help desk and team members to troubleshoot and identify root cause, provide technical support, and define support documentation.
• Assists in implementing procedural or policy changes, including the provision of guidance and training with the goal of improving data integrity in support of the DFPS mission.

Defines and manages the roles and access privileges of individual network entities users and devices within a variety of applications to prevent unauthorized access.

• Manages security permissions, user roles, and user access rights to ensure application systems comply with least privileged security guidelines.
• Assists with quality assurance checks required for audits of application systems to ensure agency compliance.

Performs related work as assigned.

• Acts as Team Lead, providing mentoring, coaching, and training to team members; coordinates and assigns workload, and tracks progress and reviews work assignments for completion, as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of the general practices, principles, and techniques of computer operations.

• Knowledge of local and wide area networks, active directory, add/ delete network users, database administration, and management information systems.

• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.

• Skill in effective verbal and written communications of technical information to technical and non-technical staff.

• Ability to prioritize and manage heavy workloads.

• Ability to interact with all levels of staff and provide effective customer support.

• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment.

• Ability to operate a personal computer and software packages.

• Ability to work evenings, weekends, either pre-planned or on-call.

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in computer science, business administration, public administration, or closely related field of study.

Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in a systems, applications, project management or data analysis role.

Full-time professional experience in a systems, applications, project management or data analysis role may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis, with a maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Additional Information:

This position is full-time telework and can be filled in any DFPS region.

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.