Parent Program Specialist

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: Parent Program Specialist 
Job Title: Family Svcs Spclst II 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: CPS BPD Best Practices CAPTA 
Posting Number: 10749 
Closing Date: 11/27/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 20% 
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: Austin; Bastrop; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Copperas Cove; Georgetown; Giddings; Killeen; La Grange; Lampasas; Lockhart; Round Rock; San Marcos; Taylor 
MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1 
5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. 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):

Plans, develops, and implements agency programs and action plans to initiate new programs or improve current services.

•         Identifies research, training materials, and assessment tools for staff on current models used by other states or programs to assist in developing best practice models and collaborating with the other State/community organizations working on specialized research projects

•         Plans, develops and implements parent/family support activities and statewide Parent Collaboration Groups (PCGs) and participates in regional PCGs, regional and statewide meetings/conferences, and/or other similar supportive services to ensure consistent delivery of supportive services that promote family engagement and reunification.

•         Consults with the training department, leadership and regional staff on the development of agency professional development training to ensure a balanced perspective is provided and staff can understand the challenges and benefits to engaging with families. 

•         Develops regional policies, procedures, protocols and initiatives to create a statewide process that embraces family strengths to resolve family issues

Oversees and/or evaluates administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.

•         Reviews and evaluates service delivery through input from field staff and review of management reports and special studies to recommend adjustments to improve program effectiveness and accessibility.

•         Conducts targeted research projects on parenting program models used in other states or agencies and prepares summary reports for leadership with recommendations for potential implementation to DFPS services.

Conducts and coordinates surveys, inspections, or reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

•         Conducts research and analyzes information from other agency divisions, other state agencies, community and advocacy groups, and other states for the purpose of program planning and development.

•         Evaluates and interprets state and federal legislation and judicial mandates to ensure parenting education providers are in compliance with requirements.

•         Coordinates surveys with regional staff and caregivers to assess whether family support services meet required policy and quality standards, using results to identify areas needing corrective action or enhancement.

Studies and analyzes operations and problems and prepares reports of findings and recommendations.

•         Reviews and evaluates service delivery to children and families through input from field staff and review of management reports and special studies. These may include but are not limited to case documentation, Family Group Conferences, case consultations, transfer of knowledge assignments, and discussions with family members.

•         Works jointly with the Children's Commission, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, CASA, and other state agencies to evaluate current programs and institute new initiatives to improve engagement with families.

•         Researches and analyzes information from other agency divisions, other state agencies, community and advocacy groups, and other states for the purpose of program planning and development.

•         Evaluates and interprets state and federal legislation and judicial mandates and completes bill analysis during legislative session and provides recommendations to CPS leadership.

Provides consultative services and technical assistance to plan, implement, and monitor effective programs and services.

•         Provides consultative services and technical assistance to CPS state office program staff, community organizations, governmental agencies, and parents in analyzing programs related to family engagement, communication, and partnership in finding family members for children in foster care through presentations, written materials, and consultations.

•         Provides one-on-one case consultations, participation in Family Group Conferences or Family Team Meetings to ensure staff are identifying opportunities for family members to maintain connections with their children during a child welfare case.

•         Meets individually with family members to encourage and sustain hope and involvement with their children during an open case.

•         Provides technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders to determine solutions.

•         Provide consultative services and technical assistance to CPS state office program staff, community organizations, governmental agencies, and parents in analyzing programs.

Reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, outputs, and activities in order to identify gaps in resources and recommend improvements.

•         Identify gaps in services, develop and implement plans to improve agency functioning while emphasizing the importance of supporting and strengthening families involved with or at risk of involvement with the child welfare system     

•         Develops program specifications for and writes the request for proposal (RFP) documents. Prepares grant proposals to obtain funding for programs.

•         Researches and analyzes information from other agency divisions, other state agencies, community and advocacy groups, and other states for the purpose of program planning and development toward the outcomes of family reunification and engagement of family members.

•         Reviews, coordinates, prepares and evaluates internal and external speakers to present information and data toward increased family involvement and family reunification.

Works with community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and strengthen knowledge between agency and external stakeholders; and to stimulate interest in the program and to secure support for local programs.

•         Promotes, monitors, and ensures that respect is demonstrated for all parents, relatives, children/youth who come to the attention of CPS respond to short term or emergency requests.

•         Develops working relationships with internal and external stakeholders on the state and federal level for the betterment of CPS services.

•         Networks with state and national governments, associations, advocates, and academia, to improve program operations and outcomes for children and families.

•         Serves as a subject matter expert representing the parent’s voice, influencing policy, and resolving program and practice needs through training or sharing of information.

Works with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.

•         Identifies service needs and develops and implements program initiatives to determine trends affecting CPS services.

•         Plans, organizes, and conducts or facilitates internal and external meetings and work groups for ongoing program operations.

•         Facilitates presentations at professional events/conferences/meetings which train staff to help determine program trends.

Trains and informs region or district staff and community stakeholders, and monitors region or district staff procedures to ensure the program goals are realized.

•         Makes presentations and trains staff and community stakeholders at professional conferences.

•         Serves as a subject matter expert and provides technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders.

•         Serve as a subject matter expert representing the parent’s voice and influencing policy, program and practice.

Develops, evaluates, and reviews policy and procedure manuals.

•         Writes and develops reports and issues papers, as assigned, due to legislative requests, media concerns or inquiries from the public. 

•         Collaborates with all internal and external stakeholders involved in legislative and policy related assignments, including state office staff from all divisions, regional staff at all levels, staff from other state and federal agencies, providers of services for DFPS clients, legislators, parents, relatives, community agencies and organizations, foster parents and care providers to obtain information in the service of policy and procedure development.

Assists in the development and implementation of regional policies, procedures, and protocols for agency programs or initiatives, and subsequent expansion and replication, in close coordination with other agency liaison.

•         Interacts with all internal and external stakeholders involved in legislative and policy related assignments, including state office staff from all divisions, regional staff at all levels, staff from other state and federal agencies, providers of services for DFPS clients, legislators, parents, relatives, community agencies and organizations, foster parents and care providers.  

•         Assist in the development of regional policies, procedures, protocols and initiatives to create a statewide process that embraces family strengths to resolve family issues.

May supervise the work of others.

•         N/A

Performs related work as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

•         Knowledge of local, state and federal law related to the involvement of parents/families in CPS related matters.

•         Knowledge of program planning and implementation. Ability to gather assembles, correlate and analyze facts.

•         Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.

•         Ability to approach problems critically and analytically and recommend solutions. Ability to understand and apply new information efficiently and effectively.

•         Ability to prepare concise reports.

•         Ability to work independently in fast paced/stressful situations within a limited time frame and with minimal supervision.

•         Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships both internally and externally including working relationships with parents and families who have been involved with CPS due to abuse and neglect.

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

•         Ability to present information at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings.

•         Ability to work with confidential information and records.

•         Strong verbal and written communication skills

•         Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from high school or equivalent. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, or a related field is generally preferred. Parent who has been involved with the child welfare system is preferred.

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.