CPS Prgm Support Spec FSS 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: CPS Prgm Support Spec FSS I 
Job Title: CPS Prgm Support Spec FSS I 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Region 3E CPS Dir Del -Other 
Posting Number: 8629 
Closing Date: 09/17/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 15% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: DALLAS 
Job Location Address: 8700 N STEMMONS FWY 
Other Locations: Austin 
MOS Codes: 31D, 35L, 35M, 68X, 73A, 311A, 351L, 351M, HM, IS, NC, 183X, 230X, 683X, 783X, IV, MST, INV, ISS 
OAP12, 0149, 5821, 5822, 5832, 1N0X1, 4C0X1, 4E0X1, 14NX, 42SX, 43HX, 71SX, 0868, 66C, 47L, 66R 
67D, L24A, 001387 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs 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 limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Participates in planning, developing, and implementing agency programs and action plans to initiate new programs or improve current services.

• Provide action plan development consultation to DFPS staff regarding improving delivery service cases by providing information and referral services regarding intellectual and developmental disability resources to appropriately meet the individual needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Participates in transition planning meetings, case reviews, circles of support, and permanency conferences.
• Develops and provides intellectual and developmental disability resource and action plan training or support for current services to CPS staff and foster parents involving children on both an individual and formal classroom basis.
• Plans and develops new programs and/or services to address the unique challenges of young adults transitioning out of care into the community and help address resources needed for future support.
• Routinely develops and delivers timely technical assistance and effective troubleshooting to internal and external stakeholders to enhance existing services.

Recommends improvements in services to regional management and advisory and steering committees.

• N/A

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

• Conducts assessments of Home and Community-Based Service (HCS) providers to determine compliance with DFPS policies prior to placement of youth in DFPS conservatorship.
• Provides written reports of home assessments to regional staff to assist with placement decisions for youth in DFPS conservatorship.
• Coordinates with HCS providers, regional staff and other agency staff to ensure caregivers and staff in these settings are compliant with DFPS policies when providing care for youth in DFPS conservatorship.

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

• Reviews internal data for compliance, clarity, and adherence to current policy and statute.
• Consults with internal agency divisions to ensure CPS program compliance with applicable requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Prepares reports for review of external data provided to the public for accuracy and compliance.
• Coordinates and tracks assignments and activities, prepares a variety of reports, correspondence and other documents related to CPS services for children with disabilities.

Prepares and evaluates administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.

• Works with other CPS Disability Specialists to coordinate and prepare specialized research projects which include tasks, policy updates and/or implementations for Program Divisions 
• Consults with State Office Leadership, Regional Leadership, program specialists, and regional staff to evaluate and update policy and practice and mandated Legislative administrative reports.
• Reviews, provides studies, consultation and guidance on legislative bills that impact children with disabilities in the conservatorship of DFPS.
• Assists in preparing and evaluating administrative reports and research by analyzing legislative bills to determine program and fiscal impacts, developing statewide implementation plans, and collaborating with leadership to enhance staff training at all levels.

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

• Provides technical support and consultation on intellectual and developmental disability services to regional staff, school systems, and other agencies to promote consistent understanding and implementation of staff development plans, policies, and practices.

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

• Reviews program data and information on intellectual and developmental disability service delivery activities in order to provide technical assistance and consultation to regional staff, school systems, and other agency staff. This knowledge allows consistent understanding of relevant policies and practices related to staff development.
• Provides intellectual and developmental disability service delivery guidance to CPS and regional leadership and school systems on program policy, procedural, and action issues.

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

• Uses internal data reports and works with staff to monitor trends and performance.
• Recommends changes to reflect compliance of services provided and resolve technical problems as they arise.
• Assists or develops plans to improve program operations.

Works with and speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program and to secure support for local programs.

• Establishes a network to secure support for local services and programs while becoming an expert in the knowledge of intellectual and developmental disability services and resources, coordinating services between DFPS staff and these resources on behalf of DFPS children with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Deaf and Hard Hearing.

Serves as the meeting facilitator to lead participants in creating an appropriate action plan, utilizing mediation and facilitation skills.

• Acts as liaisons between DFPS and Health and Human Services to coordinate community-based services through the youth’s Local Intellectual and Developmental Disability Authority (LIDDA) using meeting facilitation and collaboration skills to develop appropriate service plans.
• Serve as liaison between DFPS and Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities and facilitates meetings involving DFPS and Committee staff to ensure action plans meet program standards.

Ensures plans developed by clients addresses the areas of services provided through available community services.

• N/A

Assists in the review and evaluation of community services to identify issues and trends resulting from the clients’ use of those services.

• Assists other CPS staff in reviewing, summarizing, identifying and contacting existing specialized placement trends and resources for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and assists in recommending potential new placement resources or services for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the conservatorship of DFPS.

Assists in analyzing the applications and variations of programs to develop an action plan for improving or initiating new programs.

• Reviews and evaluates information, procedures and protocols on service delivery for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Assists in case planning activities as it pertains to identifying and coordinating specific needs and services to meet those needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Assists in locating potential new placement resources for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the conservatorship of DFPS.

Assists the agency in the collection of regional data associated with projects to monitor performance outcomes and effectiveness.

• Utilizes software programs to monitor and track progress of divisional projects and assigned tasks to achieve project completion on new initiatives and informs staff and stakeholders of progress.
• Develops collection, tracking and training data and procedures and prepares reports regarding regional and statewide outcomes for programs for children with disabilities in DFPS conservatorship.

May supervise the work of others.

• N/A

Performs related work as assigned.

• Coordinates intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) services and resources for children with these special needs in DFPS conservatorship, specifically Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
• Interacts routinely with caseworkers, supervisors, Permanency Conference facilitators, foster parents, regional and state office staff, other agency staff and residential providers.
• Assists assignments of children in conservatorship with intellectual and developmental disabilities and is responsible for helping staff locate placement options for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Prepares, evaluates, and reviews quality written project reports, updates, summaries, and other documents.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48
• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration and management techniques; statistical analysis; and program planning and implementation.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare reports; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the Child Protective Services program.
• Specialized knowledge of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Medicaid Waiver Programs, and guardianship
• Specialized knowledge of CPS program, state, and federal child welfare practices as it relates to children in the conservatorship of the state.
• Specialized knowledge of CPS program and child welfare practice.
• Knowledge of child placement, adoptions, and permanency strategies.
• Knowledge of intellectual and developmental disability programs, resources, and services available for children.
• Knowledge of various specialized placement options for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Knowledge of case planning processes for meeting the needs of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• Skill in program planning, development, and implementation.
• Skill in verbal and written communication
• Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.
• Ability to approach problems critically and analytically.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.
• Ability to work with a variety of levels of staff inside and outside the agency to secure appropriate placements, resources, and services for the children with intellectual and developmental disabilities and hard of hearing.
• Ability to clearly document specific needs and the services required to meet the child’s needs.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to Education.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Certified in American Sign Language (ASL)

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in social work or related field. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, gerontology, early childhood education, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Additional Information:

This position is to be housed in Austin.

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.