APS Contract Specialist II

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: APS Contract Specialist II 
Job Title: APS Contract Spec II 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: COA APS Contracts 
Posting Number: 10004 
Closing Date: 11/06/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-18 
Salary Range: $3,793.41 - $5,921.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
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: HOUSTON 
Job Location Address: 5425 POLK ST 
Other Locations: Midland; 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; 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: 3006,3044,8640,310X,36A,36B,51C,60C0,62S0,63G0,63S0,64PX,651X,6C0X1,751X,FIN10,F&S,LS,LSS,SEI16,SK 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Contract Specialist position performs duties associated with procuring, developing, managing and monitoring a broad range of contracts for Adult Protective Services. In addition, this position is responsible for managing the different payment methodologies associated with client and administrative service contracts or vendors. Work involves assisting in developing competitive and noncompetitive procurements; negotiating and awarding contracts; processing renewals, amendments and plan change documents; processing payments to contractors and vendors.

The position monitors contractor performance to determine fiscal and programmatic compliance with Federal, State and Agency policies and procedures. The position is also responsible for maintenance of contract data in the appropriate systems, ongoing updates to internal tracking systems, and maintenance of billing and contract files. This position is responsible for traveling to train new APS Specialists on purchasing methodologies, accessing contracts, and procurement policy requirements and compliance. The position interacts with APS Specialists; contractors; representatives from various state and community agencies, organizations and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff at all levels; and the general public.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Assists in the development of competitive and non-competitive procurements and recommends the awarding of open enrollment contracts. When contracts are executed, completes the requisition in CAPPS FIN to generate a contract record.
• Completes and maintains contract data in SCOR, and IMPACT.  As well as completing associated administrative activities such as maintaining contract documents as per policy and divisional/unit guidelines.
• Completes contract management and monitoring activities by applicable handbook requirements to include monitoring contractor performance to determine fiscal and programmatic compliance with Federal, State and Agency policies and procedures.
• Identifies and resolves Contractor issues and manages financial aspects of assigned contracts or payment methodologies.
• Participates in conducting Procurement Card training and other program specific training or meeting for the purpose of interpretation of contract related policy, in the interpretation of service delivery requirements.
• Conducts intensive invoice reviews and processes bills. Notifies appropriate staff of any significant problems concerning contracts in the region.
• Serves as primary liaison between contractors and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of or ability to learn Excel, IMPACT, SCOR, SharePoint and Word.
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Ability to calculate detailed math formulas accurately.
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and complete multiple tasks with deadlines.
• Ability to function as a team member.
• Knowledge of contracting regulations and policies.
• Ability to interpret and apply state policies, rules and regulations.
• Ability to identify problems and make recommendations to correct.
• Ability to work in a stressful environment and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work independently with little supervision

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

This position will require a Texas Contract Manager Certification within 18 months of assuming the position.   

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university and two years full-time contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, training of contract providers, or Texas Department of Family and Protective Services experience.

Acceptable Substitutions:

• One additional year full-time contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, training of contract providers, or Texas Department of Family and Protective Services experience may be substituted on a year for year basis for the required education, with a maximum substitution of four years

Additional Information:

The position will be required to travel to meet with staff, for meetings, and conferences. Salary will be calculated according to DFPS salary policy.   

This position has the potential for full-time telework consistent with DFPS HR Policies. It is preferred that this position be housed in DFPS Regions 2 or 9 with the potential to be housed statewide.

This position will require a Texas Contract Manager Certification within 18 months of assuming the position.   

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.