CPS Contract Performance Program Specialist V

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 Contract Performance Program Specialist V 
Job Title: CPS Contract Perf Prog Spec V 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: COA CPS Residential Contracts 
Posting Number: 7807 
Closing Date: 08/15/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21 
Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 30% 
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: 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: No direct military equivalent. 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

CPS Contract Perf Prog Spec V performs contract monitoring work within the areas of CPS-Purchased Client Services, 24-Hour Residential Child Care Contracts Division. The position performs advanced (senior-level) risk management and oversight work. The position provides on-site contract evaluation for program operation and fiscal monitoring of DFPS 24-Hour Residential Child Care Contractors to ensure quality care, services and safety. The position works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The Contract Specialist V coordinates its function with Agency management and staff, and HHSC enterprise contacts to provide, exchange, or verify information, answer inquiries, address issues, and resolve problems and complaints. Ensures contract monitoring reports are objective, clear, concise, constructive, and timely. Contributes to determining monitoring objectives and scope of work to be performed. Performs research, obtains relevant background information, and assists in recommending the necessary staff resources required to perform monitoring engagements. Develops monitoring documents including planning analysis assessments, monitoring reports, correspondence and corrective action plans. Conducts meetings with Agency management and Contractors to discuss monitoring objectives, scope, and findings. Leads and performs monitoring related projects to include developing assessment programs and questionnaires, performing fieldwork, documenting results, and developing relevant and accurate conclusions and recommendations; tests and evaluates controls, compliance, and performance. Prepares and reviews working papers, monitoring report findings and recommendations, coordinates management responses, and completes monitoring reports. Reviews colleague’s work to ensure necessary monitoring steps were completed and properly documented; and ensures documentation is in compliance with applicable contract provisions, standards, policies, and procedures, and that evidence fully supports conclusions, findings and recommendations. The Contract Specialist interprets statistical evidence and develops work plans, reports, and documentary support for program development and assessment. Performs research and conducts informal reviews for referrals made as the result of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation from investigations and surveys, and documents information on appropriate forms and monitoring reports. Conducts random and frequent visits to assess risk levels of DFPS contracted 24-hour residential child care facilities. The position interacts routinely with Agency representatives, Contractors, and various organizations. 

Essential Job Functions:

• Performs analytical assessments of risks; coordinates the risk assessment process for contract monitoring planning.
• Performs the monitoring of and/or monitors contract performance by examining safety & program operations, fiscal data, and eligibility determinations for compliance with terms of contract and policies, and recommends varying remediation actions of contracts when deviations occur.
• Performs the monitoring of and/or monitors legal and regulatory requirements pertaining to contracting.
• Evaluates and reviews expenditure data and makes projections to ensure appropriate use of funds.
• Identifies training needs and determines how training and technical assistance should be provided and conducted to the Contractors.
• Collaborates with Residential Contract Managers to resolves monitoring exceptions by defining causes of issues and deficiencies and recommending appropriate dispositions.
• Develops and maintains professional working relationships with agency and HHSC enterprise customers and staff to facilitate effective rapport and coordination; provides liaison activities; and provides timely responses to requests and inquiries.
• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of statistical sampling and evaluating sampled results.

• Knowledge of business practices, accounting methods, and automated accounting systems.

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area.

• Skill in applying critical thinking and analysis.

• Skill in communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing.

• Skill in performing research.

• Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance.

• Skill in handling multiple projects and meeting tight deadlines.

• Skill in the use of a computer and applicable software.

• Ability to lead, plan, and organize work activities for a team.

• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts.

• Ability to prepare concise reports.

• Ability to identify problems, evaluates alternatives, and makes sound decisions.

• Ability to interpret policies and procedures.

• Ability to edit contract requirements and specifications; to communicate effectively; and to plan, assign, and/or review the work of others.

• Ability to create, analyze, and evaluate information and translate it into easily understandable and concise documents and oral presentations.

• Ability to identify risk elements, determine and recommend appropriate measures to mitigate the risk environment.

• Ability to evaluate contract provisions and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations to evaluate fiscal payments for reasonableness, necessity, and conformity with contract requirements.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

CTCM must be obtained within 12-18 months from hire.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Two years full-time contract development, management, evaluation, monitoring, and training of contract providers. DFPS experience can be substituted for contract management experience but must have at least 2 years working with DFPS.

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.