CPS Deputy Regional Director

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.

Brief Job Description:

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Child Protective Services (CPS) Deputy Regional Director under the direction of the CPS Regional Director performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning of program activities within the designated region of the state. Work involves establishing the strategic plan and goals and objectives; developing policies, procedures, and guidelines; establishing priorities, standards, and measurement tools for determining progress in meeting goals; coordinating and evaluating program activities and/or business functions; and reviewing and approving budgets within departments or divisions. Supervises the work of others. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

The CPS Deputy Regional Director will understand the gravity of the program's mission to protect children and will set high expectations of program staff and management to fulfill that mission under the direction of the CPS Regional Director.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department or division.
• Directs planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of agency program services to promote positive client outcomes related to child safety, permanency, and well-being under the direction of the CPS Regional Director.
• Responsible for case outcomes, ensuring tasks are completed timely, and that agency program policy and procedures are followed.
• Implements practice and policy changes without disruption to delivery of agency program services under the Direction of the CPS Regional Director.
• Advises the CPS Regional Director on issues related to program support.
• Provides program expertise, technical assistance consultation to staff.

Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions within a department or division; and identifies need for changes.
• Develops, implements, and monitors plans, procedures, and techniques to ensure effective allocation and management of regional resources for the program under the direction of the CPS Regional Director.
• Develops, implements and monitors innovative "best practice" service delivery models.
• Identifies risk and trends of regional resources for the program and consults with the CPS Regional Director to develop risk mitigation strategies and support.
• Identifies systemic issues, policy conflicts, knowledge and process gaps and deficiencies and provides input to CPS Regional Director.

Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.
• Develops, communicates and monitors regional activities to ensure agency goals and objectives are met and consistent with the DFPS mission and strategic plan.

Develops, reviews, and approves budgets and major expenditures; and ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.
• Develops, reviews, and approves budget associated with the program’s designated region needs, to include major expenditures and need for program funding under the directions of the CPS Regional Director.
• Responsible for regional program budget planning under the direction of the CPS Regional Director.
• Responsible for fiscal responsibility of regional program budget including expenditures, salaries, etc.

Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines, and monitors compliance.
• Develops, implements, and monitors plans, procedures, and techniques to ensure compliance to promote positive client outcomes related to child safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Oversees direct delivery of the region's support programs by monitoring the scope, content and quality of services in accordance with program and agency policy.

Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities.
• Develops, implements, and monitors priorities and standards to ensure agency goals and strategies related to child safety, permanency and well-being are met are met.
• Evaluates regional activities to ensure agency goals and strategies related to child safety, permanency and well-being are met.

Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.
• Active and cooperative partner, under the direction of the CPS Regional Director, with community stakeholders including, but not limited to:
o child and family advocacy organizations, law enforcement, faith-based organizations, health care and other service providers, children, youth and families.
• Represents the designated CPS region on various boards, task forces, and committees, as needed.
• Acts as subject matter expert and provides internal and external stakeholders with program information, as needed.

Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies.
• Reviews and approves regional program management, productivity, and financial reports and studies.

Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance.
• Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance to promote child safety, permanency and well-being.
• Takes appropriate actions, under the direction of the CPS Regional Director, to ensure that any recommendations made are appropriately addressed.
• Advises the CPS Regional Director on issues related to program support.
May develop and oversee the implementation of long-range and short-term plans.
• Collaborates with the CPS Regional Director, to develop and oversee the implementation of long- and short-term plans to promote the agency goals and objectives.

Supervises the work of others.
• Creates and maintains a work environment that supports high performing teams, retention of staff, learning, and continuous improvement.
• Maintains a stable, well-trained, motivated, and dedicated staff under the direction of the CPS Regional Director.
• Responsible for all aspects of staff development, including the program's use of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisals. Responsible for the development, support, and guidance of all staff. Responsible for the selection, training, support, development, and monitoring of the regional management team.
• Responsible for timely and appropriate communication to field staff and to the Director of Field and other state office staff as well as accurate reporting on the status and progress of Investigation operations in the region.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to program activities and/or business functions; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Knowledge of program planning and implementation.
Knowledge of agency policies, procedures and regulations.
Knowledge of processes involved in developing and implementing new policies/practice changes, performance measures and monitoring for effective change.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business
strategy.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill in collaboration and problem solving.
Skill in handling multiple tasks, prioritizing and meeting deadlines.
Skill in exercising sound judgment and effective decision making.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Ability to direct and organize program activities and/or business functions; to establish goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and
implement effective solutions; to develop and evaluate policies and procedures; to prepare
reports; to communicate effectively.
Ability to work cooperatively with others in a professional office environment
Ability to effectively navigate difficult situations (including complex cases).
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
Ability to develop and analyze special projects.
Ability to supervise the work of others.
Ability to travel locally and across the state as needed.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

• 5 years full time child placing experience as a worker or above in a private or state agency. Experience must include managerial professional or technical work which must include analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material or planning, organizing and coordination requirements for support services or program operation where a wide range of demands are involved including interpretation of complex written material.

Acceptable Substitutions:

• 5 years full-time experience as a Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services Supervisor or above in any of the Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services programs - Adult Protective Services, Child Protective Services, Statewide Intake or Child Care Licensing Programs may be substituted for the required child-placing experience as a worker or above in a private or state agency.

Additional Information:

N/A

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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.

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.