Appeals Resolution Specialist

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.  

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Functional Title: Appeals Resolution Specialist 
Job Title: Appeals Resolution Specialist 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Resolution Specialists 
Posting Number: 11608 
Closing Date: 02/02/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Community and Social Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Salary Range: $4,801.17 - $7,761.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: LAKE WORTH 
Job Location Address: 3800 ADAM GRUBB STE 300 
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: 5805,5813,5819,5821,5822,7596,8012,14N,14NX,183X,1D7X1,1N0X1,1S0X1,250X,311A,31A,31B,31D,31PX,351L 
351M,35A,35L,35M,3E7X1,3P0X1,43HX,4B0X1,4E0X1,5I0,649X,683X,71SX,749X,783X,89D,89E,EOD,INV,IS,IV,LN 
MA,ME,MLES,MSSD,MSSE,MSSR,MST,OAP12,OAP14 
 

Job Description:    The Appeals Resolution Specialist (ARS) performs Administrative Reviews of Investigation Findings (ARIF) conducted by Child Protective Investigations (CPI). This position performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services, advisory and technical assistance work. Work involves interpreting local, state and federal statutes, as well as agency policies and procedures related to child abuse, neglect and exploitation investigations. Work also involves effective coordination and communication to ensure efficient delivery of services to the public, contracted service providers, community organizations, governmental agencies, and Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) staff. The ARS works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent critical judgement.  
 
Essential Job Functions:    Oversees and conducts administrative reviews in accordance with agency rules, policies and practices.
Assists in development and implementation of policies, procedures and best practices within the Office of Appeals without disruption to delivery of agency program services.
Collects, reviews and analyzes ARIF findings to identify trends and patterns to enhance CPI investigation practices.
May serve as a witness and testify at State Office of Administrative Hearings.
Acts as subject matter expert and routinely interacts with DFPS agency staff and other internal stakeholders, protective services clients, external stakeholders, attorneys, legislative offices, and the general public.
Develops training materials/presentations and provides training to DPFS agency staff and external stakeholders as requested.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and represents the Office of Appeals/DFPS in a professional manner.
Performs other related duties as assigned to maintain unit operations.
 
 
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:    None  
 
Knowledge Skills Abilities:    Knowledge of DFPS policy and procedure, and local, state, and federal law related to abuse, neglect and exploitation of children.
Knowledge of case management principals, standards and methods; complaint resolution techniques and best practices.
Knowledge of child development and family dynamics to include domestic violence, substance use, mental health or other identified high-risk factors.
Skilled in assessing and analyzing information as it relates to abuse, neglect and exploitation involving children to determine investigation findings in accordance with applicable state law and agency policy.
Skilled in critical thinking.
Skilled in verbal and written communication to include oral presentations and/or trainings.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and meet competing deadlines.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, agency staff, and community stakeholders.
Ability to analyze reports and produce comprehensive and professional reports regarding findings.
 
 
Initial Screening Criteria:    Graduation from high school or equivalent.
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Three years’ experience in CPI, Child Care Investigations (CCI), Alternative Response (AR) Special Investigations (SI) or closely related program.

Preferred Qualifications:

Five years of full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which includes: analysis or work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material. Experience must be in DFPS Investigations - CPI, CCI, AR or SI.
 

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.