Appeals Cross Function Specialist

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: Appeals Cross Function Specialist 
Job Title: Appeals Resolution Specialist 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Resolution Specialists 
Posting Number: 8390 
Closing Date: 09/05/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 
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: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: LUBBOCK 
Job Location Address: 1622 10TH ST 
Other Locations: Austin; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; 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: 31B, 31D, EOD, 401, 5819, 71S, P12A, P02A, 023, 42P, 001497, 401, 333021, 7S0 
 
 
 

Job Description: Appeals Cross Function Specialist

The Office of Appeals (OOA) Cross Function Specialist (CFS) performs Administrative Reviews of Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Care Investigations (CCI). 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 all internal and external stakeholders. The CFS works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent critical judgement. 

Essential Job Functions:   

Oversee and conduct CPI and CCI legal sufficiency reviews and CCI desks reviews of department investigations alleging abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in a family or child care settings in accordance with agency rules, policies, and procedures.

Assist in development and implementation of policies, procedures, best practice and professional development training materials.

Serve as an OOA subject matter expert, offer guidance, consultation and technical assistance to agency staff and external stakeholders to foster and enhance effective partnerships.

Act as a liaison to DFPS Legal Services-Administrative Hearings Unit. Track review requests, monitor workflow, and prepare ad-hoc reports related to legal sufficiency and desk reviews.

As needed, testify at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH).     

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 principles, standards, and methods; complaint resolution techniques and best practices.

Knowledge of child development and family dynamics include domestic violence, substance use, mental health, or other identified high-risk factors.

Skill 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.

Skill in verbal and written communication to include oral presentations and/or training.

Ability to think critically to identify strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to workflow problems.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and 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 Texas DFPS child protective investigations or child care investigations.

One year minimum Texas DFPS experience conducting administrative reviews of investigation findings.

Supervisory experience in child protective investigations or child-care investigations is preferred but not required.

Preferred Qualifications: Office of Appeals experience within the year.

Additional Information:

This is a state-wide posting. Position may be filled at any DFPS regional location based on the most qualified candidate.

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.