Director, Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program

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 Director III works under the direction of the Community Based Care Operations Director for the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). The Community-Based Care Director III performs advanced (senior-level) managerial work providing direction and guidance in strategic operations and planning. 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 Director III will work with a lead entity to develop and implement a Community-Based Care pilot program in eligible rural regions. This work involves collaborating with a lead entity to establish a local community alliance of stakeholders; working with a lead entity and DFPS IT to determine the feasibility of an integrated case management system; and assisting a lead entity and independent evaluator to conduct a comprehensive post-implementation evaluation of the pilot program and develop an action plan to address any areas for improvement.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Directs program activities and/or business functions within a department or division.

• Oversees the management, coordination, and oversight of Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program contract activities through supervision of pilot contracting and program management staff.
• Directs, coordinates, facilitates, and maintains an organized and cohesive approach to the implementation of Community-Based Care Rural Program Pilot with a focus on stakeholder outreach in advance of, during, and after CBC catchment implementation.
• Works with lead entity to establish a Community Alliance to provide a forum for community participation and governance of Community-Based Care under the pilot program.

• Works with DFPS IT and the lead entity to determine the feasibility of an integrated case management system.

• Directs and is accountable for major program management decisions impacting Community Based Care Rural Pilot staff and agency resources.
• Works with Governor’s Office and Legislative offices to ensure that provisions of Rural Community-Based Care Pilot Program are implemented as required.

Oversees and/or prepares a division or department budget and reviews and approves major expenditures: and ensures that requirements of funding sources are met.

• Reviews and makes management decisions regarding Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program budget and staff allocation.
• Represents the pilot program in a leadership capacity on complex financial issues that cross agencies, divisions, and programs.
• Works with the CBC Finance Director to ensure funding models account for the additional costs of providing services to geographically dispersed populations in rural areas.
• Assists in the Request for Applications process to procure the lead entity and independent evaluator.

Oversees the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of reports.  

• Oversees the compilation and analysis, organization of the research results, and preparation and dissemination of reports for the division.
• Documents, routes, and tracks waiver applications and produces waiver reports, as appropriate.
• Evaluates results and provides direction in response to findings and studies to meet program and agency strategic goals.
• Evaluates results and provides direction in response to program modeling to achieve greater program efficiencies and agency goals.
• Leads the development and ensures timely completion of required legislative progress reports.

Develops and implements techniques for evaluating program activities and/or business functions within a department or division; and identifies need for changes.

• Oversees Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program by developing benchmark measures and conducting data review and analysis to evaluate contractor productivity and the quality of decision making.
• Implements continuous process improvement to ensure better procurement and contracting functions within the pilot and promote efficiency.
• Oversees the overall planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program policies to promote effective program administration and service delivery.

• Works with the lead contractor and independent evaluator to conduct a comprehensive post-implementation evaluation of the pilot program and develops an action plan to address any areas for improvement.

Develops and establishes goals and objectives consistent with the agency’s strategic plan.

• Develops and provides Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program staff with program vision, leadership, and strategic direction.
• Executes the Community Based Care Operations relevant portions of the DFPS strategic plan.
• Establishes and defines the metrics used to determine Community Based Care Operations’ performance as it relates to meeting its agency and legislative objectives.
• Provides feedback on pilot program trends and their impact.

Develops policies, procedures, and guidelines, and monitors compliance.

• Develops the policies and procedures for the Community Based Care Personnel and Contracting Manuals.
• Works with the lead entity to establish a formal process for resolving conflicts or disputes that arise related to the pilot program.
• Facilitates the change order request process between DFPS and the lead entity for proposed changes to the pilot program.
• Monitors compliance by reviewing appropriate efficiency/qualitative performance reports and regular communication with program staff regarding personnel matters.  
• Enforces compliance with all DFPS/Community Based Care work rules and standards of conduct through counseling and HR remedies.
• Ensures compliance by Community Based Care staff with the programmatic policies as developed by CBC Policy and Performance Management by overseeing the establishment of performance benchmarks.

Plans, develops, and approves schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving goals; and directs evaluation activities.

• Plans, develops, and approves schedules of Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program staff ensuring the greatest amount of coverage.
• Oversees and approves the schedule change process in Community Based Care Operations.
• Prioritizes and develops the project work, elevating those projects that most affect the Rural Pilot Program’s ability to meet its goals.
• Oversees the development of the Program Specialist VI and Contract Administrator I evaluation standards to ensure compliance with policy and procedures and alignment with achieving goals within Community Based Care.

Represents the agency at business meetings, hearings, trials, legislative sessions, conferences, and seminars or on boards, panels, and committees.

• Establishes a community alliance or similar group of stakeholders to provide a forum for community participation and governance for the legal entity to be comprised of members of the community including local representatives and the judiciary.

• Represents the Community Based Care Operations Director at external meetings and serves on committees, task forces and interagency workgroups as requested.
• Serves as the Community Based Care Operations representative at business meetings, negotiates, and oversees contracts for Community Based Care services and manages contractors.

• Represents the agency at hearings, trials, legislative sessions, and conferences.

• Works with elected officials, including the Office of the Governor and members of the Texas Legislature.
• Provides subject-matter expertise during testimony or other presentations.
• Provides information to the agency and internal and external stakeholders regarding CBC administration functions.

Reviews and approves management, productivity, and financial reports and studies.

• Develops legislative appropriation requests.
• Reviews and evaluates the impact of proposed federal and state laws on program operations.

• Reviews and approves management and productivity reports on the division’s output and accomplishments as it relates to the pilot program including contracts.
• Reviews and approves financial reports and fiscal documents to assessment and evaluate the compliance of the Rural Pilot Project Lead Entity.

Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, and modeling exercises to provide direction and guidance.

• Responsible for all aspects of staff development, including the program’s use of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisals.

• Reviews results of special investigations, internal audits, research studies, forecasts, modeling exercises, and reports as it relates to Community Based Care and provides direction and guidance.
• Conducts and provides guidance, planning, coordination, and assistance for Community Based Care projects, initiatives, and ongoing activities.

May develop and oversee the implementation of long-range and short-term plans.

• Develops short term and long-range plans for Community Based Care Rural Pilot Program and oversees the implementation of the plans.  
• Collaborates with the lead entity to develop a workforce development plan for addressing rural workforce challenges.

Supervises the work of others.

• Directly supervises staff.
• Hires, manages, and provides guidance and professional development for staff.
• Provides staff with work assignments, direction and information on responsibilities and work performance standards.
• Develops work performance plans and conducts performance evaluations, at least annually.
• Oversees the development and advancement of staff through training and effective use of employee development plans.
• Manages employee time and leave responsibilities, and all other required human resources activities with program staff.
• Provides leadership to employees using a performance management strategy and development process to provide an overall framework that encourages employee contribution, and includes goal setting, feedback, and performance development planning.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

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.

Skill in:

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals that support an overall business strategy.

Ability to:

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; and to supervise the work of others.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another on a year-for-year basis. Experience with Child Welfare or the Community Based Care program. Three years of experience in the management and direction of a program.

Preferred:

Experience with child welfare services in a rural community is preferred.

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.

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.