TARE Administrator

Job Description:

CPS TARE Prog Spec V

This position serves as a Subject Matter Expert for the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE). This position reports to the Division Administrator for Foster/Adoption Development (FAD) and Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC). TARE is a CPS web-based application that helps match children awaiting adoption with adoptive parent(s). The TARE Specialist is responsible for overseeing the TARE website and application, ensuring compliance with requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures and for effectively planning, reviewing the work of regional staff prior to posting on TARE. This position is also responsible for web development of the TARE website in coordination with the DFPS Communications division. The Specialist is responsible for working with and speaking to community partners to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the TARE program and to secure support for local programs. This includes collaborating with public and private agencies involved in the program to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. The Specialist serves as the Subject Matter Expert for TARE during legislative session, inquiries and for other CPS Divisional needs. The TARE Specialist evaluates national trends and keeps abreast of current practices related to photo listing. The position includes data analysis, organization, executive report writing, collaborating on Memorandum of Understandings (MOU) and presentations related to TARE policy and requests for information. This position works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position works closely with the other program specialists on the team and may be cross trained on ICPC. This position may require work outside normal business hours.

Essential Job Functions:

This position is responsible for developing, implementing, and guiding policy and procedures related to the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange (TARE). The Specialist is responsible for developing policy and procedure manuals as well as providing guidance to regional staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures. Work involves providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. The Specialist is responsible for development and implementing effective techniques for evaluating the TARE program including analyzing the application. This position is responsible for analyzing data sets and preparing reports and making recommendation on findings related to analysis of problems with TARE. The Specialist develops actions plans to improve the program. The Specialist oversees the studies and analysis of operations and problems, determines trends, and resolves operational problems. Specialist is responsible for collecting, organizing, analyzing, and preparing material in response to requests for information and reports related to TARE. This position oversees the completion and monitoring of required tasks within TARE and recommends appropriate changes. This specialist regularly interacts with Regional CPS staff, community partners, and professional individuals or groups as needed. Specialist provides guidance to regional TARE coordinators in the creation and development of TARE profiles and photos and ensures compliance with TARE requirements, laws, regulations, policies and procedures.
Specialist develops or assists with development of webpages to support Heart Gallery. Specialist responds to inquiries from prospective adoptive families interested in fostering or adopting as well as manages general questions from the community. Specialist monitors responses to families from regional staff to ensure timeliness when responding to TARE inquiries and assists with maintaining social media accounts: Facebook and Instagram. Specialist develops and maintains good working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and serves as a liaison between Community Based Care agencies as it relates to TARE functions. Specialist performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain TARE operations, and attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. This position will include other duties as assigned which may include projects and essential job tasks as need to support the team, Division, and State Office.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None.  

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of TARE and applicable rules, laws, policy, and procedures. Knowledge about the CPS Adoption Program and applicable rules, laws, policy, and procedures. Skilled in the TARE application and knowledge of adoption recruitment, photo listing, and developing strength-based profiles for children awaiting adoption. Skilled in training and presenting information to DFPS staff and community stakeholders regarding TARE in addition to presenting information to DFPS staff and community stakeholders about new legislation, current laws, policies and procedures, changes in contract language, procedures or processes. Skilled in meeting timelines, communication, team collaboration, and multi-tasking job responsibilities. Ability to understand, write, and interpret policy and procedure related to TARE. Ability to prioritize work tasks, mentor others, and effectively and professionally communicate with internal and external stakeholder, colleagues, and leadership. Experience with related software and applications including Dreamweaver, Photoshop, and Adobe Pro. Ability to evaluate existing TARE practices, ability to identify trends or barriers, and the ability to make recommendations for improvement. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, early childhood education, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred.

Direct experience may be substituted for education.

• Two years current experience in Child Welfare, preferably in CPS Foster/Adoption Development or Adoption and Adoption Recruitment

• Experience in photo listing, adoption recruitment, writing and developing strength-based profiles for children awaiting adoption.

• Current experience working on the child-specific side of TARE as a professional, or previous experience working on the child-specific side of TARE in the past two years as a professional.  

Additional Information:

1. Applicants who fail to follow the written instructions in completing the State of Texas Employment Application may be disqualified.

2. PLEASE NOTE: Your application must be complete. It MUST contain dates of employment, job titles, name of employer, name of supervisor, current/final salary, and a description of duties in a way that demonstrates you meet the initial selection criteria at minimum. Missing information may lead to disqualification.

3. RESUMES DO NOT TAKE THE PLACE OF THE REQUIREMENT TO INCLUDE THIS INFORMATION ON THE APPLICATION (“See Resume” is not acceptable on the application). Resumes attached and/or pasted into the resume field may not be considered equivalent to the State Application. Information on application must clearly state how applicant meets initial selection criteria in the summary of experience section of the application.

4. **PLEASE NOTE: The posted salary range is the full range for this position. Agency salary policy, budget and candidate’s qualifications will dictate final salary offer. Typically, salary offers are at or near the midpoint of the range, depending on qualifications or other factors.** Internal applicants are encouraged to check the HR manual for any potential changes to their current salary.

5. This position’s ability to telework will be determined by agency and division telework policies and will be required to come into the officea minimum of three days a week as directed, to fulfill essential job functions.

6. Flexibility in work hours may be required for this position. The position may be required to work overtime and/or extended hours.

7. Note: Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship.

Any employment offer is contingent upon available budgeted funds. The offered salary will be determined in accordance with budgetary limits and the requirements of HHSC Human Resources Manual.

***This position can be filled anywhere in the state where there is office availability.***