Manager III - Child Care Investigations

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.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The position reports directly to the Field Division Administrator and performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services, technical assistance, and supervisory work, across multiple regions in the state. Work involves coordinating, assigning, and providing consultative oversight to assigned CCI units.  The units are abuse/neglect investigation units responsible for investigating abuse, neglect, and exploitation allegations and law violations in child care operations and homes. This position is responsible for ensuring that staff are evaluating child safety and ongoing risks impacting the children’s safety and taking appropriate investigation actions to mitigate safety and risks concerns. The position must employ good management practices including utilization of quality assurance reports, program metrics, case reviews, and other management systems to ensure work is done timely, accurately, and promotes good practice.  Including the management of case analysis, travel, time and leave, case assignment, conferences, personnel, positive performance, and educational reference for regional management. The position will be responsible for evaluating the effectiveness of supervisory staff and providing supports for optimal performance of investigation units.  While ensuring that supervisors and units are carrying out program goals and objectives, the position must work with staff to encourage and support professional development. The position may present at conferences, provider meetings, and for other outside groups or internal trainings.

Work involves establishing goals and objectives; developing guidelines, procedures, and policies; developing schedules, priorities, and standards for achieving established goals; coordinating and evaluating business function, division, and department activities. Supervises the work of others. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. This position must be able to work independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate independent judgment and initiative.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

Plans and manages staff in a large geographic area to achieve program objectives for service delivery by monitoring investigation activities and working with supervisory staff.

Provides review and consultation on complex, sensitive, or high profile investigations and staff issues.

Monitors the content and quality of investigative work and supervision to ensure compliance with program and agency goals.

Evaluates performance through case readings, quality assurance and other statistical reports, staffing conferences, and observation of staff.

Promotes growth and development of management and direct delivery staff.

Selects, manages, evaluates, and develops staff in compliance with administrative policies, procedures, and practices.

Develops and implements expectations and guidelines to carry out the program goals, agency mission, statute, and rules that govern the program area.

Consults, advises, and collaborates with other governmental agencies, community organizations, the general public, and other agency staff.

Attends CCI supervisor meetings, management team meetings, and other meetings and conferences to assist in planning, coordinating, supervising, and administering the CCI program.

Serves on committees and workgroups, both internal and external.

Makes presentations and participates in community awareness and related activities to inform the general public about the CCI program.

Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain operations and support a quality program.

Promotes, monitors, and ensures that respect is demonstrated for cultural diversity.

Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge and experience in child care investigations, child care regulation, child protective investigations and the applicable policy, laws, and rules.

Skill and experience at utilizing and promoting effective management practices.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships both internally and externally.

Skill in planning and problem solving.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Ability to use independent judgment and work independently.

Ability to plan, direct, and assign responsibilities and supervises the work of others in a large geographic area.

Ability to motivate and develop effective teams.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities and meet deadlines. 

REGISTRATIONS, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS OR CERTIFICATIONS

May require registration, certification, or licensure in a specialty area

INITIAL SCREEN CRITERIA

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

•       Three (3) years full-time employment experience supervisory work experience in DFPS as a Child Protective Investigations, Child Protective Services, or a closely related child placing or investigative unit.

•       Professional experience may substitute for the required education on a year for year basis with maximum substitution of four (4) years.

Additional Information:

This position can be housed in any of these 2 counties: Dallas and Tarrant

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.