Program Specialist III

The Child Protective Services (CPS) Legal Support Specialist performs complex (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May provide guidance to others. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions:

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Performs an array of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities related to program assignment.

• Trains DFPS/Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) staff by developing curriculum and training materials, conducts the training seminars, keeps staff informed of changes in the Texas Family Code, DFPS, and SSCC policy.

• Facilitates and expedites conservatorship cases to permanency through the legal system within the parameters of the Texas Family Code, as well as DFPS and SSCC policy guidelines.

• Facilitates compliance efforts through monitoring legal status in IMPACT, enters corrections, creates reports, gathers court orders to substantiate changes in legal status.

• Completes administrative and technical activities such as drafting legal documents, producing Discovery, and monitoring the completion of statutorily required tasks through the utilization of available systems to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Texas Family Code and program practices.

• Performs research activities to support Discovery through historical analysis and case mining for relevant information supporting the arguments of the case.

Performs comprehensive reviews of literature, statutes, rules, and/or policies; and prepares administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.

• Analyzes affidavits to ensure adequate evidence regarding child safety and the urgent need of protection by requesting legal interview that results in removal of the child from the home, court ordered participation in services, or the ability to investigate concerns of abuse or neglect.

• Prepares, reviews, and interprets court orders and other court findings or directives.

• Reviews and prepares requests for service of citation, subpoenas, inquires, Discovery (interrogatories, production, admissions, and disclosures), and other activities.

• Prepares studies and specialized research projects as required to compliment Discovery efforts and improve best practice between agency program and legal divisions.

• Conducts quality assurance analysis of accuracy of legal status of youth in IMPACT

• Prepares reports for compliance purposes as it relates to the legal status of youth in care. Coordinates improving data accuracy and makes recommendations for process improvements.

Collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of an agency program.

• Prepares cases for hearings or trials through coordination with the representing attorney to ensure all required actions and tasks are completed to present the Department's case to the court.

• Collaborates with DFPS/SSCC staff to ensure documentation of legal actions and tasks have been completed.

• Analyzes court and DFPS/SSCC case files to ensure program staff are prepared for upcoming legal events.

• Collaborates in the planning and implementation of processes impacting critical tasks to enhance outcomes and efficacy within DFPS/SSCC programs.

Collaborates with program staff in determining trends and resolving technical problems.

• Identifies trends or areas of improvement and assists with developing solutions to ensure compliance with statutory requirements and program practices.

• Provides technical guidance within informational and data reporting systems utilized by program staff and the representing attorney.

• Routinely meets with executive and management teams to discuss additional opportunities to support the program.

• Collaborates with program staff and management to identify trends, solutions, and interventions to improve and monitor the completion of critical tasks and related data entry.

Serves as a liaison to staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public to explain and provide technical assistance on program specifics and requirements.

• Develops and maintains positive and constructive working relationships between DFPS and the Courts, representing attorneys, law enforcement agencies, SSCC partners, CASA, and other community partners with the intent to improve communications and form a collaborative relationship.

• Liaises with community partners, the courts, DFPS/SSCC staff, Advocacy Center staff, attorneys, CASA staff, Law Enforcement, Constables, witnesses, and other service providers by providing technical assistance and communicating program specifics and requirements when making requests for information and documentation that supports the legal case intervention.

• The position serves as the point of contact for program staff and community partners by providing technical assistance regarding DFPS/SSCC policies and program specific requirements as they relate to the legal processing of permanency status.

Conducts surveys and/or reviews to determine compliance with certification requirements, laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Reviews documentation to ensure compliance with state statutes, DFPS/SSCC policies, procedures, regulations, and compliance efforts regarding legal interventions by DFPS/SSCC to promote safety, permanency, and positive outcomes within legal cases.

• Analyzes and prepares TDFPS/SSCC case files and documentation to comply with the laws, regulations, and rules of the Discovery process.

• Facilitates, monitors, and verifies the completion of statutorily required tasks that ensure legal cases move towards outcomes timely.

Markets program(s) to community and professional groups to encourage and/or improve interest in the program(s).

• Educates and promotes the transition of the legacy program and practices to Community Based Care and SSCC operations within the general public.

• Communicates the DFPS mission to community partners interacting with or expressing interest in partnering with the agency.

• Attends meetings involving the legal community to increase knowledge and understanding of the program's role within child welfare cases.

Monitors, reviews, and evaluates compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules for assigned program.

• Monitors DFPS/SSCC recommendations to the court for consistency with the Texas Family Code and DFPS/SSCC policy and procedures.

• Monitors the entry of Legal Action and Status within the IMPACT system to comply with policies and procedures, as assigned within the program.

• Analyzes legislative bills to assist the program with plans to comply with potential statutory and policy changes.

Studies and analyzes operations and problems, prepares reports of findings and recommendations, and prepares justifications for the implementation of procedural or policy changes.

• Analyzes program procedures to assist with planning the implementation of DFPS policy changes and any compliance efforts.

• Studies program trends and potential barriers of implementation, prepares findings, and develops recommendations of improved practices.

• Serves as a subject matter expert and has knowledge of DFPS and SSCC operations to support program and SSCC staff in implementing changes that result in positive case outcomes.

Collects, organizes, analyzes, and/or prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports.

• Collects and analyzes informational data in preparation to meet court requirements.

• Requests, collects, organizes, and provides statutorily required information in response to Discovery.

• Creates and develops reports or tracking systems of completed tasks on legal cases to provide to program management and the representing attorney.

Reviews and evaluates information on service delivery system methods, outputs, and activities to identify gaps in resources and recommend improvements.

• Maintains communication with program staff, SSCC partners, and the representing attorney of legal case status or issues that potentially impact service delivery.

• Analyze client needs in conjunction with program staff to ensure appropriate resources are identified to achieve positive outcomes in a timely manner.

• Identifies process inefficiencies and makes recommendations for improved performance through analysis of service delivery system methods, outputs and activities.

• Seeks to identify available services that close resource gaps within the community and shares findings with program/SSCC staff.

Assists in analyzing legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic areas relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding.

• Analyzes legislative bills for fiscal impact on program operations and child welfare outcomes.

• Prepares responses to legislative inquiries regarding statutory or policy changes and the potential effect on expansion or reduction of program funding.

• Recommends solutions to operational problems and supports generalized outcomes for systems improvement.

Assists in preparing and evaluating program budget requests.

• Assists in monitoring expenditures related to legally required tasks or services and developing budget requests to meet the program need.

• Assists in identifying and preparing reports of justification for identified areas of need that impact the current program budget.

May recommend and coordinate activities to produce a more effective program.

• Studies program trends and identifies innovative methods to enhance program outcomes.

• Consults with caseworkers and supervisors regarding case practices that foster effective collaboration between divisions, programs, and with SSCC partners.

• Provides and interprets legal information that enables DFPS/SSCC staff in making responsible casework decisions.

May provide input on developing and/or revising policy and procedure manuals.

• Provides technical assistance in interpreting procedures, best practice, and laws that inform policy creation or revision.

• Reviews policy and seeks clarification regarding program practices to ensure consistent implementation and influence on decision making.

• Participates on workgroups that develop and revise procedures impacted by policy and statute changes.

May provide guidance to others.

• Routinely offers guidance to program/SSCC staff and the representing attorney through participation in case staffings, court hearings, mediations, pre-trial meetings, trials, and other legal discussions.

• Educates representing attorneys, judges, and the legal community regarding TDFPS/SSCC operational policy and procedures.

• Facilitates training, develops job aids, and provides tools for specific areas that additional guidance is identified and needed.

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws related to the program area; public administration and management techniques; statistical analysis processes; budget processes; research techniques; training and marketing techniques; and program management processes and techniques.

Knowledge of:

• Texas Rules of Civil Procedures and the Texas Family Code.

• Child Protective Investigations, Child Protective Services, and SSCC partner's policies, guidelines, and philosophy.

• The rules and procedures of Discovery.

• Basic legal documents regarding TDFPS/SSCC cases.

Skill in identifying measures or indicators of program performance and the use of a computer and applicable software.

Skills using/in:

• Microsoft Office Software including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.

• Information Management Protecting Adults and Children of Texas (IMPACT).

• Basic office equipment (fax machine, postage meter, copier, telephone system).

• Handling large workload and meeting deadlines.

• Establishing priorities and multitasking.

• Creating and maintaining effective tracking systems for critical task completion and case information.

• Utilizing leadership skills and administrative skills to provide support to agency staff, attorneys, and partners in the legal system.

• Establishing a physical and digital organized work environment.

• Working effectively with TDFPS/SSCC staff, the legal community, and the general public.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to market programs; to prepare reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; to communicate effectively; and to provide guidance to others.

Ability to:

• Create and maintain effective and professional relationships with a number of partner agencies.

• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.

• Manage time and large workload effectively with minimum direct supervision.

• Work effectively in highly energetic situations and environments.

• Be flexible in responding to emergency situations on a daily basis.

• Type and give attention to details.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

N/A Initial Selection Criteria:

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION

Initial Screening Criteria: Currently employed as a CPI/CPS Specialist III or above in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a CPI/CPS Specialist III or above in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR Graduation with a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, plus 18 consecutive months of full-time experience in Child Protective Services* in a public social services agency or non-profit.

• Child Protective Services defined as professional social work where primary duties are providing social casework services to abused, neglected, or exploited children and their families; or in recruiting, studying, and certifying foster and adoptive homes.

Preferred Criteria: Texas DFPS - Child Protective Services Substitute Care/Conservatorship experience of 12 or more months is preferred, but not required. Additional Information:

Applicants will not be considered for an interview if an application is submitted with insufficient details or information. All relevant work experience that shows the applicant meets the listed minimum qualifications is to be included.

As part of the complete interview process, each qualifying applicant considered for a face-to-face interview will meet with and observe a current Denton County Legal Liaison at the Courthouse prior to the face-to-face interview. The hiring manager reserves the right to alter this requirement due to circumstances, as needed. Details will be sent to the applicant from the hiring manager.

Physical Work Locations: Child Protection Services Office (535 S. Loop 288, Suite 2001, Denton, Texas 76205) and Denton County Courthouse (1450 E. McKinney St., Denton, Texas 76209).

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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 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.

MOS Code:

Note: Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to: 31D, 35L, 35M, 68X, 73A, 311A, 351L, 351M, HM, IS, NC, 183X, 230X, 683X, 783X, IV, MST, INV, ISS, OAP12, 0149, 5821, 5822, 5832, 1N0X1, 4C0X1, 4E0X1, 14NX, 42SX, 43HX, 71SX, 0868, 66C, 47L, 66R, 67D, L24A, 001387. All active duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk.

As a state agency, DFPS is required 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.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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 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.