Program Specialist VII

Program Specialist VII

The Program Specialist VII will report to the CPS Deputy Director of Field and will perform highly advanced project management aimed at placement stabilization for children in DFPS conservatorship.

The Program Specialist VII will be responsible for project managing large scale initiatives that involve coordinating and leading large interdisciplinary teams while coordinating resources and building connections with community support systems for the benefit of our youth and caregivers.

The Program Specialist VII will coordinate internal and external resources to stabilize placements for youth at risk of placement disruption, schedule and facilitate regular team project meetings, identify and ensure relevant subject matter experts are involved, identify, assign, and track action items, and ensure accountability to all goals and deliverables across the team.

The Program Specialist VII is responsible for project tracking, analysis of data, and regular reporting of project goals and updates, both written and verbal, to DFPS leadership for continuous program improvement.

Program Specialist VII will serve as the subject matter expert for the project(s) they manage, the liaison between internal and external stakeholders, and may serve as a lead providing direction to others.

Program Specialist VII works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

Plans, prioritizes, and performs of a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessments, and administrative activities for assigned program(s) including overseeing the delivery of services; provides high-level technical assistance for a program; and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.

Defining project implementation methods, deliverables, and timeframes.

Develops workflows, procedures, and guidelines.

Coordinating and leading cross-divisional teams, with internal and external stakeholders.

Leads the implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.

Coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports.

Completes and monitors required administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects; and recommends appropriate changes to programs.

Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and takes corrective action(s) as needed.

Develops and implements effective techniques for evaluating agency programs, identifies the need for new programs or change to existing programs, and provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.

Performs and/or oversees studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations.

Analyzes legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding; and assists in responding to legislative and external inquiries and requests.

Speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program(s) and to secure support for program(s).

Consults with public and private agencies involved in programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.

Prepares and evaluates program budget requests.

Assists management with developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals; and planning program activities in accordance with program objective and goals.

May coordinate and implement risk and compliance activities.

May serve as a lead providing direction to others.

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.

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

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 serve as a lead providing direction to others.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:

N/A Initial Selection Criteria:

Experience in a field related to the agency program. 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.

Experience in project management, meeting facilitation, and working with children and families involved in the child welfare system. Additional Information:

Majority of this work will be remote, however the employee may be required to travel to local or state offices for meetings. MOS Code:

N/A

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.