Program Specialist V

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance —at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Functional Title: Program Specialist V
Job Title: Program Specialist V
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Region 7 CPS Dir Del - PS
Posting Number: 20983
Closing Date: 09/18/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Protective Services
Salary Range: $4,523.16- $7,253.83
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21
Shift: Day
Additional Shift:
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 45%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: AUSTIN
Job Location Address: 14000 SUMMIT DR
Other Locations:
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description:

Performs advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work within the CPS with a primary focus of supporting and leading placement teamwork and child watch related to child in Region 7 for DFPS. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing and providing consultative services and technical assistance to executive and program level staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This job requires weekly overtime in the evenings and weekends to ensure proper response and support to all thing DFPS Supervision, also known as Child Watch.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Performs an array of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities as the primary lead for child watch in the region.
• Coordinates and collaborates with executive and program staff in program planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of the reporting, initiatives and strategies.
• Develops and/or documents the regional compliance requirements, legal requirements, state/federal regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Primary lead to internal and external stakeholders, executive management policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to youth without placement or at high risk of being without placement.
• Builds working relationships with community placement agencies, community shelters, non-profit groups, and DFPS executive and program staff to promote youth placement options.
• Collaborates with internal and external stakeholders a group to secure placement options for youth.
• As options are identified for placement through regional efforts, evaluates the effectiveness of the outreach, the sustainability of placements, and the sustainability of the process.
• Analyzes and revises program efforts to direct improvements to placements.
• Collaborates with HHSC licensing, current CPAs, community shelters, DFPS program staff, and the state court system to determine barriers to placements, if there are policies or laws to evaluate, and how to address systemic barriers to youth without placement or at risk of being without placement.
• Collaborates with HHSC licensing, current CPAs, community shelters, DFPS program staff, and the state court system to determine barriers to placements, if there are policies or laws to evaluate, and how to address systemic barriers, develop improvements, and efficiencies for youth without placement.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Analyzes legislative recommendations or requirements to develop and recommend to executive management budgetary requirements to meet agency goals
• Collects data and studies to analyze youth without placement strategies and initiatives.
• Prepares and develops reports documenting findings and recommendations for improvements to agency procedures and policies.
• Collects and analyzes data as it relates to children in the office without placement to determine barriers and inform the of such findings to work through solutions
• Prepares and develops reports documenting findings, recommendations, and agency procedures and policies.
• Reviews program operations to identify agency deficiencies.
• As a lead in the region collaborating with youth in child watch and providers, this position will provide guidance to staff, facilitate meetings, and potentially guide DFPS executive and program staff with innovative ways to break down barriers identified.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Must have four (4) years of full-time consultative, social service, or professional experience in interpretation of complex written materials of Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
• Current CPS employee is preferred
• Experience in CPS or human services work is preferred.

Additional Information:

This position reports to CPS Regional Director Natalie Taylor.

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 View email address on aiapply.co with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

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: .

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 View phone number on aiapply.co. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.