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Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Program Specialist V

Dept of Family & Protectve Svc, Houston, Texas, United States, 77246


Job Description:Program Specialist V

The CPS Regional Contracts Program Specialist V position reports to the Region 6 Contract Program Director and performs advanced (senior-level) consultative and technical assistance work to support the CPS Program with purchased direct client services and support services. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing agency initiatives related to the CPS regional contract and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, other support areas, child and family service providers, local governmental entities, and the general public. The position provides guidance and general communication to ensure coordination with and advancement of CPS contracted services goals and objectives. The position serves on cross-functional teams and work groups, provides subject matter expertise, and supports project management on key contract procurement, management, and monitoring projects that impact CPS program. The position will oversee the procurement planning, contracting and change management process for the local governmental entity contracts and other complex contracts as assigned. This position will develop tools and facilitate consultation with internal and external stakeholders to identify needs and discuss program and contract effectiveness. The position collects, organizes, analyzes, and/or prepares materials in response to requests for program information and reports. This position will assist with recommendations and planning of program improvement initiatives. This position disseminates to CPS program and contract staff general communications as well as information related to various contractor performance initiatives and contracting opportunities. This position may train, lead, and/or prioritize the work of others and assists with the implementation plans for new or revised contracting policies. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Essential Job Functions:***Provides consultative services and analyses to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of program and contract strategies and initiatives and makes recommendations for improvement. Serves as a CPS Regional Contract subject matter expert, and offers guidance, consultation and technical assistance to agency staff and internal and external stakeholders to foster effective program service delivery. (15%)***Plans, develops, and implements procurement planning, contract development and execution, and change management, and quality assurance activities. This position would manage at least 7 different contracts all for different services with the same legal entity, in addition to other contracts as assigned. This position would need to track and plan for new procurement. This position requires that the contract manager work directly with county commissioner, county auditors, and judges who must sign the contracts and approve the detailed budgets. Quality assurance activities include managing the billing and payments for these high dollar cost-reimbursement contracts. (15%)***Performs a variety of research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for assigned program(s) to ensure service level expectations are met and contractor compliance with programmatic, fiscal and administrative requirements of the contract. (10%)***Develops and disseminates reports, conducts presentations, and attends meetings with internal and external stakeholders to discuss contractor performance and make recommendations to improve services provided to DFPS children and families. Performs studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations. Assist in determining program statistics and trends, and resolves operational problems. (20%)***Conducts onsite monitoring and evaluates contractor efficiency and effectiveness with meeting agency program and project goals. Prepares monitoring reports of findings and recommendations for contractor administrative, programmatic, and fiscal compliance. This position would be required to follow-up on recommendations and correct actions as required. (15%)***Conducts training and provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new or revised contracting policies and procedures. This position would work directly with their supervisor to help them develop implementation of new and revised contracting policies and procedures. This position would provided training to contract managers as requested by their direct supervisor. (15%)***Represents CPS Regional Contracts by attending community meetings and cross-divisional meetings on contracting capacity, service array, and service level expectations for contracted services. Consults with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. (10%)***Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:Knowledge of state and federal contracting laws and policies.•Knowledge of the contract management cycle, such as procurement, new application assessments, ongoing contract management and fiscal and programmatic monitoring.•Knowledge of contract procurement, monitoring and management.•Knowledge of or ability to learn about Child Protective Services.•Knowledge Skill in project and strategic management.•Skill in policy interpretation, associated procedures and business writing.•Skill in effective verbal and written communication.•Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.•Ability to approach problems critically and analytically•Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.•Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.•Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities and oversee the work of others.•Ability to present information at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings.•Ability to develop written reports and materials suitable for specific audiences including community members, contractors, internal staff, executive staff, and legislators.•Ability to plan and develop training programs•Ability to manage program activities, including development of goals and objectives and quality assurance processes.•Ability to develop and evaluate administrative policies and procedures and to devise solutions to administrative problems.•Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze large amounts of information.•Ability to analyze complex issues, draw valid conclusions, and make recommendations.•Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:Certified Texas Contract Manager or Certified Texas Contract Developer designation required. Must be current on continued education requirements and provide verification upon DFPS request.

Initial Selection Criteria:Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in Accounting, Business, Finance, or a related field. Three years of full-time, professional experience in contract management, procurement, monitoring, auditing or a related field. Additional relevant experience can be substituted for each year of required education.

Additional Information:Requisition # 621940

Travel:25%

MOS Code:Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk here .

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.