Deputy Director II
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Deputy Commissioner reports to the Commissioner and performs highly advanced (senior-level) policy administration and managerial work. Work involves strategic planning, state agency administration, and working closely with the DFPS Commissioner on the day-to-day operations of the agency or oversees multiple large departments and divisions. Supervises the work of others including staff at the executive level and/or management level. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:
Directs the day-to-day operations of the agency, which may include the agency’s financial and budget activities and other operational or programmatic activities; or oversees major, complex, and functionally related areas organized into multiple departments and/or divisions by:

Establishing and maintaining the governance processes as a member of the senior management team, assisting the Commissioner and other DFPS executive team members in developing plans and specific activities to accomplish visionary concepts outlined by the Commissioner.

Working closely with the Commissioner on the day-to-day operations in providing vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the department in program administration, operations, and budget decision-making processes.

Providing a full range of strategic systems support to agency leadership and coordinating related efforts within department’s programs to further the department’s mission of promoting safe and healthy families and protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Establishing that the scope of this position spans across all the department’s programs and divisions.

Directs the preparation of agency policies, procedures, reports, and studies by:

Providing overall program vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the DFPS executive team and all the department’s programs and divisions.

Providing information and counsel to DFPS executive team members and leadership on trends and their impact.

Establishing goals and objectives; developing and implementing strategic plans; policy development; performance monitoring; and executive level reporting.

Overseeing the planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of the department's policies and procedures.

Directs and approves the preparation of the budget; and determines long-range budgetary plans agency wide or for several departments and/or divisions by:

Coordinating the development of the department's budget and Legislative Appropriations Request process in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Division Directors.

Directing fiscal management including budgeting and funds management for the department.

Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the agency are appropriate by:

Performing highly advanced management and oversight activities for department operations.

Assessing and directing the organization of the department's functions to meet necessary service levels.

Retaining a general awareness of major initiatives for the division and identify interdependencies between projects as well as existing policy and processes.

Provides strategic direction and approves operational and staff resources for departments and/or divisions by:

Assuring the coordination and consistency of strategic planning and policy development within the department.

Providing a full range of strategic systems support to the department and coordinating related efforts within the department’s programs and divisions to further the agency's mission in promoting safe and healthy families and protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

Provides information, advice, and counsel to the Commissioner and other executives and management in the planning, development, and operation of agency services; and keeps the Commissioner informed on the status and progress of operations in major departments or divisions and/or across the agency by:

Carrying forward the direction of the Commissioner to assist DFPS leadership and program staff in addressing complex issues.

Providing direction to DFPS leadership and program staff on behalf of the Commissioner.

Reviewing, on a regular basis, reports and tracking completion of goals and informs the Commissioner of progress.

Advising and providing counsel to the Commissioner on a wide range of complex issues related to the department.

Provides information and advice to state agencies and the general public regarding agency activities and responsibilities by:

Reporting on and communicating with internal and external entities on the functions of the department, and matters affecting department programs, clients, and daily operations.

Advising a variety of stakeholders and audiences of pertinent and essential information related to the department.

Participates in the planning of strategic initiatives; and manages and/or oversees projects and special initiatives by:

Being directly involved in addressing operational, administrative, policy, legislative and legal aspects of all DFPS programs and divisions.

Providing input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of priorities.

Managing and coordinating strategic initiatives for the department, including research, analysis, project management, decision-making, stakeholder engagement, and communications.

Assisting in defining focus and scope of initiatives, supporting communications across programs and divisions, and assisting in escalating items requiring executive level decisions.

Participates in activities related to the legislative process including conferring with the Commissioner to determine policy and legislative priorities; and oversees the implementation of legislative changes by:

Representing the Commissioner in activities and meetings with staff, elected state and federal officials and their staff, and other external entities.

Providing information and testifying at hearings and other meetings with the Legislative Budget Board, the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and other elected officials.

Representing the department by making presentations, providing information and testimony to the department’s executive team, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other groups and organizations regarding the department's programs.

Overseeing and reviewing the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on the department’s policies and procedures, relating to program operations, and implementation.

Managing legislative affairs, in close coordination with Government Relations, which address statewide and department goals, objectives, and mission, in coordination with other program areas, outside entities, and other interested parties.

Confers with board members, organization officials, and staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities, and resolve problems by:

Responding to and communicating on a regular basis with members of the department's Council.

Consulting with the department Council, executive team members and other DFPS leadership regarding the management and operation of the department.

Collaborating in public meetings to gather input on the department’s program and initiatives, study important issues, and develop new ways to better serve the vulnerable citizens of Texas.

Reviews and analyzes agency operations to evaluate the performance of the agency and to identify areas of potential program modifications and improvements by:

Reviewing and evaluating regular business reports and tracking completion of goals, including identifying the need to address areas of concern that may be impeding success to achieve programmatic goals.

Promoting the agency to acquire and maintain quality contracted services and providing program divisions with performance data and support to proactively improve outcomes.

Ensures that the agency adheres to agency goals, objectives, and strategies.

Analyzing federal and state regulations and legislation, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data on a regular basis to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance.

Ensuring that resources are acquired appropriately and implemented effectively in compliance with regulations and agency policies.

Represents the agency at meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons; and may provide testimony before legislative committees by:

Providing input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of those priorities.

Attending and participating in meetings by represents the department with federal partners, legislators, and external stakeholders.

May assist in identifying and managing strategic risks by:

Collaborating with the Commissioner and executive team member to establish goals, processes, and objectives to identify, analyze and monitor strategic risk that impact the department to ensure successful outcomes.

Reviewing input and reports, daily, regarding strategic risk and notifying the Commissioner

May act as Commissioner in the absence of the Commissioner by:

Acting as and representing the Commissioner in his/her absence.

Supporting the Commissioner and ensuring that decisions made by this position directly reflect those of the Commissioner

May oversee preparation, negotiation, and implementation of consultant and interagency contracts, agreements, memoranda of understanding, and related documents by:

Reviewing and approving documents on behalf of the Commissioner to include memoranda, audit management responses, contracted vendor audits, interagency agreements, contracts, findings and corrective actions, external communications, responses to legislative and media requests, and reports.

Supervises the work of others, including staff at the executive level and/or management level by:

Supervising managers and staff persons including hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave.

Directing human resource management functions, assuring the employment of staff with appropriate organizational and management skills to carry out the mission of the department.

Performs related work as assigned by:

Performing other duties as delegated by the Commissioner.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations; business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques; accounting, budgeting, and financial principles; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Knowledge and understanding of DFPS strategic priorities; and evaluation of priorities to provide staff direction and decision making
Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals for operation of a larger and/or complex state government organization; decision-making at an executive level, including assessing risk and using good judgement to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership; and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct program activities and/or business functions; to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan; to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions; to oversee the development and implementation of agency policies and procedures; to prepare concise reports; to make presentations and testify at hearings; to communicate effectively; and to supervise the work of others.
Ability to manage high complexity and priority cross-divisional projects.
Ability to exercise sound judgement in making independent decisions that directly reflect those of the Commissioner regarding appropriate information to be shared within communications to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
Ability to work across areas with a variety of staff and subject matter experts in a respectful way that fosters creative, solution-oriented thinking.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
N/A

Initial Selection Criteria:
Minimum of 5 years of relevant government, consulting, or social work industry experience with 2+ years working with senior/executive leadership.
Related bachelor’s degree preferred but years of relevant work experience will be considered in determining most qualified candidate.

Additional Information:

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.

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.