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.
Provides overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the department in the areas related to operations and support functions in coordination with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership.
Directs planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of agency operations and support functions and policies to promote innovation, best practices, effective program administration and service delivery.
Makes and is accountable for major support operation decisions, which impact agency operations statewide, other state agencies, and DFPS clients and resources.
Directs and manages the daily operations of the Operational Support Services, Purchased Client Services, Contract Oversight and Support, Workforce Development including Human Resources and Center for Learning and Organizational Excellence, and Records Management (operational support) teams of DFPS.
Directs and approves the preparation of the budget; determines long-range budgetary plans agency wide or for several departments and/or divisions.
Oversees the administration of the operations and support division’s budget and ensures effective and efficient delivery of services.
Determines long-range operational support budgetary plans by collaborating with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Financial Officer and DFPS executive leadership to determine critical resources necessary to promote agency goals and objectives, and to assist in development of the agency’s budget and Legislative Appropriations Request.
Assesses division resources and oversees the development of the COO budget in cooperation with the DFPS executive leadership.
Reviews and makes management decisions regarding budget and staff allocation for support operations administered within the COO area.
Oversees and/or prepares agency policies, procedures, reports, and studies.
Oversees the development of operational support policy, procedures, and guidelines for COO divisions, and the agency.
Collaborates with DFPS executive leadership and program areas to manage the preparation of studies to identify operational trends and issues to analyze the efficiency and success of support operations.
Oversees and submits timely operational reports, as required, for assessment to determine if actions need to be taken and/or changes needs to be made.
Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the agency are appropriate.
Oversees the efficiency and effectiveness of support operations resources for the agency to promote and improve outcomes that align with DFPS mission, vision, goals and objectives, in collaboration with DFPS executive leadership.
Implements and maintains an appropriate organizational structure that supports the needs of the department’s program areas.
Provides information, advice, and counsel to the executive director and other executives and management in the planning, development, and operation of agency services; and keeps the executive director informed on the status and progress of operations in major departments or divisions and/or across the agency.
Advises the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and DFPS executive leadership on the operational support issues impacting DFPS programs and makes recommendations to resolve issues or concerns.
Advises and notifies the Commissioner, Deputy Commission and DFPS executive leadership on the status and progress of DFPS operational support effectiveness and provides information of potential and actual areas of interest or concern.
Informs the Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership on the status and progress of operational support functions and recommends methods for effective and efficient utilization of resources.
Provides strategic direction and approves operational and staff resources for departments and/or divisions.
Provides strategic direction to DFPS executive leadership and approves the allocations of resources and operational support that reflects compliance with state and federal requirements and meets the vision and goals of the agency.
Provides information and advice to state agencies and the general public regarding agency activities and responsibilities.
Provides senior level leadership in operational support planning for the agency.
Communicates strategic direction and vision for all operational support effectively with internal and external stakeholders including DFPS executive leadership team, program staff and managers, lawmakers, courts, and advocacy groups.
Reports on and communicates with internal and external entities on the operational support functions on behalf of the agency.
Advises a variety of stakeholders and audiences of pertinent and essential information related to DFPS operational support, as needed.
Participates in the planning of strategic initiatives and development of policies; and manages and/or oversees projects and special initiatives.
Develops and recommends procedures, strategic initiatives, and development of policies for effective utilization of operational support functions.
Organizes and arranges performance data, projects and special initiatives that are disseminated to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DFPS executive leadership, staff, legislators, and their staff regarding operational support functions of the agency.
Participates in activities related to the legislative process including conferring with the executive director to determine policy and legislative priorities; and oversees the implementation of legislative changes.
Oversees and reviews the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on the department’s policies and procedures, relating to program operations, and implementation of operational support functions.
Coordinates with Government Relations, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership, in coordination with other program areas, regarding legislation that has impact to the agency as it relates to operational support.
Represents the agency at meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons; and may provide testimony before legislative committees.
Represents the department by making presentations, providing information and testimony to legislative offices or committees, other state and federal agencies, Department of Information Resources, Texas Facilities Commission, Comptroller’s Office and other organizations regarding the department’s operational support functions.
Meets with legislative staff and committees to provide information and testimony on DFPS programs, operations, and issues, as requested.
Provides information and testifies at legislative hearing and legislative meetings with the Office of the Governor, legislative offices and committees and department’s council, as directed.
Reviews and analyzes agency operations to evaluate the performance of the agency and to identify areas of potential program modifications and improvements.
Identifies and strengthens areas needing improvement through innovative initiatives to improve operations and child welfare in Texas.
Reviews and manages the COO division's priorities, working within available resources and building the business case for all activities of the agency, including the development of the strategic plan and successful operational support.
Reviews and analyzes reports, data, performance to evaluate operational support trends and impact to determine resolutions that will improve agency programs, services, and operations.
Ensures that the agency adheres to agency goals, objectives, and strategies.
Establishes and maintains the governance processes as an executive team member, assisting the DFPS executive leadership to devise plans and specific activities to accomplish visionary concepts outlined by the Commissioner
Oversees the development of goals and objectives within the COO division.
Works with DFPS executive leadership to develop plans and specific activities to accomplish goals, objectives, and strategies as it relates to operational support.
May assist in identifying and managing strategic risks.
Collaborates with Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DFPS executive leadership and external stakeholders to identify, assess and manage strategic risks that have significant impact on agency operations.
May confer with council members, organization officials, and staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities and resolve problems.
Confers with council members, external leadership offices, the Governor's Office, other state agencies and DFPS executive leadership to coordinate operational support activities for the agency and develop successful solutions.
May act as executive director in the absence of the executive director.
Acts as the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner in their absence, as needed.
Supervises the work of others, including staff at the executive level and/or management level.
Performs managerial functions for CPS senior management, including hiring, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions.
Responsible for all aspects of staff development, including the division's use of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisals.
Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations related to department programs.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques.
Knowledge of accounting, budgeting and financial principles.
Knowledge of the principles and practices of public administration and management.
Knowledge of State of Texas legislative processes and initiatives.
Knowledge of strategic planning, the budget process, cost recovery, financial and contract management.
Knowledge of the principles of leadership and how to deal with various leadership styles.
Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals for operations of a large and/or complex state government organization.
Skill decision-making at an executive level, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership.
Skill in conflict resolution and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems.
Skill in managing multiple and competing priorities.
Skill in problem solving.
Skill in management of department resources.
Skill in leadership, communication, and public speaking.
Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.
Ability to develop, implement, communicate, and lead an organizational vision which integrates key state and program goals, priorities, values, and other factors.
Ability to plan, organize, and direct program activities and/or business functions.
Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to develop and implement agency policies and procedures.
Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to make presentations and testify at hearings.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to supervise the work of others.
Ability to promote and support creative thinking.
Ability to lead, implement and balance change and continuity to continually strive to improve customer service and program performance within the basic state government framework.
Ability to implement and use new technology and work processes to enhance decision making.
Ability to plan, assign and/or supervise the work of others.
Ability to explain, advocate, express facts, and ideas, and negotiate with individuals and groups, internally and externally.
Ability to build, establish, and maintain effective working relationships and coalitions.
Ability to make timely and effective decisions and produce results through strategic planning and the implementation and evaluation of policies and programs.