Alternative Response Program Specialist VI

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:

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  100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
  


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  Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
  


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  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)
  


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  Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
  


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  Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
  


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  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: Alternative Response Program Specialist VI 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: INV Best Practices BP CAPTA 
Posting Number: 12692 
Closing Date: 01/23/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $6,701.75 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 50% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: GALVESTON 
Job Location Address: 123 ROSENBERG AVE 
Other Locations: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance within Child Protective Investigations. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing changes to the program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. 

Essential Job Functions:

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

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

• Utilizes advanced project management skills to support the continued development and implementation of policy and best practices within Child Protective Investigations

• Develops training curriculums and delivering trainings to staff

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

• Leads the data collection, analysis, development and preparation of documentation for program reports and responding to information requests.

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

• Implements program processes that will improve child protective services policy and practice based upon program feedback

• Develops processes that will provide outcome results to determine the effectiveness of the program and areas needing improvement

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

• Leads the data collection, analysis, development and preparation of documentation for program improvement.

Provides high-level advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the program.

• Provides guidance to external and internal requests for interpretation of policy, procedures, and requirements of program.

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

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

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

• Consults with vendors to provide training opportunities and continued advancement of the institute

• Supports the Alternative response program as needed with sustainability of the program through coaching, policy development, planning leadership conferences and writing curriculum for training and delivering training

Prepares and evaluates program budget requests.

• Evaluates data to develop and provide yearly strategic plans including program budget

Assists management with developing and implementing effective techniques for evaluating agency programs, identifying the need for new programs, and providing guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.

• Implements program and procedural improvements based upon program feedback

May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

• Supports the Alternative response program as needed to maintain sustainability of the program through policy development, planning leadership conferences and writing curriculum for training and delivering training

• May serve as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.

Performs related work as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

LMSW preferred but not required. 

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to state government agencies and public social services.

Knowledge of DFPS and CPI programs and practices.

Knowledge of program planning and implementation.

Knowledge of related state and federal laws, regulations, policies, rules and requirements.

Knowledge of process improvement or quality assurance systems.

Knowledge of project management.

Knowledge of the principles of leadership and how to effectively interact with various leadership styles.

Skill in written and verbal communications.

Skill in revising and editing written communications.

Skill in working collaboratively on a workgroup.

Skill in developing PowerPoint presentations.

Skill in public speaking.

Skill in identifying problems, evaluating alternatives, and implementing solutions.

Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with diverse groups.

Skill in managing multiple projects and competing priorities.

Skill in demonstrating leadership.

Skill in the use of computers, spreadsheets, databases, and Microsoft Office applications.

Skill in program management.

Ability to coach staff using a person-centered coaching model.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to represent the agency effectively with key stakeholders.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Ability to make independent judgments.

Ability to manage resources and establish priorities.

Ability to make decisions and solve problems effectively.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of agency staff, and external agencies and organizations.

Ability to work effectively and efficiently with minimal supervision.

Ability to implement and use new technology and work processes.

Ability to clearly articulate facts and ideas.

Ability to direct and organize program activities.

Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support project management.

Ability to plan, assign, and evaluate the work of others.

Ability to effectively manage and motivate staff.

Initial Screening Criteria: 

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, psychology, criminal justice, early childhood education, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred; 5 years of child welfare experience with 2 years of full time experience as a Child Protective Investigations Traditional or Alternative Response Supervisor. Preferred experience two years supervising Alternative Response. 

Additional Information:  

N/A

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 dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov 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: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-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 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.