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Program Specialist V- APS Subject Matter Expert

Texas Department of Family & Protective Services
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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- APS Subject Matter Expert 
Job Title: Program Specialist V 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Region 11 APS In-Home Dir Del 
Posting Number: 20279 
Closing Date: 09/02/2026 
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 40% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: BROWNSVILLE 
Job Location Address: 1000 W PRICE RD 
Other Locations: Alice; Aransas Pass; Beeville; Corpus Christi; Edinburg; Harlingen; Kingsville; Laredo; Mcallen; Raymondville; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Sinton; Weslaco 
MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 



Brief Job Description:

Reviews and performs advanced consultative services and investigative work in self-neglect, hoarding, high risk of recidivism, complex service delivery needs, and medically complex cases. Coordinates review teams for repeat cases, and liaisons with medical partners for assessments on medical and mental health issues. Serves as the regional expert on voluntary and involuntary intervention, coordinating directly with workers and supervisors regarding policy, best practice and legal options. Coordinates actively with local government and court officials in order to protect the health and safety of the individuals being served. Work involves overseeing, consulting, and conducting investigations; appropriately handling sensitive or confidential information; and training others. Provides consultation and expert advice to Adult Protective Services staff, other governmental agencies, community organizations, and the general public. Interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff including, District Directors, program administrators, and supervisors. Works under minimal supervision with considerable latitude using both initiative and independent judgment in reporting to the Program Administrator. 

 

Essential Job Functions:    

Serves as a regional subject matter expert and provides technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of SHIELD practice model and APS policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders.

Serves as regional experts on voluntary and involuntary intervention coordinating directly with workers and supervisors regarding policy, best practice and legal options and accompanying workers for on-site investigations. Conducts investigations as directed.

Provides review and consultation on severe cases and cases with a high risk of recidivism.

Provides consultation on Service Plan development to address cases at risk of recidivism.

Coordinates review teams to create new ways of dealing with subsequent or repeat cases.

Actively coordinates and acts as liaison with local government and court officials in order to protect the health and safety of the individuals being served.

Acts as a liaison between APS and medical partners and develops resources to obtain necessary client assessments on medical and mental health issues.

Provides public awareness training/presentations to regional medical and code enforcement professionals and community on recognizing client risk and self-neglect.

Prepares management reports to keep regional and agency management staff aware of risk and severe self-neglect issues, efforts, and outcomes.

Assists in preparing cases for presentation at hearings or in court. Testifies and represents evidence in formal hearings or court proceedings.

Develops procedures for conducting risk and severe self-neglect cases.

Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.

 

 

 

 

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:    N/A 

 

Knowledge Skills Abilities:    

Knowledge of Adult Protective Services SHIELD Practice model, programs, policies, procedures, standards, and organizational operations.

Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws relating to Adult Protective Services (APS).

Knowledge of hoarding behaviors, mental illness, and mental and medical health issues.

Knowledge of strength based service planning and delivery.

Knowledge of other Texas human services agency and federal programs.

Ability to provide information, training and support to agency staff and law enforcement and judicial professionals.

Knowledge of the investigative process/procedures.

Skill in conducting thorough interviews with clients, perpetrators and witnesses.

Ability to establish appropriate service plans for individuals at serious risk or in severe states of neglect.

Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities.

Ability to explain best policy and practice to staff and to appropriately monitor outcomes.

Ability to review and score case documentation for QA purposes.

Ability to understand and interpret legal concepts and procedures.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels and with external entities.

Skill in effective written and verbal communications including public speaking.

Ability to originate ideas and strategies for communicating the agency message.

Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and professions.

Ability to develop materials and documents for distribution internally and externally in a professional manner.

Ability to provide information, training and support to agency staff and community groups.

Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects effectively.

 

 

Initial Screening Criteria:     

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

Three years full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include: analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services experience. *Two of three required years must have been in Adult Protective Services at PRS within the past four years of the posting date.

 

Acceptable Substitutions:

One additional year full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include: analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or Texas Department of Protective and Regulatory Services experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education, with a maximum substitution of four years.

 

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.