Program Specialist III - TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES

Job/Position DescriptionThe Child Protective Services (CPS) Legal Support Specialist performs complex (journey-level) consultative services and technical assistance work within the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS). Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, government agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May provide guidance to others. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Essential Job FunctionsEXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMEDPerforms an array of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities related to program assignment.and#149;Trains DFPS/Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) staff by developing curriculum and training materials, conducts the training seminars, keeps staff informed of changes in the Texas Family Code, DFPS, and SSCC policy. and#149;Facilitates and expedites conservatorship cases to permanency through the legal system within the parameters of the Texas Family Code, as well as DFPS and SSCC policy guidelines.and#149;Facilitates compliance efforts through monitoring legal status in IMPACT, enters corrections, creates reports, gathers court orders to substantiate changes in legal status.and#149;Completes administrative and technical activities such as drafting legal documents, producing Discovery, and monitoring the completion of statutorily required tasks through the utilization of available systems to ensure accuracy and compliance with the Texas Family Code and program practices.and#149;Performs research activities to support Discovery through historical analysis and case mining for relevant information supporting the arguments of the case.Performs comprehensive reviews of literature, statutes, rules, and/or policies; and prepares administrative reports, studies, and specialized research projects.and#149;Analyzes affidavits to ensure adequate evidence regarding child safety and the urgent need of protection by requesting legal interview that results in removal of the child from the home, court ordered participation in services, or the ability to investigate concerns of abuse or neglect.and#149;Prepares, reviews, and interprets court orders and other court findings or directives.and#149;Reviews and prepares requests for service of citation, subpoenas, inquires, Discovery (interrogatories, production, admissions, and disclosures), and other activities. and#149;Prepares studies and specialized research projects as required to compliment Discovery efforts and improve best practice between agency program and legal divisions.and#149;Conducts quality assurance analysis of accuracy of legal status of youth in IMPACTand#149;Prepares reports for compliance purposes as it relates to the legal status of youth in care. Coordinates improving data accuracy and makes recommendations for process improvements.Collaborates in the planning, development, implementation, analysis, and documentation of an agency program.and#149;Prepares cases for hearings or trials through coordination with the representing attorney to ensure all required actions and tasks are completed to present the Departmentand#146;s case to the court. and#149;Collaborates with DFPS/SSCC staff to ensure documentation of legal actions and tasks have been completed. and#149;Analyzes court and DFPS/SSCC case files to ensure program staff are prepared for upcoming legal events. and#149;Collaborates in the planning and implementation of pr https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=620814 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.