Applied Research Manager

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: Applied Research Manager

Job Title: Manager V

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: ANALYTICS FOR CHANGE ENHAN/ACE

Posting Number: 18055

Closing Date: 07/02/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Computer and Mathematical

Salary Range: $7,000.00 - $9,000.00

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel: Up to 10%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Exempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: AUSTIN

Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD

Other Locations:

MOS Codes: 0203,0207,0302,0520,0602,0802,1802,5502,6302,6502,7202,7208,7210,7220,111X,112X,113X,114X,16GX,41AX

611X,612X,631X,632X,641X,648X,86M0,86P0,8U000,9G100,SEI15

Brief Job Description:

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is looking for an Applied Research Manager to lead a talented team within the Office of Data and Systems Improvement (ODSI)'s Analytics for Change and Enhancement (ACE) Division. This team sits at the intersection of rigorous research and real-world social work practice. Your work will directly shape how DFPS understands and improves the systems that support Texas's children, adults, and families through research and evaluation.

As the Applied Research Manager, you will lead a team that designs and delivers program evaluations and translates evidence into action across child welfare and adult protective services. If you are a strategic thinker who loves digging into complex problems, developing people, and making findings matter, we want to hear from you.

Essential Job Functions (EFJs):

We're looking for someone who wants to dedicate their talents and abilities to serving and protecting the most vulnerable Texans. Someone who is excited to be a part of an established team of highly skilled, capable, and motivated individuals. We want someone who is intellectually curious, wanting to understand not just what is happening but why, and who's not afraid to think outside the box for innovative and new ways of doing things. We need someone who can engage a variety of people across the agency as well as with external stakeholders, building strong relationships and support for the work of our division.

The specific job functions include:

• Lead the organization's research and evaluation activities to measure the impact of programs and initiatives.
• Oversee external evaluators and consultants work progress and deliverables, ensuring that deliverables are submitted in time and with high quality.
• Leading and inspiring a team of research specialists, guiding them in the execution of their duties, and encouraging and enabling professional growth.
• Serve as a trusted analytical advisor to DFPS leadership across divisions and programs, translating complex findings into clear, compelling insights that drive decisions and improve outcomes.
• Represent the Applied Research team in cross-agency collaborations and with external partners, building relationships that expand the team's reach and impact.
• Managing day-to-day activities while also establishing medium to long-term goals of the team.
• Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Evaluation concepts and methods, including statistically rigorous impact evaluations, process evaluations, and mixed-methods approaches.
• Social service and/or government systems, including familiarity with DFPS programs and the populations they serve.

Skill in:

• Developing and implementing evaluation frameworks and methodologies that inform strategic decision-making and continuous improvement
• Qualitative research, including conducting interviews, facilitating focus groups, and thematic analysis of qualitative data.
• Quantitative analysis, including performing data analysis and interpreting findings using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques.
• Managing multiple concurrent projects, setting priorities, and keeping deliverables on track.
• Customer service and collaboration, with experience building teams and supporting management to focus on outcomes while remaining flexible in approaches.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally for diverse audiences, including translating complex information into understandable terms.
• Creatively solve problems by identifying needed resources across areas and supporting innovative outside-the-box approaches to solutions.
• Lead, coach, and develop teams by building technical capacity, providing meaningful feedback, and fostering continuous improvement.
• Provide constructive feedback and guidance on work products.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university, at a minimum. Master's degree or higher preferred.
• Experience in program evaluation design and execution.

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 Auditors 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.