Strategic and Legislative Projects 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: Strategic and Legislative Projects Manager

Job Title: Project Manager IV

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: Chief Operating Officer

Posting Number: 20824

Closing Date: 09/15/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations

Salary Range: $6,377.50 - $10,785.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-26

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework:

Travel: Up to 20%

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: 2611,8058,8060,8848,16KX,1D7X1,32EX,3D0X4,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,8K000,BU,CE,EA,SEI16

Brief Job Description:

The Strategic and Legislative Projects Manager performs advanced (senior-level) project management work. Work involves coordinating the planning and initiation of diverse projects at various levels of completion; monitoring the progress and schedule of projects; communicating with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties. Duties also include serving as the legislative coordinator for the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Division including but not limited to coordinating bill and cost analysis and managing legislative implementation, and leading special projects. May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff. Works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions:

Directs, develops, and evaluates projects using accepted project management methodologies.

• Provides leadership and expertise which includes but is not limited to the full spectrum of industry-accepted principles of project management including initiation, planning, execution, control, and closing assigned projects.
• May oversee multiple projects concurrently.

Initiates multi-agency or enterprise-level projects, obtains authorization and commitment, demonstrating business need and project feasibility.

• Evaluates and initiates department, division, and agency-wide project deliverables, assignments, and program support initiatives through coordination with Executive level staff and Directors, multi-agency staff, and stakeholders.
• Coordinates project activities with other state agencies, governmental jurisdictions, or private sector partners and contractors.

Develops criteria for evaluating programs, proposals, and other pertinent information related to project assignments.

• Analyzes needs based on legislation, best practices, performance needs and current program policies and procedures.

Develops project budgets, schedules, work plans, resources requirements, cost estimates and projections.

• Serves as the legislative liaison at the division level coordinating legislative responsibilities within the COO and other divisions to include, but not limited to; development of exceptional items, assigning bills for analysis, setting expectations and timeframes, developing cost estimate criteria and processes, implementation planning, coordination, and tracking.

Develops and implements plans to communicate project methodology and processes to interested groups and team members.

• Facilitates, participates, and makes presentations in department, division, agency, and multiple agency meetings.
• Oversees and is responsible for final reporting requirements for related projects.
• May testify before legislative and interested groups on project status and other issues of public interest.

Monitors and manages project quality and cost to ensure that project deliverables are acceptable, fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications, and are completed within budget.

• Adjust schedules and targets on projects as needs or financing changes.
• Oversees tracking, reporting, and analysis of required performance targets.

Identifies potential project risks and designs strategies for mitigation and avoidance.

• Identifies and researches barriers.
• Analyzes trends and works with the COO directors, managers, and customers, to achieve and maintain high levels of customer service.
• Advises leadership on the impact of legislation, tracks, and advocates for division resource needs.

Compiles and distributes project information, project status reports, and project budget expenditures.

• Prepares and presents executive level reports and reference materials.
• Creates documentation procedures to capture and manage original project plans.
• Compiles and evaluates data for the development and/or review of reports.

May direct, assign, and evaluate the work of project staff.

Performs related work as assigned.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification from the Project Management Institute (PMI) is preferred.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and regulations.

Knowledge and experience in business process redesign.

Knowledge and experience in project management techniques.

Knowledge of Texas budgeting and legislative funding requests and associated processes.

Knowledge of Texas legislative process and public accountability systems.

Knowledge of principles and practices of public administration and management.

Knowledge of principles of program planning and implementation.

Knowledge of quality improvement or quality assurance initiatives.

Knowledge of project management and conflict resolution.

Knowledge of statistical analysis processes.

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

Skill in Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Project, and Visio.

Skill in using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

Skill in organizing division activities to establish program goals and objectives that support the agency.

Skill in analyzing organizational problems and developing approaches to address them. Skill in effective verbal and written communication, including drafting, editing, and proofing.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations to gain and keep a high level of trust, confidence, and respect.

Ability to explain facts, advocate ideas, and negotiate and collaborate with individuals and groups, externally and internally.

Ability to establish, define and set priorities.

Ability to balance change and continuity, to adjust and respond to changing job priorities, and continually strive to improve customer service within the basic state government framework.

Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.

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

Ability gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.

• Five years' full-time experience managing legislative, policy, or regulatory projects, work which must include:

• Analysis of work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex material; and

• Planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved,

• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders,

• Interpretation of complex written material or analysis in state, federal agency or local government.

• Two years' experience preparing reports, briefings, or presentations for executives or government officials.

• Excellent written communication skills as demonstrated via the application and resume.

• Experience in legislative coordination and implementation preferred.

Acceptable Substitutions:

• One additional year full-time work related to the duties of this position 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 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.