Training Program Management Specialist II

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: Training Program Management Specialist II

Job Title: Program Management Spec II

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: COA Contract Oversight & Spt

Posting Number: 18565

Closing Date: 07/15/2026

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: Eligible for 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: 2611,8058,8060,8848,16KX,32EX,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,SEI16

Brief Job Description:

Performs complex (journey-level) program management specialist work. Works under general supervision, with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Employees at this level may work more independently than those at the previous level, may routinely assist other staff in performing work of greater complexity, and may identify, assess, and propose potential program improvements.

Essential Job Functions:

Manages a program throughout its life cycle by defining goals, objectives, and controls.

• Provides guidance and training to staff and stakeholders to support understanding of contract management and consistent application of contract policies by developing and delivering targeted training sessions, technical assistance, and resource material.

Manages program planning, including the development, implementation, and documentation of processes for specific programs involving departmental or cross-functional teams focused on the delivery of new or existing programs, operations, or service offerings.

• Collaborates with departmental and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with contract management goals, compliance with policies and effective resource utilization by regularly engaging with program staff, legal counsel, procurement, finance, and regional contract managers to coordinate contract-related efforts across DFPS.
• Oversees the implementation of operational processes by identifying training needs, developing supporting materials, and delivering training to ensure consistent execution across teams.
• Develops contract management tools and resources for the use of contract management staff to improve consistency, compliance, and efficiency by designing and maintaining standardized templates, checklists, guidance documents, and job aids for DFPS contract managers and oversight staff.

Manages communications with stakeholders to ensure that they are appropriately informed of and aligned with program updates, changes, and risk.

• Coordinates and manages stakeholder communications to ensure timely and accurate dissemination of contract management updates, policy changes, training opportunities, fiscal impacts, and quality initiatives by serving as the primary point of contact for contract-related communications with DFPS and across partner agencies and providers.

Identifies program requirements and establishes methodology to measure the effectiveness of agency initiatives; identifies program gaps and proposes improvements or enhancements.

• Develops and applies methodologies to measure the effectiveness of DFPS initiatives, incorporating performance metrics related to training outcomes, budget adherence, policy compliance, and/or contract quality and performance.
• Analyzes data and stakeholder input to identify gaps, inefficiencies, or risks in current contracts and processes, including issues related to fiscal oversight, policy alignment, contractor performance and/or service delivery and proposes and supports improvements or enhancements, such as procedural changes, policy updates, training development, or contract modifications to optimize service delivery and resource use.

Ensures that program decisions are made in accordance with program requirements; other applicable rules, policies, and procedures; and the agency's strategic objectives.

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams, including fiscal analysts, contract managers, policy staff, internal and external stakeholders, and contract oversight leadership to support informed, compliant decision-making throughout the contract management life cycle.
• Provides training and technical assistance to staff and stakeholders to reinforce understanding of decision-making protocols, procedural updates, and/or the strategic intent behind program initiatives.

Coordinates with internal divisions and departments to achieve complex cross-functional program and business outcomes consisting of multiple work streams, and/or works directly with external stakeholders to launch high visibility partnerships and programs.

• Facilitates strategic planning and decision-making by bringing together contract management, financial staff, quality assurance staff, policy analysts, data analysts, and training teams to define shared objectives and track progress toward successful outcomes.

Develops in-depth technical and non-technical knowledge of programs to mitigate problems.

• Collaborates with cross-functional teams to address problems, drawing on a deep understanding of training content, quality standards, and/or compliance requirements to implement effective contract solutions.
• Applies program knowledge to support continuous improvement, offering recommendations to enhance workflows, strengthen contract oversight, improve staff training, and/or ensure program objectives are met efficiently and effectively.

Recommends, develops, and manages the development of program standards and tools.

• Leads the creation of tools and resources, including templates, guidance documents, training materials, and performance dashboards, to support contract implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Collaborates with internal stakeholders such as fiscal, policy, quality assurance, and/or training teams to ensure tools and standards are practical, user-friendly, and responsive to contract oversight needs.

Facilitates and maintains relationships between internal and external stakeholders, vendors, internal divisions/departments and senior management to achieve performance goals, contract compliance, customer satisfaction, and quality service delivery.

• Facilitates strong working relationships with internal departments, external stakeholders, vendors, and senior leadership to support effective communication, collaboration, and alignment with contract oversight goals and priorities.
• Supports stakeholder engagement through training, updates, and technical assistance, promoting shared understanding of contract service expectations, compliance standards and/or quality benchmarks.

Performs related work as assigned.

Position works in-office, but it is eligible to telework two days a week.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of project/program management theories and practices; project/program costing, estimating, and scheduling; systems and procedures used to evaluate project/program performance; and local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the project/program undertaken.

Skill in project/program management, scheduling, resource allocation, and budgeting; and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Ability to provide leadership and motivate others, to monitor project/program status, to prepare and/or analyze project cost estimates, to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions, to analyze project/program-related information and develop plans to address identified issues and risk, to prepare reports and charts, to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and to oversee the work of others.

Ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.

Registration, Certification, or Licensure:

Requires dual certification as Certified Texas Contract Manager (CTCM) and Certified Texas Contract Developer (CTCD).

Initial Screening Criteria:

Experience in methods analysis, management, or organizational development work. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in business administration or a related field is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

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.