Family First Prevention Services Act Project Manager

About this role

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: Family First Prevention Services Act Project Manager  Job Title: Project Manager III  Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc  Department: State Office Pgm Support  Posting Number: 21729  Closing Date: 10/05/2026  Posting Audience: Internal and External  Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations  Salary Range: $5,425.33 - $8,886.16  Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-24  Shift: Day  Additional Shift:   Telework:   Travel: Up to 15%  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: Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata  MOS Codes: 2611,8058,8060,8848,16KX,1D7X1,32EX,3D0X4,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,8K000,BU,CE,EA,SEI16

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION

Performs advanced (senior-level) project management work involving coordinating the planning and initiation of projects at various levels of completion; monitoring the progress and schedule of projects; and communicating with project stakeholders, management, and other relevant parties, and may assign duties and responsibilities and coordinate the work of project staff. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJFs)

Manage, develop, and oversee projects using accepted project management methodologies.

Provides consultative services and technical assistance to internal and external partners regarding FFPSA project implementation and management.

Prepares and maintains comprehensive project documentation, including work plans, progress reports, timelines, and performance metrics.

Oversees the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of FFPSA projects. Develops and manages project goals, objectives, scope, timelines, milestones, and performance measures and monitors progress to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Identifies and mitigates project risks and issues, ensuring compliance with agency policies and procedures.

Manages the planning, initiation, execution, and completion of major projects that support the DFPS mission to strengthen families and prevent children from entering foster care.

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

Coordinates with internal and external stakeholders to develop project timeframes, milestones, work plans, and cost estimates to meet project completion dates.

Works with program staff to ensure resources and budget are available to meet project requirements.

Plan and manage efficient project meetings.

Facilitates stakeholder meetings, workgroups, and training sessions to promote information sharing and collaboration.

Leads cross-divisional coordination efforts to align FFPSA initiatives with DFPS strategic goals. Serves as a liaison among internal divisions, external agencies, providers, and other stakeholders to facilitate project success.

Monitor and manage project cost to ensure that projects are completed within budget.

Coordinates with the Office of Finance to monitor the progress, schedule, and costs of projects and reports to project teams and leadership.

Coordinates, plans, and evaluates projects using accepted project management methodologies.

Develops and coordinates briefing materials, logic models, strategic plans, and FFPSA project presentations while evaluating progress and outcomes using established project management methodologies (e.g. Agile or PMBOK-based approaches) to ensure effective planning, execution, and alignment with organizational goals.

Coordinates project activities with other state agencies, governmental jurisdictions, or private sector partners and contractors.

Assists with long-term planning and strategic initiatives related to FFPSA to strengthen system support project activities.

Represents DFPS and the FFPSA Division in meetings, conferences, and other events, while coordinating associated project activities.

Monitors and manages project quality to ensure project deliverables are acceptable and fulfill the terms of the project contract or specifications.

Reviews and analyzes reports and performance data submitted by contracted providers to assess quality, accuracy, and compliance with contract requirements, project specifications, and performance measures.

Communicates project methodology and processes to interested groups and team members.

Communicates project updates, processes, and outcomes to leadership, staff, and stakeholders through written and verbal reports.

Monitors and records project responses, issues, actions, and decisions and communicates to project teams and leadership.

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

Prepares high quality written project reports, updates, summaries, and other project-related documents.

Provides regular updates to management, project teams, and others of project status and related issues.

Coordinates and responds to requests for changes from the original specifications.

Reviews internal and external requests for changes to project scope, timelines, or specifications, analyzes impacts and coordinates responses in accordance with established project and contract requirements.

Develops, reviews, and recommends proposals and bids to management.

Coordinates with internal stakeholders to develop proposals and associated costs to support project activities and provides recommendations to management.

Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbott Executive Order GA-48.

Knowledge of project management theories and practices applicable to limited-scope projects; systems and procedures used to evaluate a third-party vendor’s performance; and local, state, and federal laws and regulations relevant to the administration of the project undertaken.

Knowledge of project management theories and practices applicable to projects of moderate scope.

Knowledge of project management theories and practices applicable to projects that are complex in scope.

Knowledge of program planning, implementation, and evaluation methods.

Knowledge of state and federal child welfare programs, particularly the Family First Prevention Services Act (FFPSA).

Knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and policies related to social services and prevention programs.

Skill in project management monitoring and in the use of a computer and applicable software.

Skill in addressing changes in scope or timing.

Skill in managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Skill in facilitating collaboration among diverse stakeholders.

Skill in analyzing data and preparing reports and presentations.

Skill in using project management tools and software.

Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to exercise sound judgment in making critical decisions, to analyze complex information and develop plans to address identified issues, to demonstrate negotiation and facilitation skills, to identify project risks, to prepare reports and charts, to communicate effectively, and to assign duties and responsibilities and coordinate the work of project staff.

Ability to manage project activities, to establish project goals and objectives, and to identify project gaps.

Ability to plan, organize, and manage project activities and deliverables.

Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships internally and externally.

Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.

Ability to adapt to changing priorities and manage competing demands.

REGISTRATIONS, LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS

N/A

INITIAL SCREENING CRITERIA

Experience in project management in relevant areas of project assignment. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in a field relevant to the assignment is generally preferred. Experience and education may be substituted for one another.

Minimum of five years’ experience managing or coordinating large-scale or cross-divisional projects or programs. Minimum of two years’ experience in child welfare, social services, or public sector programs. Advanced degree is generally preferred.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This position can be housed in any DFPS office with space capacity.

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 [email removed] 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.