Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Operations

Job Description:
Deputy Director I-
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Assistant Deputy Commissioner reports to the DFPS Deputy Commissioner for Operations and performs highly advanced (senior-level) policy administration and managerial work. Work involves strategic planning, state agency administration, and working closely with the Deputy Commissioner for Operations to oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency. The position oversees key cross-agency functions, including providing oversight related to Information Technology Services, Information Security, Data Management and System Improvement, Heightened Monitoring, Reportable Conduct, and Background Checks. Supervises the work of others including staff at the executive level and/or management level. Works under minimal supervision, with extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Essential Job Functions:
Directs the day-to-day operations of the agency, which may include the agency’s financial and budget activities and other operational or programmatic activities; or oversees major, complex, and functionally related areas organized into multiple departments and/or divisions.
• Works closely with the DFPS Deputy Commissioner for Operations to direct the day-to-day operations in providing vision, leadership and strategic direction across all agency programs administration, operations, and budget decision-making processes.
• Provides a full range of strategic systems support to agency leadership in coordinating related efforts within agency program areas to further agency’s mission to promote safe and healthy families and protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Directs agency operations for divisions such as Information Technology Services, Information Security, Data Management and System Improvement, Heightened Monitoring, Reportable Conduct, and Background Checks.

Collaborates the preparation of the budget; determines long-range budgetary plans agency wide or for several departments and/or divisions.
• Coordinates with the Deputy Commissioner for Operations to direct fiscal management including budgeting and funds management for the agency.
• Collaborates in the development of the agency’s budget and Legislative Appropriations Request process in collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and Division Directors at the guidance of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.

Oversees and/or prepares agency policies, procedures, reports, and studies.
• Prepares agency policies and procedures alongside program areas while ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
• Oversees the planning and evaluation of reports and studies to analyze trends and issues, determines impact and provide strategic direction to ensure successful outcomes.

Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the agency are appropriate.
• Performs highly advanced management and assessment of activities for agency operations, at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, to enforce relevant resources and methods to ensure agency operations align with the mission to promote safe and healthy families and protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Maintains a general awareness of major initiatives for each program area and identifies interdependencies to ensure that the operations of the agency are appropriate and consistent with existing policy and processes.
• Based on the results of assessments and studies, identifies resources needed to strengthen agency operational and programmatic processes and works with Deputy Commissioner for Operations to deploy resources as needed.

Provides information, advice, and counsel to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioners, and other executives and management in the planning, development, and operation of agency services; and keeps executive management informed on the status and progress of operations in major departments or divisions and/or across the agency.
• Carries forward the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations to assist DFPS leadership and program staff in addressing complex issues.
• Provides direction to DFPS leadership and program staff on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, as needed, to meet necessary service levels and strategic priorities.
• Reviews, on a regular basis, reports and tracking completion of goals and informs DFPS executive leadership of progress.
• Advises and provides counsel to the Deputy Commissioner for Operations on a wide range of complex issues related the planning, development, and operations of agency services.

Provides information and advice to state agencies and the public regarding agency activities and responsibilities.
• Participates in public meetings with stakeholders and other state agency officials to provide information and advice of pertinent and essential information related to the agency.
• Collaborates with stakeholders and state agency officials, as needed, to gather input on the agency’s program and initiatives, study important issues, and develop new ways to better serve the vulnerable citizens of Texas.

Participates in the planning of strategic initiatives and development of policies; and manages and/or oversees projects and special initiatives.
• Is directly involved in addressing operational, administrative, policy, legislative and legal aspects of all DFPS programs and divisions.
• Assists in defining focus and scope of initiatives, supporting communications across programs and divisions, and assisting in escalating items requiring executive level decisions.

Participates in activities related to the legislative process including conferring with the Deputy Commissioner of Operations to determine policy and legislative priorities; and oversees the implementation of legislative changes.
• Represents the Deputy Commissioner for Operations in activities and meetings with staff, elected state and federal officials and their staff, and other external entities, as needed.
• Provides pertinent information to the Deputy Commissioner for Operations to testify at hearings and other meetings with the Legislative Budget Board, the Governor's Office of Budget and Planning, the Senate Finance Committee, the House Appropriations Committee, and other elected officials.
• Represents the Department by making presentations, providing information and testimony to the department’s executive team, legislative committees, state and federal agencies, and other groups and organizations regarding the department's programs, at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
• Oversees and reviews the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on the agency’s policies and procedures, relating to program operations, and implementation.
• Coordinates with Government Relations to provide information to the legislature related to statewide and department goals, objectives, and mission, in coordination with other program areas, outside entities, and other interested parties.

Represents the Department at meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons; and may provide testimony before legislative committees.
• Provides input regarding strategic priorities and evaluation of those priorities for the agency, at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
• Attends and participates in meetings by representing the agency with federal partners, legislators, and external stakeholders.
• Assists and provides required information to the Deputy Commissioner for Operations to testify before legislative committee.

Reviews and analyzes Department operations to evaluate the performance of the agency and to identify areas of potential program modifications and improvements.
• Assesses the results of program evaluations and reviews to make recommendations and develop plans for program and operational improvements.
Reviews and evaluates regular business reports and tracks completion of goals, including identifying the need to address areas of concern that may be impeding success to achieve programmatic goals.
Ensures that the Department adheres to Department goals, objectives, and strategies.
• Analyzes federal and state regulations and legislation, program data, budget data, forecasts, and external vendor data on a regular basis to determine appropriate operational or administrative direction, contractor compliance, and program compliance.
• Ensures that resources are acquired appropriately and implemented effectively in compliance with objectives, strategies, regulations, and agency policies to further meet the agency’s mission, vision, and goals.

May assist in identifying and managing strategic risks.
• Collaborates with Deputy Commissioner for Operations and DFPS executive leadership, as needed, to identify, analyze and monitor strategic risk that impact the agency to ensure successful outcomes.

May confer with advisory committee members, organization officials, and staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities and resolve problems.
• Confers and deliberates with council members, stakeholders, other state agency officials, and program areas, at the direction of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, to gather input on agency initiatives, important issues, develop solutions that better serve vulnerable citizens of Texas.

May act as Deputy Commissioner for Operations in the absence of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.
• Acts as and represents the Deputy Commissioner for Operations in their absence.
• Supports the Deputy Commissioner for Operations and ensures that decisions made reflect those of the Deputy Commissioner for Operations.

Supervises the work of others, including staff at the executive level and/or management level.
• Supervises managers and staff persons including hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions, and scheduling and approving leave.
• Directs human resource management functions, assuring the employment of staff with appropriate organizational and management skills to carry out the mission of the department.

Performs related work as assigned.
Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws and regulations.
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, and leadership techniques.
Knowledge of accounting, budgeting, and financial principles; and the principles and practices of public administration and management.

Skill in establishing plans and setting objectives and goals for operations of a large and/or complex state government organization.
Skill in decision-making at an executive level, including assessing risk and using good judgment to inform decisions and recommendations to leadership.
Skill in conflict resolution and working quickly and collaboratively to solve problems.

Ability to plan, organize, and direct program activities and/or business functions.
Ability to establish program goals and objectives that support the strategic plan.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to develop and implement agency policies and procedures.
Ability to prepare concise reports; to make presentations and testify at hearings.
Ability to communicate effectively.

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