Chief Operating Officer

Austin, TX, United States

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Chief Operating Officer (COO) performs highly advanced (senior-level) policy administration and managerial work. Work involves strategic planning, state agency administration, and working closely with the executive director on the day-to-day operations of the agency and Chief Operating Office. 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.

• Provides overall vision, leadership, and strategic direction to the department in the areas related to operations and support functions in coordination with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership.

• Directs planning, implementation, coordination, and evaluation of agency operations and support functions and policies to promote innovation, best practices, effective program administration and service delivery.

• Makes and is accountable for major support operation decisions, which impact agency operations statewide, other state agencies, and DFPS clients and resources.

• Directs and manages the daily operations of the Operational Support Services, Purchased Client Services, Contract Oversight and Support, Workforce Development including Human Resources and Center for Learning and Organizational Excellence, and Records Management (operational support) teams of DFPS.

Directs and approves the preparation of the budget; determines long-range budgetary plans agency wide or for several departments and/or divisions.

• Oversees the administration of the operations and support division’s budget and ensures effective and efficient delivery of services.

• Determines long-range operational support budgetary plans by collaborating with the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Chief Financial Officer and DFPS executive leadership to determine critical resources necessary to promote agency goals and objectives, and to assist in development of the agency’s budget and Legislative Appropriations Request.

• Assesses division resources and oversees the development of the COO budget in cooperation with the DFPS executive leadership.

Oversees and/or prepares agency policies, procedures, reports, and studies.

• Oversees the development of operational support policy, procedures, and guidelines for COO divisions, and the agency.

• Collaborates with DFPS executive leadership and program areas to manage the preparation of studies to identify operational trends and issues to analyze the efficiency and success of support operations.

Oversees and implements appropriate resources to ensure that the operations of the agency are appropriate.

• Oversees the efficiency and effectiveness of support operations resources for the agency to promote and improve outcomes that align with DFPS mission, vision, goals and objectives, in collaboration with DFPS executive leadership.

• Implements and maintains an appropriate organizational structure that supports the needs of the department’s program areas.

Provides information, advice, and counsel to the executive director and other executives and management in the planning, development, and operation of agency services; and keeps the executive director informed on the status and progress of operations in major departments or divisions and/or across the agency.

• Advises the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and DFPS executive leadership on the operational support issues impacting DFPS programs and makes recommendations to resolve issues or concerns.

• Advises and notifies the Commissioner, Deputy Commission and DFPS executive leadership on the status and progress of DFPS operational support effectiveness and provides information of potential and actual areas of interest or concern.

• Informs the Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership on the status and progress of operational support functions and recommends methods for effective and efficient utilization of resources.

Provides strategic direction and approves operational and staff resources for departments and/or divisions.

• Provides strategic direction to DFPS executive leadership and approves the allocations of resources and operational support that reflects compliance with state and federal requirements and meets the vision and goals of the agency.

Provides information and advice to state agencies and the general public regarding agency activities and responsibilities.

• Provides senior level leadership in operational support planning for the agency.

• Communicates strategic direction and vision for all operational support effectively with internal and external stakeholders including DFPS executive leadership team, program staff and managers, lawmakers, courts, and advocacy groups.

• Reports on and communicates with internal and external entities on the operational support functions on behalf of the agency.

• Advises a variety of stakeholders and audiences of pertinent and essential information related to DFPS operational support, as needed.

Participates in the planning of strategic initiatives and development of policies; and manages and/or oversees projects and special initiatives.

• Develops and recommends procedures, strategic initiatives, and development of policies for effective utilization of operational support functions.

• Organizes and arranges performance data, projects and special initiatives that are disseminated to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DFPS executive leadership, staff, legislators, and their staff regarding operational support functions of the agency.

Participates in activities related to the legislative process including conferring with the executive director to determine policy and legislative priorities; and oversees the implementation of legislative changes.

• Oversees and reviews the impact of proposed federal and state legislation on the department’s policies and procedures, relating to program operations, and implementation of operational support functions.

• Coordinates with Government Relations, Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and DFPS executive leadership, in coordination with other program areas, regarding legislation that has impact to the agency as it relates to operational support.

Represents the agency at meetings with legislators, legislative staff, and other legislative liaisons; and may provide testimony before legislative committees.

• Represents the department by making presentations, providing information and testimony to legislative offices or committees, other state and federal agencies, Department of Information Resources, Texas Facilities Commission, Comptroller’s Office and other organizations regarding the department’s operational support functions.

• Meets with legislative staff and committees to provide information and testimony on DFPS programs, operations, and issues, as requested.

• Provides information and testifies at legislative hearing and legislative meetings with the Office of the Governor, legislative offices and committees and department’s council, as directed.

Reviews and analyzes agency operations to evaluate the performance of the agency and to identify areas of potential program modifications and improvements.

• Identifies and strengthens areas needing improvement through innovative initiatives to improve operations and child welfare in Texas.

• Reviews and manages the COO division's priorities, working within available resources and building the business case for all activities of the agency, including the development of the strategic plan and successful operational support.

• Reviews and analyzes reports, data, performance to evaluate operational support trends and impact to determine resolutions that will improve agency programs, services, and operations.

Ensures that the agency adheres to agency goals, objectives, and strategies.

• Establishes and maintains the governance processes as an executive team member, assisting the DFPS executive leadership to devise plans and specific activities to accomplish visionary concepts outlined by the Commissioner

• Oversees the development of goals and objectives within the COO division.

• Works with DFPS executive leadership to develop plans and specific activities to accomplish goals, objectives, and strategies as it relates to operational support.

May assist in identifying and managing strategic risks.

• Collaborates with Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, DFPS executive leadership and external stakeholders to identify, assess and manage strategic risks that have significant impact on agency operations.

May confer with council members, organization officials, and staff members to discuss issues, coordinate activities and resolve problems.

• Confers with council members, external leadership offices, the Governor's Office, other state agencies and DFPS executive leadership to coordinate operational support activities for the agency and develop successful solutions.

May act as executive director in the absence of the executive director.

• Acts as the Commissioner or Deputy Commissioner in their absence, as needed.

Supervises the work of others, including staff at the executive level and/or management level.

• Performs managerial functions for CPS senior management, including hiring, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, recommending personnel and disciplinary actions.

• Responsible for all aspects of staff development, including the division's use of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisals.

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