Under the direction of the Division Administrator for Early Childhood Programs within the Division of Prevention and Early Intervention (PEI), the Early Childhood Programs Lead provides oversight and support and performs highly advanced and complex technical, consultative and professional work to support division programs, initiatives, and efforts.
Performs senior-level technical assistance work to develop and support programs within the division. This position will provide lead program support for PEI Early Childhood Programs such as the Healthy Outcomes through Prevention and Early Support (HOPES) Program, Texas Home Visiting Program (THV), and the Texas Nurse-Family Partnership (TNFP) Program. These programs are designed to strengthen families with young children, promote child and family well-being in early childhood, and support positive outcomes for families with children ages 0 to 5 years. Programs offer services such as evidence-based parent education, home visiting, and other family support programming.
The position will serve as a subject matter expert for program-related information, evidence-based models and frameworks, community-level initiatives, and best practice in implementation of programming and community systems efforts. This will include ensuring community programmatic needs are met while meeting grant requirements, coordinating and collaborating with state agency and community partners to promote PEI programs and services, developing internal policies and processes, assisting with program planning, development, implementation, and oversight, working with data and evaluation teams, advising staff of emerging trends in the field and best practices, liaising with stakeholders and partners, conducting training, presentations, and meetings, and compiling and reviewing reports, forms, and materials. The position will also assist with general program planning and providing guidance and general communication to ensure coordination with PEI program goals and objectives. The Program Lead will also assist and support Early Childhood Program Specialists and other PEI Program Specialists in their work and efforts.
The Early Childhood Programs Lead may serve as back up to the Division Administrator in attending internal or external meetings and assist in the coordination and communication of information about PEI programs and initiatives to stakeholders. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions:
Performs a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for PEI programs and initiatives.
Provides high-level consultation and guidance by interpreting standards, policies, procedures, and regulations related to programs and initiatives.
Conducts training and provides guidance to staff, grantees, and other stakeholders in the development and integration of programming, new or revised methods and procedures.
Plans and manages a variety of projects for program planning, development, implementation, policy updates, and program oversight and assessment.
Oversees the completion of and monitors projects and program progress, reviews data and reports, and recommends appropriate updates and changes.
Conducts training, facilitates meetings and workgroups, and prepares and conducts presentations.
Oversees, studies, and analyzes program issues, prepares reports and presents recommendations.
Consults with and guides program staff providing consultative services and technical assistance in the planning, development, implementation, and monitoring of programs and services.
Consults with public and private agencies involved in the program to identify needs, develop plans, and consult on program delivery.
Analyzes the variations within programs and develops plans to improve PEI efficiency.
Analyzes program data to provide instruction, guidance, and technical assistance to programs.
Collects, organizes, analyzes, and prepares material in response to requests for program information.
Determines program statistics and trends and proposes related recommendations, plans, and activities.
Develops program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals in accordance with program objectives and goals.
Consults and works collaboratively with other state agencies and partners in workgroups and initiatives.
Provides guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.
Evaluates program operations, budget alignment, and program budget requests.
Travels, attends in person meetings, and conducts site visits as required.
Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:
Knowledge and experience managing projects, workgroups, and multiple priorities.
Knowledge of grant processes, policies, and procedures.
Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and regulations.
Knowledge of fiscal and budgeting techniques and practices.
Skill in identifying activities to meet program goals and objectives.
Skill in identifying and connecting with stakeholders and community partners.
Expertise in analyzing organizational challenges and developing approaches to address them.
Expertise in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships to gain and keep a high level of trust, confidence, and respect.
Ability to explain information, champion ideas, and negotiate and collaborate with individuals and groups, externally and internally.
Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze information.
Ability to prepare clear and concise reports, presentations, and written materials.
Ability to develop and evaluate policies and procedures.
Ability to establish, define, and set priorities.
Ability to plan, assign, and supervise the work of others.
Ability to manage change, balance consistency, adjust and respond to changing job priorities and continually strive to improve services.
Knowledge and experience with systems impacting child and family well-being.
Knowledge of programs related to home visiting, parent education, other evidence-based or promising practice prevention programs or direct service experience in the above areas is preferred.

Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Not applicable.

Initial Selection Criteria:
Experience in child and family services, social work, working with parents and caregivers, program operations, child development, counseling or other related area. Knowledge of program planning and development. Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university.
Two years full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, social service, professional or technical work which must include:

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

Planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, or including interpretation of complex written material.

Additional Information:

MOS Code:
No military equivalent.

As a state agency, DFPS is required 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.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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 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.