Senior Advisor

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: Senior Advisor

Job Title: Project Manager V

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: Chief Operating Officer

Posting Number: 18562

Closing Date: 08/30/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations

Salary Range: $7,716.66 - $9,583.34

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-28

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 5%

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,1D7X1,32EX,3D0X4,611X,612X,63A,63AX,641X,712X,8K000,BU,CE,EA,SEI16

Brief Job Description:

A strategic, results-driven leader to serve as Senior Advisor to the Chief Operating Officer (COO), leading high-impact initiatives that drive operational excellence across the agency. This role provides an opportunity to influence enterprise-wide strategy, oversee complex projects, and strengthen organizational performance through collaboration, innovation, and strong leadership.

Reporting directly to the COO, this position collaborates with executive leadership to support and guide cross-divisional initiatives, manage large-scale programs, and ensure alignment with agency priorities. This role provides direct supervision of Project Managers and staff, with responsibility for delivering measurable results, fostering professional development, and promoting a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Supervision and Leadership: Supervise, mentor, and evaluate Project Managers and staff, fostering collaboration, accountability, professional development, and high performance.

Strategic and Executive Leadership: Serve as a senior advisor and representative of the COO's office, contributing and guiding strategic decision-making and aligning initiatives with organizational priorities.

Project and Program Management: Lead multiple complex, enterprise-level projects using established methodologies, ensuring alignment with goals, resources, scope, timelines, budgets, and quality expectations, while monitoring progress, managing change and delivery of high-quality outcomes.

Planning, Operations, and Policy Oversight: Develop and implement project plans, oversee programs and workgroups to enhance efficiency, program outcomes, and ensure policies and procedures support strategic planning, compliance, and operational effectiveness.

Stakeholder Coordination and Communication: Collaborate with internal teams, external partners, and stakeholders while facilitating consistent and transparent stakeholder engagement, briefings, reporting, and executive-level communications.

Performance, Financial, and Risk Management: Establish and monitor performance metrics, ensure financial accountability and resources, identify and address risks, changes, and process improvements to ensure successful outcomes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Project management principles, methodologies, and best practices across varying levels of complexity (limited to highly complex projects)
• Applicable local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and compliance requirements related to program and project activities

Skill in:

• Managing multiple projects, monitoring performance, and adapting to changing priorities
• Communication, facilitation, negotiation, and stakeholder engagement

Ability to:

• Analyze complex information, identify risks, and develop effective solutions
• Develop reports, dashboards, and presentations to support decision-making
• Supervise, assign work, and coordinate team activities effectively

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

• Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred

Initial Selection Criteria:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a relevant field.
• 5 years' experience in project management, including leadership of complex or multi-level initiatives.
• A minimum of 2 years' experience in supervising teams.
• Experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.

Additional Information: N/A

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.