Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION; Midland (TX); On-site; USD 45,000 - 71,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation

Sick leave

Flexible spending accounts

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Faith-Based & Community Engagement Specialist at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services leads partnerships with faith-based and community groups to support CPS and CPI goals. You will develop programs, provide training, and coordinate volunteer efforts across local and regional levels.

Requires a Bachelor's degree and at least four years in community engagement or related fields. Travel up to 40% and nonexempt, day shift, with a focus on outreach and public education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Minimum of four years in community engagement, faith-based partnerships, volunteer management and/or CPS/CPI work.
• Education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.
• Strong communication and public speaking abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain partnerships with faith-based and community partners to meet client needs and support CPS/CPI goals.
• Identify and forecast service needs and meet with faith/community leaders.
• Coordinate and facilitate internal/external meetings and work groups.
• Serve as liaison to community and faith-based organizations and provide technical assistance and policy guidance.
• Develop and maintain intra-agency relationships and manage volunteer/intern programs.
• Prepare monthly/annual reports for the division.
• Attend meetings and maintain regular schedule as per leave policy.

Skills

Public speaking

Written communication

Verbal communication

Community engagement

Volunteer management

Policy guidance

Training development

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

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: Faith-Based and Community Engagement Specialist Job Title: FBCE Specialist III Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc Department: FAITH-BASED & COMMUNITY ENGMT Posting Number: 21486 Closing Date: 10/23/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Protective Services Salary Range: $4,020.33- $6,335.66 Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19 Shift: Day

Additional Shift

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 40% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location

Job Location City: MIDLAND

Job Location Address: 3401 NORTH A ST

Other Locations: Odessa

MOS Codes: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS

Brief Job Description

The Faith-Based & Community Engagement Specialist performs complex consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves coordinating, developing, implementing, and analyzing specialized projects and programs. Increase the number of faith-based and community groups involved in Child Protective Services and Investigations (CPS/CPI) programs at the local, regional and state level. Develops and maintains collaborative working relationships between DFPS and local faith-based and community groups to ensure client needs are met and to support CPS and CPI goals and objectives. Provides consultation and assistance to governmental agencies, community organizations, faith-based and community leaders, and the public. Develops and maintains collaborative intra-agency relationships. Manages local and/or regional volunteer and intern programs. Conducts a community relations program through media outlets and personal speaking engagements. Develops educational and training materials and programs. May train, mentor or supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgement.

Essential Job Functions

Develop and maintain partnerships with faith-based and community partners to ensure client needs are met and to support CPS and CPI goals and objectives. Identify and forecast service needs. Meet with individual faith and community leaders. Coordinate and facilitate internal and external meetings and work groups. Serve as the liaison to and collaborate with community and faith-based organizations, professional groups, and local public officials, provide technical assistance, training and policy guidance to agency staff and external stakeholders. Develops and maintains collaborative intra-agency relationships. (30%)

Develops and manages local and/or regional volunteer and intern programs. Manages volunteer and intern opportunities in an on-line volunteer platform. Processes volunteer and intern applications and background checks. Matches agency needs with volunteer and intern skills. Monitors and evaluates volunteer and intern performance. (30%)

Coordinates a community relations program through media outlets and personal speaking engagements. Coordinates the preparation of educational and training materials and programs that educate the community about the work of DFPS. Make presentations at faith-based events and community gatherings. Promote agency public awareness campaigns. (20%)

Tracks any donations and/or contributions that are received or distributed. Ensures that contributions and donations are acknowledged in a proper manner. (10%)

Prepares monthly and annual reports for the Faith-Based and Community Engagement Division. (5%) Attends internal staff meetings. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned. (5%)

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge of community resources and services available for children and families.

Skilled in dealing with the general public both virtually and in person.

Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with the public, faith-based and community organizations.

Skilled in public speaking and developing presentations.

Skilled in effective written and verbal communication.

Skilled in the use of a computer and applicable software such as Microsoft suite.

Ability to work with diverse populations including DFPS staff and leadership, media, community partners, faith communities and the general public.

Ability to develop, coordinate, and promote volunteer programs.

Ability to develop training.

Ability to identify resources conducive to volunteer programs

Ability to explain policies and procedures

Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally.

Ability to organize, plan and set priorities in a timely manner.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

None

Initial Screening Criteria

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Minimum of four years’ experience in community engagement, faith-based partnerships, volunteer management and/or Child Protective Investigations and/or Child Protective Services work.

Education and experience may be substituted 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 Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at [e-mail] 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: .

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.