Job/Position DescriptionResearch Specialist V**This position will be headquartered in Regions 8 or 11 only. The Research Specialist V (RS-V) will be part of the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Office of Data and Systems Improvement (ODSI) and report to the APS Manager of Analytics for Change and Enhancement (ACE). ODSI works to build a preeminent system for protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by partnering with DFPS leadership to continuously and proactively improve the agencyand#146;s processes, practices, and functioning to ensure optimal outcomes for the people the agency serves.The Research Specialist V (RS-V) works with district/regional APS leadership to strategically use data to identify what parts of the system are working well and areas to target for improvement. The RS-V then works with staff to explore district/regional details of the people, policy, and process to find out why particular areas are performing well or need improvement. Working with district/regional leadership and, when appropriate, external stakeholders, the RS-V brainstorms what to do, helps implement plans, and tracks and reports on progress.Essential Job FunctionsWeand#146;re looking for someone who wants to dedicate their talents and abilities to serving and protecting the most vulnerable Texans. Someone who is excited to be a part of an established team of highly skilled, capable, and motivated individuals. We want someone who is intellectually curious, wanting to understand not just what is happening but why, and whoand#146;s not afraid to think outside the box for innovative and new ways of doing things. We need someone who can engage a variety of people across the agency, building strong relationships and support for the work of our division. The specific job functions include:Routine Reporting (20%)Conduct in-depth analyses and evaluations of district performance and initiatives to proactively identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement. When areas needing improvement are identified, support district leadership in understanding root causes and implementing continuous quality improvement strategies. Developing Tools (20%)Identify and create tools or reports that encourage work efficiency and data-driven decision making.Presentations and Meetings (35%)Present and explain complex data analysis in a way that is easily understandable and engaging for someone with limited knowledge of technical terms or analytical jargon. Support and coach district/regional management in making and sustaining needed cultural, process, organizational, and other changes, prioritizing areas for improvement based on analysis and research.Facilitate a collaborative approach to designing and implementing process, organizational, and other changes.Help promote communication throughout assigned regions and effectively communicate with Division of Systems Improvement leadership and staff.Ad Hoc Requests (25%)Use data to track district/regional implementation progress and outcomes and help regions make needed adjustments.Implement the divisionand#146;s practice improvement framework for tasks identified by leadership.Registrations, Licensure Requirements or CertificationsNoneKnowledge Skills Abilitiesand#149; Ability to creatively problem solve, including accessing needed resources from multiple areas and sources and helping management think outside the box in developing solutionsand#149; Understanding of and demonstrated skill in project management - specifi https://jobshrportal.hhsc.state.tx.us/ENG/CareerPortal/job_profile.cfm?szOrderID=601320 Copy the URL in the preceding sentence to an Internet Explorer browser to apply to the job directly through the Texas Health and Human Services Career Portal.