About the role
Position: Sr. Manager, Transportation, PAL & LPS Comparable DFPS Position: Program Director, PAL/Court Classification: Full-time, Exempt Reports to: Client Support Program Administrator Company: Texans Together
Location: Regions 6a and/or 6b (Specific work locations will be assigned and communicated as staffing plans are finalized)
Position Description:
The Sr. Manager of Transportation, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), and Local Permanency Services (LPS) provides strategic leadership and operational oversight through a hope-centered, strengths-based approach that promotes safety, belonging, stability, and permanency for children, youth, young adults, and families. This position supervises program leadership and ensures services are delivered safely, timely, consistently, and in compliance with agency policies, contractual requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations while helping teams identify possibilities, build resilience, and support meaningful connections within the SSCC network.
Primary Responsibilities: * Provides hope-centered leadership, direction, and oversight for Transportation, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), and Local Permanency Services (LPS), including supervision and development of program supervisors, coordinators, specialists, and support staff. * Plans, directs, and evaluates program operations to ensure service-delivery expectations, performance measures, contractual obligations, and organizational goals are achieved. * Establishes and maintains consistent procedures, workflows, performance expectations, and accountability measures across assigned programs. * Monitors staffing, workloads, service demands, and resource needs, including transportation and visitation assignments, PAL services, and out-of-region placement responsibilities. * Selects, develops, coaches, and evaluates staff through regular supervision, performance management, case consultation, data review, and corrective action, as appropriate. * Evaluates program quality and effectiveness through case reviews, documentation audits, operational reports, performance data, stakeholder feedback, and observation of service delivery. * Ensures Transportation services provide safe, timely, and appropriate transportation for children, youth, young adults, and families to authorized appointments, placements, visits, and activities. * Oversees PAL program implementation to ensure eligible youth and young adults receive developmentally appropriate guidance, life-skills development, transitional support, and opportunities that strengthen confidence, supportive connections, and preparation for adulthood. * Monitors PAL service delivery and contractual requirements and partners with contract-management staff to address provider performance, service needs, and compliance concerns. * Oversees follow-up and support services for eligible youth and young adults transitioning from foster care and supports regional and statewide youth conferences, experiential learning opportunities, and other PAL-related activities. * Ensures LPS services meet requirements for children and youth placed outside their region of legal jurisdiction, including required monthly visits and appropriate assessment of placement safety, stability, and well-being. * Ensures LPS staff respond appropriately to placement concerns and crises and collaborate with primary conservatorship caseworkers and other partners to support permanency, healing, placement stability, and lifelong connections. * Provides consultation and direction on complex cases, safety concerns, placement issues, service barriers, program escalations, and other matters requiring management-level intervention. * Interprets, implements, and communicates applicable policies, procedures, standards, contractual requirements, and program expectations to staff and relevant stakeholders. * Develops and maintains effective partnerships with children, youth, young adults, families, caregivers, providers, contractors, DFPS, courts, schools, medical professionals, community organizations, and other child-welfare partners. * Analyzes program data and outcomes to identify trends, compliance concerns, service gaps, risks, and resource needs and develops or oversees corrective and continuous-improvement strategies. * Prepares and presents program reports, performance updates, recommendations, and other information to organizational leadership and appropriate internal and external stakeholders. * Participates in budget planning, resource allocation, contract monitoring, program development, and strategic planning for assigned service areas. * Leads and participates in multidisciplinary meetings, program reviews, staff meetings, stakeholder discussions, and organizational initiatives that strengthen coordination and outcomes for children, youth, young adults, and families.
Required Qualifications: * Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant experience considered in lieu of education requirement. * Minimum five (5) years' experience in the child welfare field, including Preparation for Adult Living (PAL), Local permanency Services (LPS), Foster care, Conservatorship, or Family-Based Services. * At least three (3) years' supervisory or management experience leading staff, overseeing case workers or supervisory units.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Work Conditions: * Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to work with diverse individuals. * Strong organizational, planning, prioritization, and attention-to-detail skills, with the ability to manage multiple programs, responsibilities, and deadlines. * Strong critical thinking, assessment, and problem‑solving skills. * Ability to work independently while fostering collaboration across departments. * Proficiency with Microsoft Windows, web‑based applications, case management systems, and online research and search tools. * Ability to maintain strict confidentiality and appropriately safeguard client and agency information. * Strong leadership, coaching, and team-building skills with the ability to foster hop-centered practices, recognize strengths, and guide staff toward practical pathways toward improved outcomes.
Working Conditions: * Environment: Office-based * Work Schedule: Monday through Friday during standard business hours. * Travel: Frequent. Reliable transportation required.