Research Coordinator

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: Research Coordinator 
Job Title: Program Specialist VI 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: ANALYTICS FOR CHANGE ENHAN/ACE 
Posting Number: 21129 
Closing Date: 09/22/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Life, Physical, and Social Science 
Salary Range: $5,098.66 - $7,000.00 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-23 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: 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: 16GX,60C0,611X,612X,63G0,641X,712X,86M0,8U000,OS,OSS,PERS,YN,YNS 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is looking for a Research Coordinator to join the Applied Research team within the Office of Data and Systems Improvement (ODSI)'s Analytics for Change and Enhancement (ACE) Division. This team sits at the intersection of rigorous research and real-world social work practice. Your work will directly shape how external researchers and internal programs collaborate to conduct research that supports Texas's children, adults, and families.

As the Research Coordinator, you will manage requests from external researchers and institutions seeking to study DFPS programs or access agency data, guiding each request from initial review through approval and completion. If you are detail-oriented, enjoy building relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, and want your work to shape how research gets done at DFPS, we want to hear from you.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

We'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 detail-oriented and process-minded, who can navigate ambiguity to keep research requests moving, and who's comfortable serving as a trusted point of contact for both internal staff and external researchers. We need someone who can engage a variety of people across the agency as well as with external stakeholders, building strong relationships and support for the work of our division.

The specific job functions include:

• Coordinate and manage requests from external researchers and institutions to conduct research on DFPS programs or access agency data, guiding requestors through the agency's review and approval process.
• Serve as the primary liaison between external researchers and DFPS programs, explaining agency policies and processes and helping requestors refine study designs to meet program and data-use requirements.
• Review research proposals, data use agreements, memoranda of understanding (MOUs), letters of support, and related documentation for completeness and compliance with agency policy; route materials to the appropriate reviewers and track requests to completion.
• Monitor active research studies, building relationships with external researchers and facilitating timely response to their questions.
• Conduct literature reviews to inform research best practices and prepare special project reports.
• Represent the Applied Research team in cross-agency collaborations and with external partners, building relationships that expand the team's reach and impact.
• Support the Applied Research team's coordination of research and evaluation activities, including scheduling and supporting interviews, focus groups, and other data collection efforts, as well as preparing documents to submit to Institutional Review Boards.
• Assist in planning, organizing, and facilitating internal and external meetings related to research and evaluation projects.
• Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge Skills Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Research and evaluation concepts and methods, including study design, data collection, and analysis approaches.
• Social service and/or government systems, including familiarity with DFPS programs and the populations they serve.
• Local, state, and federal laws, regulations, and policies governing research access to agency data and populations.

Skill in:

• Reviewing research proposals, data use agreements, and related documentation for completeness and compliance with agency policy.
• Managing multiple concurrent requests, setting priorities, and keeping deliverables on track.
• Customer service and collaboration, with experience building relationships across internal and external stakeholder groups.
• Coordinating logistics for research and evaluation activities, such as scheduling and supporting interviews, focus groups, and related meetings.
• Use of a computer and applicable software to track and manage research requests and related documentation.

Ability to:

• Communicate clearly in writing and verbally for diverse audiences, including translating complex research and policy requirements into understandable terms.
• Interpret and apply agency policies, procedures, and standards related to the research review process
• Exercise initiative and independent judgment in resolving moderately complex issues under limited supervision.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university.
• Experience conducting research and/or coordinating research requests, program evaluation activities, or related consultative work.

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 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.