Information Specialist IV (AUSTIN, TX)

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: Information Specialist IV 
Job Title: Information Specialist IV 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Creative Engagement Division 
Posting Number: 17774 
Closing Date: 08/08/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Business and Financial Operations 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $5,666.67 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
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: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 4900 N LAMAR BLVD 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 4502,4503,4505,4511,4512,4591,8055,165X,35PX,3N0X6,46A,46S,46Z,INF,MC,PA,SEI13 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

This position is part of the Policy Editorial Team within the DFPS Communications Office. The position performs editorial reviews of DFPS policies and forms, using plain language principles to produce clear information for DFPS staff, stakeholders, and the public. The position also formats documents, publishes policy on the agency’s websites, and completes other writing and editing duties, as assigned.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Edits DFPS policies and forms to ensure they follow the agency’s in-house style guide, plain language guidance, and professional standards and collaborates with subject matter experts to ensure edited content is accurate and appropriate for staff. (50 percent)

Performs other tasks necessary to ensure policies meet the agency’s standards, such as formatting documents using in-house styles, updating hyperlinks, summarizing policy changes, and documenting affected sections. (25 percent)

Uses web publication software to publish policies on DFPS’s public website and intranet, and performs post-publication tasks, such as archiving records and announcing policy changes by email. (10 percent)

Uses a Salesforce database to document progress through the editorial process, produce accurate status reports, and prioritize assignments. (5 percent)

Performs other writing and editing tasks in various types of media, including print materials, the agency’s electronic newsletter, and other web content. (5 percent)

Performs other duties as assigned. (5 percent)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of technical writing and editing.
• Knowledge of plain language principles and skill in applying them.
• Knowledge of DFPS programs and operations.
• Advanced skill in using Microsoft Word.
• Skill in using Adobe Dreamweaver or other web publication software.
• Skill in documenting technical processes and activities.
• Skill in creating and recognizing presentable layout for documents and webpages.
• Ability to collaborate and establish effective working relationships in a team environment.
• Ability to engage in effective communications across multiple teams.
• Ability to understand complex written material and present it clearly for a variety of audiences.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements, or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in English, communications, journalism, technical writing, education, or a related field from an accredited institution.

Experience in technical writing, documentation, journalism, communications, or content development.

Experience and education may be substituted for each other on a year-for-year basis.

Experience using a writing style guide.

Experience editing the work of others.

Experience using Microsoft Word.

Preferred Qualifications:

Three or more years of full-time experience in technical writing, documentation, journalism, communications, content development, or similar work.

Experience using other Microsoft Office Suite products (in addition to Word).

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 [email protected] 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.