CPI Alternative Response Worker Trainee

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Copperas Cove, TX

114d • $3,816 - $5,372

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. The position, under the direction of a child placement supervisor, performs advanced social work related to protective services, intake, child abuse or neglect, assessment, Alternative Response, foster care and adoptions. Work involves making determinations of appropriate actions necessary to resolve family emotional and/or physical stress situations which cause child abuse or neglect. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff, clients, representatives from various organizations, community resources, and the general public.

Requirements

• An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience.
• Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of family dynamics.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of extensive engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of Child Protective Services policy and procedures.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with other professionals in the community.

Responsibilities

• Determines the causes/factors of abuse/neglect to children to assess current or future risk to children by gathering information from parents, family members, and others; interviewing and examining children; assessing home environment; and gathering pertinent information from other sources.
• Collaborates and works with the family to determine strengths, needs and action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include referring family for crisis intervention therapy or other community resources, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, and placing children in substitute care.
• Enters contact, documentation information and narratives into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System within required agency time frames.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships between families, Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources, to achieve a positive outcome.
• Attends and participates in training/meetings/staffings.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among families, coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Benefits

• Excellent health benefits
• Special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program
• Longevity pay
• Generous paid leave
• Access to the Wellness program
• Lifetime retirement annuity
• Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree