CPS Adoption Preparation Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Odessa, TX

6d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPS Adoption Preparation Worker provides permanent planning and placement services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Under the supervision of a CVS supervisor, the worker recruits, trains, studies, licenses, and develops foster and adoptive homes; supports children and families as they prepare for permanent placements; seeks and recommends placement options; and may participate in investigations involving foster or adoptive families. The worker may also assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by gathering and reviewing information about children available for adoption, preparing website information, responding to calls, screening prospective adoptive families, and forwarding information to assigned caseworkers.

The position works routinely with DFPS staff, children, foster and adoptive parents, child placement agencies, lawyers, court personnel, therapists, and other state agencies. It is a mobile role in which most work is conducted away from the office using mobile technology, such as a tablet. The position requires frequent travel to homes and offices, including travel outside the assigned region and occasional overnight travel. The posting describes travel as up to 85%, and also says workers can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time.

The position may be filled at a level from Child Protective Services Conservatorship Worker I through IV, with education and experience potentially affecting starting salary. The role may transition from state employment to a Single Source Continuum Contractor as Community-Based Care is implemented; office location may change within the same county. A drug screening, fingerprint check, background check, and applicable driver’s record check are required for candidates selected for hire.

Requirements

• For Adoption Prep Worker I: an accredited bachelor's degree; or an accredited associate degree plus two years of relevant work experience; or 60 accredited college credit hours plus two years of relevant work experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one year of relevant work experience.
• Relevant work experience may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services through agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
• For Adoption Prep Worker II, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist I for nine months and CPS Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist II or CPS Investigations Specialist II with DFPS.
• For Adoption Prep Worker III, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist II for nine months and Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist III or CPS Investigations Specialist III with DFPS.
• For Adoption Prep Worker IV, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist III for 24 months and Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist IV or CPS Investigations Specialist IV with DFPS.
• Knowledge of good child placement practices.
• Skills in preparing children for adoptive placements and developing and maintaining professional working relationships.
• Ability to support families dealing with separation and attachment issues; assess children's needs and progress in placement; maintain timely documentation and manage a caseload; communicate clearly and concisely; and assess children's current life situations for possible abuse or neglect.
• Must use a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions and have reliable transportation, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Proof of driving record, insurance, and license must be provided.
• Must provide proof of identity and authorization to work in the United States and comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies and related training.
• Must pass required drug screening and background checks; a driver’s record check applies when relevant. A fingerprint check is required for CVS and Foster/Adoption home direct delivery staff or applicants being considered for employment.
• Must be able to travel frequently, including outside assigned counties and occasional overnight travel, and work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit.
• Must be able to meet the described physical requirements, including frequent standing, hearing, and talking; occasional climbing; occasional exertion up to 20 pounds and frequent exertion up to 10 pounds; and the stated visual requirements.
• Must be able to work in a mobile environment and occasionally encounter adverse conditions such as extreme heat, wetness, humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases, and heights.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Education, or Public Health.
• Previous professional or volunteer experience in a government agency, nonprofit, child protection, foster care, juvenile justice, mental health, or substance abuse services.
• Familiarity with trauma-informed care or experience conducting interviews or assessments with children and families.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, identify, and match children with prospective adoptive families, and provide services to children in adoptive placement.
• Recruit, train, complete studies for, license, and develop foster and adoptive families.
• Maintain sufficient case documentation, including forms and narratives, to create a complete and accurate written record.
• Build and maintain communication and working relationships within the program, region, and community groups to support agency objectives.
• Assess the current life situations of children and families to determine whether child abuse or neglect is present.
• Provide services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Support children and families in addressing separation and attachment issues in preparation for permanent placements.
• Seek placement options for specific children and recommend placements.
• Participate in abuse and neglect investigations related to foster and adoptive families as assigned.
• May assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by gathering and reviewing information about children available for adoption, preparing website information, answering calls, screening families, and forwarding information to assigned caseworkers.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promote and demonstrate appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and work-related contacts.
• Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid coverage for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus 401(k) and 457 savings plans.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance at rates described as lower than most private plans.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts, including discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and an opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• Eligible newly hired DFPS employees will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level