CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Conroe, TX

4d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) hires CPS Conservatorship Workers to serve as legally responsible caseworkers for children removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship. They monitor children’s care and work with children, parents, extended family, caregivers, legal parties, and community resources to help each child reach a safe, permanent living arrangement. The role may be filled at levels I through IV, with starting salary determined in part by education and experience. Newly hired employees with a Master’s degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at hire.

The worker receives cases after removal, assesses children’s needs and family safety, arranges referrals and services, identifies kinship and other permanency resources, and supports reunification or adoption plans. The position includes regular child and family visits, home visits, court participation and documentation, and coordination with attorneys, caregivers, agency staff, and community professionals. Workers are expected to manage cases effectively, maintain respectful working relationships, and attend work regularly.

This is a full-time, regular position based in Conroe, Texas. It is a day-shift role and is not eligible for telework. The position is mobile, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology. Travel is frequent; the posting indicates up to 85%, and further describes travel as about 60% of the time, including travel outside assigned counties, some overnight travel, and occasional short-notice trips. Workers may need to attend appointments and visits after 5 p.m., work irregular hours, and serve on a rotating on-call basis.

The position requires use of the applicant’s personal motor vehicle, a reliable vehicle, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver’s license appropriate to the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required. Applicants selected for hire must pass applicable drug, background, fingerprint, and driver-record checks. The job may transition to a community-based care contractor before 2029; following transition, duties and office location within the same county may change.

Requirements

• An accredited bachelor’s degree; or an accredited associate’s 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 experience may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II consideration: meet the education and experience criteria and have the specified DFPS employment and certification background: employment as a CPS Specialist I for nine months with CPS Specialist Certification, current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist II, or current or prior employment as a CPS Investigations Specialist II.
• For Worker III consideration: meet the education and experience criteria and have the specified DFPS employment and certification background: employment as a CPS Specialist II for nine months with Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist III, or current or prior employment as a CPS Investigations Specialist III.
• For Worker IV consideration: meet the education and experience criteria and have the specified DFPS employment and certification background: employment as a CPS Specialist III for 24 months with Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist IV, or current or prior employment as a CPS Investigations Specialist IV.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and in problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and other work-related appointments and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
• Ability to work irregular hours and serve on a rotating on-call basis.
• Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment, potentially conducting visits in isolated or high-crime areas and encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions; a reliable vehicle, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and load are required. Proof of license, insurance, and driving record must be provided.
• Must pass applicable pre-employment drug screening, background and fingerprint checks, and driver-record check.
• Must comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies and complete related security training.
• Must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for creating accessible electronic information resources.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies, Education, or Public Health.
• 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.
• A Master’s degree in Social Work may qualify newly hired employees for an increase at the point of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receive cases from investigators after children are removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship and out-of-home care.
• Determine each child’s needs and ensure appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, and further assessments; focus services on positive permanency.
• Work with children, families, and communities to plan for a child’s permanency.
• Identify potential permanency resources through ongoing contact with parents, family members, and other important people identified by the child and family.
• Search for potential kinship providers and complete home studies of family members or family friends who may care for the child.
• Meet with parents to assess risk and safety, identify behavior changes needed to protect the child, refer parents to services, and discuss progress toward change.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, and foster homes in public places and in their homes.
• Collaborate with the Placement Team, including Kinship staff, regarding placements as needed.
• Participate in meetings and conferences at times and locations convenient for family members and others involved in the case.
• Visit children monthly to assess their sense of safety, plan for permanency, and discuss needs, wishes, and progress in care.
• Attend and participate in court hearings; contact case parties beforehand, prepare court reports, and testify about children’s needs, family progress, and the department’s permanency efforts.
• Keep children, parents, caregivers, court-appointed attorneys, and guardians ad litem informed about the child’s circumstances and significant events.
• Work with the department’s attorney to prepare for contested hearings and trials.
• Support kinship caregivers and foster parents by ensuring they have needed information and support, including returning calls and, in some areas, being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at certain times.
• Support children’s transitions home during reunification services and continue supporting the family until the legal case closes.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is final or the case transfers to an adoption caseworker.
• Use effective time-management skills to complete key tasks.
• Document case records by completing forms, narratives, and reports for each client.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with CPS staff, law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promote and demonstrate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers, clients, and work-related contacts.
• Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Travel to and attend child and family visits, appointments, and work-related meetings, including after 5 p.m.; be available for rotating on-call duties and irregular hours.

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 optional 401(k) and 457 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 gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree