CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • BELLVILLE, TX

8d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPS Conservatorship Worker serves as a caseworker for children removed from their homes and placed in Child Protective Services (CPS) conservatorship. The worker is legally responsible for supporting the child’s welfare, monitoring care, and working with children, parents, extended family, caregivers, courts, and community partners to find a safe, permanent living arrangement. The position may be filled at the Child Protective Services Conservatorship Worker I, II, III, or IV level, with starting salary influenced by education and experience. The role is based in Bellville, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and is performed primarily in a mobile environment using technology such as a tablet. Travel is extensive, with the posting listing up to 85% and describing expected travel of about 60%, including occasional overnight travel and trips outside the assigned counties. The position is regular, full-time, nonexempt, and scheduled for the day shift. It requires use of the employee’s personal motor vehicle, a current valid Texas driver’s license, reliable transportation, and an acceptable driving record. Workers may be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours, including appointments after 5 p.m. The position involves work in an emotion-filled environment and may include visits to isolated or high-crime areas and exposure to substandard or unsanitary conditions. Candidates must pass drug screening and applicable background, fingerprint, and driving-record checks. The position may transition to a local Single Source Continuum Contractor as Community-Based Care is implemented; after transition, the office location may change within the same county and the role may become employment with a private nonprofit agency.

Requirements

• For Worker I: 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 includes paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, such as work with social service agencies or communities serving families or other at-risk populations.
• Worker II, III, and IV placements additionally require the applicable prior CPS Specialist level, period of service, and certification, or qualifying current or previous employment in the corresponding CPS or Child Protective Investigations Specialist level, as detailed in the posting.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and use 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 after 5 p.m.
• Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotion-filled environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Must use a personal motor vehicle for 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 is required.
• Must pass required drug screening and applicable background, fingerprint, and driver-record checks.
• Must meet the stated physical requirements, including frequent standing, hearing, and talking; occasional climbing; and the ability to exert up to 20 pounds occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Must comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies and complete related training.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for creating accessible electronic content.
• Must provide acceptable I-9 documentation to verify identity and authorization to work in the United States.

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.
• A master’s degree in social work may qualify a newly hired employee 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 arrange appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, or further assessments, keeping services focused 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, relatives, 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 a child.
• Meet with parents to assess risk and safety, identify behavior changes needed to keep children safe, make service referrals, and discuss progress toward those changes.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, and foster homes in public 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 their needs, wishes, and progress in care.
• Attend and participate in court hearings, contact parties before hearings, prepare court reports, and testify regarding the child’s needs, family progress, and the department’s efforts toward permanency.
• 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 court hearings and trials.
• Support kinship caregivers and foster parents by providing case updates, responding to calls, and, in some areas, being available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at assigned times.
• Support family reunification transitions and continue supporting the family until the legal case closes.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is final or the case is transferred 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 and 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.

Benefits

• 100% employer-paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid coverage for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans that provide lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with additional savings options through 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 expenses.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible 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