CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Odessa, TX

2d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) hires CPS Conservatorship Workers to serve as conservators for children removed from their homes and placed in CPS care. Workers monitor children’s welfare, coordinate services, and work with children, parents, relatives, caregivers, courts, and community partners to achieve a safe, permanent living arrangement for each child. The role may be filled at levels I through IV, with salary determined in part by education and experience. Newly hired employees with a master’s degree in social work may qualify for a higher starting salary.

This is a full-time, regular, nonexempt position based in Odessa, with Midland listed as another location. It is not eligible for telework and operates in a mobile-work model, with most work performed away from the office using mobile technology. The posting indicates travel of up to 85%; the description also anticipates being on the road about 60% of the time, with occasional out-of-region and overnight travel. The worker must be able to attend visits, appointments, and meetings after 5 p.m., work irregular hours, and participate in a rotating on-call schedule.

The role requires use of the employee’s personal motor vehicle, a reliable vehicle, an acceptable five-year driving record, and a current, valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and its passenger or cargo load. Proof of license, insurance, and driving record is required. Applicants selected for hire must pass applicable background and driver-record checks, drug screening, and an FBI fingerprint check.

DFPS describes Community-Based Care (CBC) as a planned transition that may affect this position. The posting states that the job duties and function may transition from a state DFPS position to a private, nonprofit Single Source Continuum Contractor, and that the office location may change within the same county before 2029. The position also requires employees to follow agency security and accessibility policies, including familiarity with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 requirements for electronic information resources.

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 may be paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus one of the following: employment as a CPS Specialist I for nine months and CPS Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist II; or current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Investigations Specialist II.
• For Worker III, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus one of the following: employment as a CPS Specialist II for nine months and Advanced CPS Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist III; or current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Investigations Specialist III.
• For Worker IV, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus one of the following: employment as a CPS Specialist III for 24 months and Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist IV; or current or previous employment as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Problem-solving skills.
• 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 work irregular hours and participate in a rotating on-call schedule.
• Ability to work in an emotionally intense environment and conduct visits in isolated or high-crime areas, potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions; 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, background check, applicable driver-record check, and FBI fingerprint check.
• Must comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system usage policies and be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility requirements for electronic information resources.

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 have been removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship and out-of-home care.
• Determine each child’s needs and make appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, and further assessments, ensuring services support 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 people important to the child and family.
• Search for potential kinship providers throughout the case and complete home studies of relatives or family friends who may care for the child.
• Meet with parents to assess risk and safety, identify behavior changes needed for child safety, refer parents to appropriate services, and discuss progress toward change.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, and foster homes in public locations and in their homes.
• Collaborate with placement teams, including kinship staff, to arrange placements as needed.
• Participate in meetings and conferences at times and locations convenient for family members and other case participants.
• 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 about the child’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 providing case updates, responding to calls, and, in some areas, being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at designated times.
• Transition children home during reunification services and support the family until the legal case closes.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is finalized or the case is transferred to an adoption caseworker.
• Manage time effectively 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 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% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to contribute to 401(k) and 457 plans.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts, including gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• May qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Eligible employees may receive a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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