CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Round Rock, TX

2d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPS Conservatorship Worker is legally responsible for the welfare of children who have been removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship. The worker monitors children's care, partners with parents, extended family, caregivers, and legal parties, and works toward a permanent, safe living arrangement for each child. The role may be filled at a level from CPS Conservatorship Worker I through IV, with starting salary determined in part by education and experience.

The position is based in Round Rock, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. It is a mobile role in which most work is performed outside the office, using mobile technology such as a tablet. The worker must work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. Frequent travel to homes and offices within and outside the assigned region is required; the posting estimates that the worker will be on the road about 60% of the time and may need to travel outside assigned counties with little notice. Some overnight travel is required, including for initial training and as cases demand. The role also involves irregular hours, possible after-5 p.m. appointments, and rotating on-call availability.

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 for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required. Applicants selected for hire must pass applicable background and driving-record checks, drug screening, and an FBI fingerprint check.

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 services to families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus qualifying DFPS employment and certification: nine months as a CPS Specialist I 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, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus qualifying DFPS employment and certification: nine months as a CPS Specialist II 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, the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus qualifying DFPS employment and certification: 24 months as a CPS Specialist III 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 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 possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a personal motor vehicle; 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. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check; the posting also requires drug screening and an FBI fingerprint check.

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

• Receive cases 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 are made for testing, evaluations, records, or further assessments, with 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 throughout the case 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 for child safety, refer parents to services, and discuss their progress toward making necessary changes.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, or foster homes in public and in their homes.
• Collaborate with the Placement Team, including Kinship staff, on placements as needed.
• Participate in meetings and conferences at times and places 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 case parties before hearings, prepare court reports, and testify about the child's needs, family progress, and the department's permanency efforts.
• Keep the child, parents, caregivers, court-appointed attorney, and guardian 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 keeping them informed, responding to calls, and, in some areas, being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at certain times.
• Transition children home during reunification services and support the family until the legal case closes.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is final or the case transfers to an adoption caseworker.
• Manage time effectively to ensure key tasks are completed.
• 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 community resources.
• Perform other duties as assigned or required to maintain unit operations.
• Promote 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 providing lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with options to save 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, including gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Eligible newly hired DFPS employees are assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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