CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • CROSBY, TX

4d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is hiring a CPS Conservatorship Worker to serve children placed in CPS conservatorship after removal from their homes. The worker is legally responsible for supporting children’s welfare, monitoring their care, and working with parents, extended family, caregivers, legal parties, and community resources to help each child achieve a safe, permanent living arrangement. The role may be filled at Worker I through Worker IV, with starting level and salary potentially based on education and experience.

The position is based in Crosby, Texas, is full-time, and is not eligible for telework. It operates in a mobile unit, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology. The posting indicates travel of up to 85%; additional information describes frequent travel, typically about 60% of the time, including travel outside assigned counties and some overnight travel. The worker may need to attend visits and appointments after 5 p.m., work irregular hours, and take rotating on-call shifts. The position requires use of the employee’s personal motor vehicle and a current, valid Texas driver’s license, acceptable driving record, and proof of insurance.

The role involves working in emotionally demanding situations and may include home visits in isolated or high-crime areas or homes with substandard or unsanitary conditions. The work is mobile and may involve exposure to extreme heat, wetness, humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases, and heights. Newly hired employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone. Newly hired employees with a master’s degree in social work may qualify for an increase at hire.

DFPS offers a certification program intended to develop employee skills and support career advancement, including the opportunity to earn additional compensation. The role may transition, along with its duties and function, from a state DFPS position to a private nonprofit Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC) as Community-Based Care is implemented. The office location may change within the same county before 2029. Applicants considered for employment must pass drug screening and applicable background, fingerprint, and driver-record checks.

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.
• 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 prior DFPS employment as a CPS Specialist II or CPS 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 prior DFPS employment as a CPS Specialist III or CPS 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 prior DFPS employment as a CPS Specialist IV or CPS Investigations Specialist IV.
• Relevant social, human, or protective services experience may include paid or volunteer work with social service agencies or communities serving families or other at-risk populations.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain 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 be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment, including possible home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Must use a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions and have 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.
• Must pass drug screening; applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check. A fingerprint check is required for conservatorship staff or applicants.
• Must complete required security and cybersecurity training and follow agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for electronic information resources.
• Must provide documentation of identity and authorization to work in the United States for I-9 and E-Verify requirements.

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 newly hired employees for an increase at the point of hire.

Responsibilities

• Receive cases from investigators after children are removed from their homes, placed in CPS conservatorship, and placed in care outside their homes.
• Determine each child’s needs and arrange appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, or 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, family members, and other people identified as important to 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 to ensure child safety, refer parents to appropriate services, 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, 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 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 and at certain times, being available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• 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.
• Use effective time-management skills to complete key tasks.
• Document case records by completing forms, narratives, and reports for each client.
• 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.

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 plan options.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program with professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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