CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • BEEVILLE, TX

3d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPS Conservatorship Worker is legally responsible for the welfare of children removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship. The worker monitors each child's care and works with children, parents, extended family, caregivers, courts, and other partners to help achieve a safe, permanent living arrangement. Work includes assessing children's needs and safety, arranging services and evaluations, identifying and assessing kinship placements, supporting reunification and adoption, attending court proceedings, and maintaining case records and professional relationships.

The position is based in a mobile unit, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology. It requires frequent travel to homes and offices, substantial independent work, and responsiveness to supervision and the assigned unit. Travel may be local or outside assigned counties, sometimes on short notice, and some overnight travel is required. The posting lists travel of up to 85% and estimates being on the road about 60% of the time. The position is not eligible for telework.

This 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. DFPS describes a possible future transition of the position and its duties from state employment to a community-based-care contractor, with office location subject to change within the same county before 2029. Applicants considered for placement must pass drug screening; selected applicants must pass background checks, and applicable driver-record and FBI fingerprint 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.
• Relevant experience includes paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, such as providing services to families or other at-risk populations through social service agencies or communities.
• For Worker II, III, or IV, meet the applicable education and relevant-experience criteria and the stated DFPS employment and certification pathway for that level.
• 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, 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 home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use a personal motor vehicle to perform job functions; 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; provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Pass required drug screening and applicable background, driver-record, and FBI fingerprint checks.
• Work in a mobile environment, primarily outside the office, and be able to work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit.
• Meet the described physical requirements, including frequent standing, hearing, and talking; occasional climbing; and exertion of up to 20 pounds occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Meet visual requirements for near and distance vision, focusing, color distinction, peripheral vision, and three-dimensional vision.

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 hire.

Responsibilities

• Receive cases from investigators after children are removed from their homes and placed in CPS conservatorship and out-of-home care.
• Determine children's needs and arrange appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, assessments, and services focused on 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 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 safety and risk, identify necessary behavioral changes, refer them to services, and discuss progress toward addressing dangers to their children.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, and foster homes in public settings and in their homes.
• Collaborate with placement teams, including kinship staff, 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 case participants, 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, seven days a week at certain times.
• Transition children home during reunification services and support families 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 working relationships with CPS staff, law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and 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 health insurance for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus 401(k) and 457 savings 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.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• Eligible newly hired DFPS employees will be assigned a cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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