CPS Conservatorship Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Waco, TX

8d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) CPS Conservatorship Worker serves as a conservator for children removed from their homes and placed in CPS care. The worker monitors the children’s welfare and works with children, parents, relatives, caregivers, and legal parties to help secure a safe, permanent living arrangement. The position may be filled at the Conservatorship Worker I, II, III, or IV level, with starting 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.

The role is based in Waco and is not eligible for telework. It is a mobile position, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology. The posting lists travel of up to 75%; the description says employees can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time, with frequent travel within and outside the assigned region, occasional last-minute travel, and some overnight travel. The schedule is day shift, but the worker must be able to attend appointments after 5 p.m., work irregular hours, and participate in rotating on-call coverage.

The role requires a reliable personal vehicle, a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, and proof of license, insurance, and driving record. Applicants selected for hire must pass applicable background and driver-record checks, drug screening, and the required FBI fingerprint check. The position may transition to a private nonprofit Single Source Continuum Contractor as Community-Based Care is implemented; the office location may change within the same county before 2029.

DFPS offers eligible full-time employees paid health insurance for the employee and partial coverage for eligible family members; retirement plans, including 401(k) and 457 savings options; paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave; optional dental, vision, and life insurance; flexible spending accounts; and employee discounts. Employees may also qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. DFPS offers a certification program intended to support professional development and career advancement, with opportunities for additional compensation.

Requirements

• For Conservatorship 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 include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, including work with social service agencies or communities serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist I for nine months and CPS Specialist Certification; current or prior employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II.
• For Worker III, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist II for nine months and Advanced CPS Specialist Certification; current or prior employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III.
• For Worker IV, in addition to the listed education and experience pathways: employment as a CPS Specialist III for 24 months and Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification; current or prior employment as a Texas DFPS CPS Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV.
• 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, work-related appointments, and meetings after 5 p.m.
• Ability to work irregular hours and participate in rotating on-call coverage.
• Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment and conduct visits in isolated or high-crime areas, potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Reliable personal motor vehicle and acceptable driving record for the past five years.
• Current, valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, and ability to provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Selected applicants must pass drug screening, applicable background and driver-record checks, and an FBI fingerprint check.
• Ability to travel frequently, including occasional last-minute travel outside assigned counties and some overnight travel.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including frequently standing, hearing, and talking; occasionally climbing; and exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds frequently.
• Ability to work in a mobile environment and tolerate occasional adverse conditions such as extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases, and heights.

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, 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 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 appropriate services, and discuss progress toward those changes.
• Meet with children, parents, family friends, and foster homes in public places 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 beforehand, prepare court reports, and testify about the child’s needs, family progress, and the department’s efforts toward permanency.
• 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 ensuring they have needed information and resources, returning calls, and, in some areas and at certain times, being available 24 hours a day, seven 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.
• 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 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 options.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
• Employee discounts, including discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program opportunities for professional development, career advancement, and additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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