CPS CVS Spec I-IV Adoption Preparation Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Conroe, TX

6d • $4,020 - $6,336 • Onsite

About The Position

The Adoption Preparation Worker provides permanent planning and placement services to children who have experienced abuse or neglect. Under the supervision of a CVS supervisor, the worker recruits, trains, studies, licenses, and develops foster and adoptive homes; supports families and children with separation and attachment issues; identifies placement options for specific children; and recommends placements. The position may participate in investigations involving foster or adoptive families and may assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by collecting and reviewing information about children available for adoption, preparing website information, responding to calls, screening prospective adoptive families, and referring them to assigned caseworkers. The role involves regular interaction with agency staff, children, foster and adoptive parents, child placement agencies, attorneys, court personnel, therapists, and other state agencies.

The position is based in Conroe, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and operates in a mobile unit. Most work is conducted away from the office using mobile technology, such as a tablet, while working independently and remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. The role requires frequent travel to homes and offices, with the posting indicating travel up to 80% and describing road travel of about 60%; some overnight and out-of-region travel may be required. Services may be provided after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.

The position may be affected by the Community-Based Care transition. The posting states that duties and the role may shift from DFPS to a private, nonprofit Single Source Continuum Contractor before 2029, and the office location may change within the same county. Hiring is subject to drug screening, background checks, and required fingerprint checks. Applicants must have reliable personal transportation, an acceptable driving record, and a valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load.

Requirements

• For Worker III, meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: an accredited bachelor's degree; an accredited associate's degree plus two years of relevant work experience; 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 serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker III, have been employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for nine months and received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or currently or previously have been employed by Texas DFPS as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III.
• Knowledge of good child placement practices.
• Skills in preparing children for adoptive placements and developing and maintaining professional working relationships.
• Ability to support families dealing with separation and attachment issues; assess a child's needs and progress in placement; maintain timely documentation and manage a caseload effectively; communicate clearly and concisely; and assess children's current situations for possible abuse or neglect.
• Have a reliable personal motor 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; provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Pass required drug screening, background checks, and FBI fingerprint check.
• Work regularly in a mobile environment and travel frequently, including occasional overnight and out-of-region travel; be available to provide services after normal working hours and on weekends.

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

• Recruit, identify, and match children with prospective adoptive families and provide services to children in adoptive placement.
• Recruit, train, complete studies, license, and develop foster and adoptive families.
• Support children and families in addressing separation and attachment issues in preparation for permanent placements.
• Actively seek placement options for specific children and recommend placements.
• Maintain sufficient case documentation, including forms and narratives, to provide a complete and accurate written record.
• Build and maintain communication and working relationships within the program, region, and community groups.
• Conduct assessments of children's and families' current life situations to determine whether child abuse or neglect is present.
• Participate in abuse and neglect investigations related to foster and adoptive families as assigned.
• When needed, assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by gathering and reviewing information about children available for adoption, preparing website information, fielding calls, screening families interested in adoption, and forwarding information to assigned caseworkers.
• Provide services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy, promote respect for cultural diversity, and perform other duties as assigned or required to maintain unit operations.

Benefits

• Health insurance paid 100% for the employee and 50% for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with optional 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 on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and opportunities to earn additional compensation.
• Eligible newly hired DFPS employees will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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