CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Victoria, TX

1d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works with families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe through investigations, services, and referrals. After a family has been investigated, a Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) worker helps the family make changes to protect children from abuse and neglect and keep them safe at home. The worker provides time-limited in-home services using agency, community, and extended-family resources.

This role may be filled at any level from Family Based Safety Services Worker Specialist I through IV, with starting salary informed by education and experience. The position is based in a mobile unit: most work is performed outside the office using mobile technology, such as a tablet. The worker operates independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. DFPS assigns a cellular phone to newly hired employees in eligible positions.

The work involves frequent travel to homes and offices within and outside the assigned region, with travel expected to account for about 60% of work time. Some trips may be last-minute or outside assigned counties, and some overnight travel is required, including for initial training and as cases demand. The position is not eligible for telework and requires flexible hours, on-call availability on a rotating basis, and the ability to work irregular hours.

The role requires a reliable personal vehicle, a current and valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and load, an acceptable driving record for the past five years, and proof of license, driving record, and insurance. Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driving-record check.

The position requires a bachelor's degree, or specified combinations of college credits or an associate degree and relevant experience. Preferred qualifications include a related degree, relevant professional or volunteer experience, and familiarity with trauma-informed care or experience interviewing or assessing children and families. Newly hired employees with a master's degree in social work may qualify for an increased hiring salary. DFPS provides a certification program intended to support skill development and career advancement, with opportunities for additional compensation.

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 serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II: the Worker I education and experience qualifications, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for nine months and Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker III: the Worker I education and experience qualifications, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for nine months and Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker IV: the Worker I education and experience qualifications, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months and Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV at Texas DFPS.
• 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 be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotionally charged environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Reliable personal motor vehicle; acceptable driving record for the past five years; current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load; and proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driving-record check.
• Must complete applicable security and cybersecurity training and comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system policies.
• Must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for creating accessible electronic information resources.
• Must provide I-9 documentation showing identity and authorization to work in the United States.

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 a newly hired employee for an increased salary at hire.

Responsibilities

• Respond quickly in crisis situations.
• Provide time-limited in-home services tailored to family needs, identify insufficient protective capacities, develop treatment plans, use appropriate resources to minimize risk and protect children, and maintain contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
• Assess child safety and take appropriate actions to protect children, which may include removal from the family.
• Interact objectively with caretakers who have abused or neglected children in their care.
• Discuss sensitive family issues, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Engage with family members who may be angry or scared while maintaining objectivity and empathic understanding.
• Identify resources and community support available to families.
• Help parents recognize behaviors that lead to child abuse or neglect and identify necessary behavioral changes.
• Determine and take action to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying family members who can help keep a child safe, seeking emergency protective services through court testimony, arranging substitute care, or referring a family for crisis intervention or other community resources.
• Gather family and kinship information to support a child in placement if the child enters DFPS custody.
• Document relevant information gathered during the investigation and complete required forms accurately and on time.
• Work flexible hours beyond 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday; attend visits and appointments after 5 p.m.; and be available for rotating on-call duty and irregular hours.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources.
• Attend and participate in trainings, meetings, and staffings.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promote and demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and work-related contacts.
• Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Travel frequently to homes, offices, visits, appointments, and meetings, including outside the assigned region and occasionally overnight.
• Use mobile technology while working away from the office.

Benefits

• 100% employer-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 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.
• Employee discounts, including gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program with opportunities to earn additional compensation through professional development.

What This Job Offers

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