CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker- Current DFPS Interns Only

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Lake Worth, TX

6d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Worker to help families make changes after an investigation so children can remain safe at home. The worker provides time-limited in-home services using agency, community, and extended-family resources. The position may be filled at a level from Specialist I through Specialist IV, with starting salary based in part on education and experience. This posting is limited to current or former DFPS interns.

The role is based in a mobile unit, and most work is conducted away from the office using mobile technology. Workers operate independently while remaining responsive to supervision and their assigned unit. The position requires frequent travel to homes, offices, and appointments, including travel outside the assigned region and occasional overnight travel. Workers must respond to crises, work irregular hours, and may encounter emotionally difficult situations and challenging home environments.

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 work experience includes paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, such as services to families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II, in addition to the listed education and experience alternatives: nine months employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist I and Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a CPS Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker III, in addition to the listed education and experience alternatives: nine months employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II and Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a CPS Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker IV, in addition to the listed education and experience alternatives: 24 months employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III and Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; current or previous employment as a CPS Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV at Texas DFPS.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication, relationship-building, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to travel and attend visits and work-related appointments and meetings after 5 p.m.; perform rotating on-call duty and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotionally intense 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, and current valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load; proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required.
• Ability to meet the role's physical and visual requirements, including frequent standing, hearing, and talking; occasional climbing; exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally and up to 10 pounds frequently; and specified near, distance, color, peripheral, and three-dimensional vision requirements.
• Must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver's record check.
• Must complete required cybersecurity and communications-system training and follow agency policies.
• Must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards for creating accessible electronic information resources.

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 increase at the point of hire.

Responsibilities

• Respond quickly in crisis situations.
• Provide time-limited in-home services tailored to family needs by assessing protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources, and maintaining contact with parents and children toward treatment goals.
• Assess child safety and take appropriate action to protect the child, which may include removal from the family.
• Interact objectively with caretakers who have abused or neglected children.
• Discuss sensitive issues with families, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Help identify resources and community support available to families.
• Help parents recognize behaviors leading to abuse or neglect and identify necessary behavioral changes.
• Determine actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying supportive family members, seeking emergency protective services in court, placing children in substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or community resources.
• Gather family and kinship information to support a child in placement if the child enters DFPS custody.
• Document relevant information and complete required forms accurately and promptly.
• Work flexible hours beyond 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday; be available for rotating on-call duty and irregular hours.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when engaging families in stressful and crisis situations.
• 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 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 to and attend child and family visits, appointments, and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
• Use a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions and provide proof of a reliable vehicle, acceptable driving record, insurance, and a valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and load.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid 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 expenses.
• Employee discounts, including gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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