CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Laredo, TX

12d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker to help families make changes that protect children from abuse and neglect and keep them safe at home after an investigation. The worker provides time-limited in-home services by identifying safety concerns, developing treatment plans, and connecting families with agency, community, and extended-family resources. The position may be filled at a level from Specialist I through Specialist IV, with education and experience considered when setting starting salary. Newly hired employees with a Master of Social Work degree may qualify for an increase at hire.

This is a mobile role in which most work takes place away from the office using mobile technology such as a tablet. The worker must work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. The position is based in Laredo, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. It requires frequent travel to homes and offices within and outside the assigned region; travel may be last-minute, and some overnight travel is required. The posting indicates travel of up to 85%, and further describes expected road time of about 60%.

The role requires flexible and irregular hours, including work outside standard weekday hours, rotating on-call coverage, and visits or appointments after 5 p.m. The worker may respond to crises, encounter families in stressful circumstances, visit isolated or high-crime areas, and be exposed to substandard or unsanitary living conditions. Use of a personal motor vehicle is required. The worker must be bilingual, hold a current valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, have a reliable vehicle and an acceptable five-year driving record, and provide proof of license, insurance, and driving record.

Requirements

• Bilingual ability is required.
• For Specialist 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 Specialist II, meet the stated education and experience alternatives, and have nine months as a Child Protective Services Specialist I with Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or currently or previously have been a CPS Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II with Texas DFPS.
• For Specialist III, meet the stated education and experience alternatives, and have nine months as a Child Protective Services Specialist II with Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or currently or previously have been a CPS Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III with Texas DFPS.
• For Specialist IV, meet the stated education and experience alternatives, and have 24 months as a Child Protective Services Specialist III with Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or currently or previously have been a CPS Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV with Texas DFPS.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, working relationship skills, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and other work-related appointments and meetings after 5 p.m.
• Ability to serve on a rotating on-call basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotionally charged environment and conduct home visits in isolated or high-crime areas, potentially involving substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a personal motor vehicle to perform job functions; 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. Proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required.
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including outside assigned counties and sometimes with little notice; some overnight travel is required.
• Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver's record check.

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 of Social Work degree 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 identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources to reduce risk and protect children, and maintaining contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
• Assess child safety and take necessary protective actions, which may include removing a child from the family.
• Interact objectively with caretakers who have abused or neglected children in their care.
• Discuss potentially sensitive family matters, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Help families identify available community resources and support.
• Help parents recognize behaviors that lead to child 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 through court testimony, placing children in substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention therapy or other resources.
• Gather family and kinship information to support a child in placement if the child enters DFPS custody.
• Document relevant information gathered during investigations and complete required forms accurately and on time.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when working with families experiencing stress or crisis.
• 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.

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.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and an opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• Eligible newly hired employees receive a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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