CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Mineral Wells, TX

6d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPS Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Worker provides time-limited, in-home services after a family has been investigated, helping families make changes to protect children from abuse and neglect and keep children safe at home. The worker identifies gaps in protective capacities, develops treatment plans, connects families with agency, community, and extended-family resources, and maintains contact with parents and children to support treatment goals. The position assesses child safety and takes appropriate action, which may include removing a child from the family or arranging substitute care and emergency services.

The position responds to crises and works with families who may be distressed, angry, or fearful, while maintaining objectivity and empathy. It involves discussing sensitive personal matters, gathering family and kinship information, documenting case information, and collaborating with law enforcement, judicial and legal professionals, medical providers, and community resources. The role is based in a mobile unit, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology. It requires frequent travel to homes and offices, including outside the assigned region, occasional overnight travel, and flexibility to work irregular hours and be on call on a rotating basis.

The position is full-time, based in Mineral Wells, Texas, and is not eligible for telework. The posting lists a monthly salary range of $3,816.65 to $5,372.41. The role may be filled at a level from Specialist I through IV, with education and experience potentially considered when setting starting salary. Newly hired employees with a Master's Degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at hire. DFPS offers a certification program intended to support skill development and career advancement, with opportunities for additional compensation.

Requirements

• For Worker I consideration: 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 consideration, in addition to the listed education and experience routes: employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for nine months and Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II.
• For Worker III consideration, in addition to the listed education and experience routes: 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 Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III.
• For Worker IV consideration, in addition to the listed education and experience routes: 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 Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and using problem-solving techniques.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and work-related appointments and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
• Ability to work irregular hours and be on call on a rotating basis.
• Ability to work in an emotionally charged environment, including home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to 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 driver's record check.
• Ability to travel frequently, including outside the assigned region and sometimes with little notice; some overnight travel is required.

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

• Respond quickly in crisis situations.
• Provide time-limited in-home services based on family needs by identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources to reduce risk and ensure child safety, 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 sensitive issues with families, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Engage with family members who may be angry or scared.
• 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 actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying supportive family members, testifying in court for emergency protective services, arranging 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 gathered during investigations and complete required forms accurately and promptly.
• Work flexible hours beyond 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when engaging families in stressful or 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 child and family visits and other work-related appointments and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
• Be available for rotating on-call duty and work irregular hours.
• Use a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions and provide proof of a reliable vehicle, acceptable driving record, insurance, and a current valid Texas driver's license.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid health insurance for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans that provide lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with options to save through 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.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and opportunities to earn additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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