CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Corpus Christi, TX

12d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is hiring a CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker to help families make changes that protect children from abuse and neglect and enable them to remain safe at home. The worker provides time-limited in-home services, drawing on agency, community, and extended-family resources. The role may be filled at a level from Specialist I through Specialist IV, with starting salary influenced by education and experience. Newly hired employees with a Master’s degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at hire.

This is a mobile position, with most work conducted outside the office using mobile technology. The worker must act independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. The job requires frequent travel to homes and offices, including travel outside the assigned region and occasional overnight travel. The posting estimates travel at up to 85%, and further describes the role as involving about 60% time on the road. The position is not eligible for telework. Work hours can be irregular and extend beyond standard weekday business hours; rotating on-call availability is required.

The role requires a reliable personal motor vehicle, a current and valid Texas driver’s license appropriate to the vehicle and its passenger or cargo load, and an acceptable driving record for the past five years. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license. Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.

Requirements

• 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 education and relevant-work-experience criteria listed for Specialist I, and have nine months as a Child Protective Services Specialist I with CPS Specialist Certification, or be currently or previously employed by Texas DFPS as a CPS Specialist II or CPS Investigations Specialist II.
• For Specialist III: meet the education and relevant-work-experience criteria listed for Specialist I, and have 9 months as a CPS Specialist II with Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or be currently or previously employed by Texas DFPS as a CPS Specialist III or CPS Investigations Specialist III.
• For Specialist IV: meet the education and relevant-work-experience criteria listed for Specialist I, and have 24 months as a CPS Specialist III with Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or be currently or previously employed by Texas DFPS as a CPS Specialist IV or CPS 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 in problem-solving techniques.
• 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 be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in emotionally charged environments, including making home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of 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; proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required.
• Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.

Nice To Haves

• A 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 newly hired employees for an increase at the point of hire.

Responsibilities

• Respond quickly in crisis situations.
• Provide time-limited in-home services tailored to family needs, including identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources to minimize risk and protect children, and maintaining contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
• Assess child safety and take appropriate steps to protect children, which may include removing a child from the family.
• Interact objectively with caretakers who have abused or neglected children in their care.
• Discuss sensitive family matters, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Engage with family members who may be angry or scared while maintaining objectivity and empathy.
• 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, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, and referring families for crisis therapy or other 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 on time.
• 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 or 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.

Benefits

• 100% 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 expenses.
• Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity 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