CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•ROBSTOWN, 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, the CPS Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Worker provides time-limited, in-home services to help families make changes that protect children from abuse and neglect and allow them to remain safe at home. The worker identifies insufficient protective capacities, develops treatment plans, connects families with agency, community, and extended-family resources, and maintains contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals. The position may require taking protective action, including removing a child from the family or placing a child in substitute care. The role involves responding to crises, assessing child safety, engaging families in stressful situations, documenting case information, and collaborating with law enforcement, courts, legal resources, medical professionals, and community organizations. Workers operate primarily in a mobile environment, often independently and away from the office, and must remain responsive to supervision and their assigned unit. Travel is frequent, with the posting estimating up to 75% and noting that workers can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time. Some overnight travel may be required, especially for initial training or as cases demand. The position is not eligible for telework. The position may be filled at a level from Worker Specialist I through Worker Specialist IV, with starting salary potentially based on education and experience. Newly hired employees with a Master's Degree in Social Work may qualify for a hire-time increase. DFPS offers a certification program intended to develop employee skills and careers, with the opportunity to earn 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 providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
For Worker II, III, or IV, meet the listed education and relevant-work-experience qualification: 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 providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
For Worker II, additionally, have nine months as a Child Protective Services Specialist I and Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist II or CPS Investigations Specialist II at Texas DFPS.
For Worker III, additionally, have nine months as a Child Protective Services Specialist II and Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist III or CPS Investigations Specialist III at Texas DFPS.
For Worker IV, additionally, have 24 months as a Child Protective Services Specialist III and Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior employment as a CPS Specialist IV or CPS Investigations Specialist IV at Texas DFPS.
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 an emotionally intense environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.
Use of a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions; applicants must have 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.
Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver's record check.
Ability to complete required cybersecurity and communications-system training and follow agency policies.
Familiarity 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.
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.

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 minimize risk and protect children, and maintaining contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
Assess child safety and take appropriate action to protect the child, which may include removing the child 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 objective and empathetic 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 helpful relatives, seeking emergency protective services through court, placing children in substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention therapy or other community resources.
Gather family and kinship information to support a child in a 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 to maintain unit operations.
Promote 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 health insurance for eligible family members.
Retirement plans that provide lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with optional 401(k) and 457 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 the opportunity to earn additional compensation.

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