CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Jasper, TX

1d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks to build on the strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe. After a family has been investigated, a Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) worker helps the family make changes to protect children from abuse and neglect and keep them safe at home. The worker provides services offered by the agency, the family's community, and extended family.

This role provides time-limited in-home services, assesses child safety, develops treatment plans, connects families with resources, and monitors progress toward treatment goals. The worker may need to take actions to address immediate threats, including seeking emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, or arranging crisis intervention. The role requires objective and empathetic engagement with families in stressful situations, coordination with community and legal partners, accurate documentation, and flexible availability beyond standard weekday hours.

The position is based in Jasper, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and operates in a mobile unit. Most work is conducted away from the office using mobile technology. Frequent travel to homes and offices is required, with travel expected to account for about 60% of the time and posting details listing travel up to 75%. Some overnight travel is required. The role may be filled at levels I through IV, with education and experience considered when setting the starting salary. The posted monthly salary range is $3,816.65–$5,372.41.

Requirements

• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• 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, including after 5 p.m.
• Ability to work irregular hours and serve on a rotating on-call basis.
• Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a reliable personal motor vehicle to perform job functions, 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.
• 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 serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II: the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for nine months and completion of Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II at DFPS.
• For Worker III: the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for nine months and completion of Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III at DFPS.
• For Worker IV: the Worker I education and experience criteria, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months and completion of Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification; or current or prior employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV at DFPS.
• Selected applicants 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.

Responsibilities

• Respond quickly in crisis situations.
• Provide time-limited in-home services tailored to families' needs by identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources to reduce risk and promote child safety, 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 a 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.
• Help identify resources and community support available to the family.
• Help parents recognize behaviors that lead to child abuse or neglect and identify necessary behavioral changes.
• Determine actions to remove or reduce an immediate threat to a child's safety, including identifying family members who can help keep the child safe, seeking emergency protective services through court, placing children in substitute care, or referring families to crisis intervention or 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.
• Work flexible hours beyond 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday; attend visits and appointments after 5 p.m.; and be available for rotating on-call duty and irregular hours.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when engaging 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 training, meetings, and staffings.
• Perform other duties as assigned and 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.
• Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• Eligible newly hired employees may receive a DFPS cellular phone.

What This Job Offers

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