CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Littlefield, TX

4d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works with families and communities to protect children and vulnerable adults. After a family has been investigated, a 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 family needs and protective-capacity concerns, 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 may require taking action to protect a child, including removal from the family or placement in substitute care.

This is a full-time, nonexempt position based in a mobile unit. Most work is performed away from the office using mobile technology, and the role requires independent work while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. Travel is frequent, including home visits and appointments within and outside the assigned region; the posting estimates travel at up to 75% and describes being on the road about 60% of the time. Some overnight travel is required. Work hours are flexible and may include evenings, irregular hours, and rotating on-call duty.

The position may be filled at the Specialist I through Specialist IV level. Starting salary may take education and experience into account. Newly hired employees with a Master's Degree in Social Work may qualify for a hiring salary increase. DFPS offers a certification program intended to build skills and support career advancement, with opportunities for additional compensation.

Requirements

• For Worker I screening: 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, such as services to families or other at-risk populations.
• Worker II, III, and IV screening requires the applicable education and experience route listed for Worker I, plus the specified DFPS employment and certification history for the level: Worker II requires nine months as a CPS Specialist I and CPS Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a CPS Specialist II or CPS Investigations Specialist II; Worker III requires nine months as a CPS Specialist II and Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a CPS Specialist III or CPS Investigations Specialist III; Worker IV requires 24 months as a CPS Specialist III and Senior Advanced CPS Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment 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 an emotionally charged environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• 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. 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.
• Frequent travel to homes and offices within and outside the assigned region, with some overnight travel and the ability to respond to last-minute travel needs.
• Ability to work in a mobile environment and use mobile technology, such as a tablet.
• Ability to meet the stated physical requirements, including frequently standing, hearing, and talking; occasionally climbing; and exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally or up to 10 pounds of force frequently.
• Must comply with agency cybersecurity and communications-system usage policies and complete related training.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility requirements for 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.
• 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 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 appropriate protective action, 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.
• Engage with family members who may be angry or scared while maintaining objectivity and empathic 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 implement actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying family members who can help keep a child safe, seeking emergency protective services through court testimony, placing children in substitute care, or referring families for crisis intervention 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 promptly.
• 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 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 health insurance for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save through 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 membership, electronics, and entertainment discounts.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program with opportunities to earn additional compensation.

What This Job Offers

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