CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Wichita Falls, TX

3d • $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, a Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Worker provides time-limited services to help families make changes that protect children from abuse and neglect and allow them to remain safe at home. The worker coordinates services provided by the agency, the family’s community, and extended family, assesses child safety, and takes appropriate action to address risk. This position may be filled at a level from Specialist I through Specialist IV; education and experience may be considered when setting starting salary. Newly hired employees with a Master’s Degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at hire.

The role is based in Wichita Falls, Texas, is not eligible for telework, and involves work primarily in a mobile environment using mobile technology such as a tablet. Frequent travel to homes and offices, including outside the assigned region, is required; the posting estimates travel at up to 75% and elsewhere describes being on the road about 60% of the time. Some overnight travel is required. The worker must be able to work flexible hours beyond the usual Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. schedule, including irregular hours and rotating on-call duty.

DFPS offers professional development through its Certification Program, which supports skills development and career advancement and may provide opportunities for additional compensation.

Requirements

• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain 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 after 5 p.m.
• Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• Use of a personal motor vehicle to perform job functions; a reliable vehicle, 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 are required. Proof of driving record, insurance, and license must be provided.
• 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 may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services serving families or other at-risk populations.
• For Worker II, the stated education and experience alternatives for Worker I, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for nine months and receipt of Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker III, the stated education and experience alternatives for Worker I, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for nine months and receipt of Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III at Texas DFPS.
• For Worker IV, the stated education and experience alternatives for Worker I, plus employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months and receipt of Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV at Texas DFPS.
• Applicants selected for hire 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 minimize 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 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 behavioral changes they can make.
• Determine and carry out 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, and referring families for crisis intervention 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.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when working with 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.

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 plan options.
• 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, electronics, and entertainment discounts.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program opportunities for professional development, career advancement, and additional compensation.

What This Job Offers

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