CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Abilene, TX

10d • $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 (FBSS) Worker to support families after an investigation and help them make changes that protect children from abuse and neglect and keep them safe at home. The worker provides time-limited in-home services using agency, community, and extended-family resources. The role may be filled at Specialist I through Specialist IV levels, with starting salary potentially based on education and experience. Newly hired employees with a Master of Social Work degree may qualify for an increase at hire.

This is a full-time, nonexempt position based in Abilene, Texas. Most work is conducted away from the office in a mobile unit, using mobile technology such as a tablet. The position involves frequent travel to homes and offices within and outside the assigned region, with travel expected to account for about 60% of the time. Some overnight and last-minute travel may be required. The worker must be flexible about work hours, including on-call rotation and irregular hours.

The work involves crisis response and direct engagement with families experiencing stressful situations. Visits may take place in isolated or high-crime areas and may involve substandard or unsanitary living conditions. The position requires use of the employee’s personal motor vehicle, a current valid Texas driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and proof of insurance and license.

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 providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
• For Specialist II: meet the stated education and relevant-work-experience criteria, and have been employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for nine months and received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or currently or previously have been employed by Texas DFPS as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II.
• For Specialist III: meet the stated education and relevant-work-experience criteria, and have been employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for nine months and received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or currently or previously have been employed by Texas DFPS as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III.
• For Specialist IV: meet the stated education and relevant-work-experience criteria, and have been employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months and received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or currently or previously have been employed by Texas DFPS as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV.
• Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and use 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 demanding environment, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.
• Must use a reliable personal motor vehicle for job functions and have an acceptable driving record for the past five years, a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, and proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• 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 by identifying gaps in protective capacities, developing treatment plans, using appropriate resources to reduce risk and protect children, 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 matters, including income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Help families identify available community resources and support.
• Help parents recognize behaviors that lead to child abuse or neglect and identify behavioral changes needed to protect children.
• Determine and take action 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, placing children in substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or other community resources.
• Gather family and kinship information to support a child if placed in DFPS custody.
• Document relevant information and complete required forms accurately and on time.
• Maintain objectivity and empathic understanding when working with families in stressful and crisis situations.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources.
• Attend and participate in trainings, meetings, and staffings.
• Promote respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and work-related contacts.
• Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, with 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 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