CPS Legal Liaison

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Liberty, TX

35d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals. Facilitates and expedites Child Protective services conservatorship cases to permanency through the legal system within the parameters of the Texas Family Code and the Department of Family and Protective Services policy guidelines in Harris County. The position develops and maintains positive and constructive working relationships between Child Protective Services and the District Courts, County Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Department, other law enforcement agencies, and Court Appointed Special Advocates organization. The position educates, enables, and empowers Child Protective Services caseworkers to represent Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and to protect children within the legal system. The position interacts routinely with Child Protective Services Staff, Advocacy Center staff, District Judges, County Attorney Staff, Court Administrators, attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates staff, law enforcement, constables, witnesses, other social, medical, and psychological agencies, facilities and practitioners in Harris County.

Requirements

Knowledge of the Texas Family Code
Knowledge of Texas Rules of Civil Procedure
Knowledge of Child Protective Services policies, guidelines, philosophy.
Knowledge of rules of discovery.
Knowledge of basic legal document preparation.
Skill using of Microsoft Office Software and Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System.
Skill using basic office equipment (Fax machine, postage meter, copier, telephone system).
Skill in handling large caseload and meeting deadlines.
Skill in establishing priorities.
Skill in working effectively with coworkers and the general public.
Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
Ability to work effectively in highly stressful situations.
Ability to be flexible in responding to emergency situations on a daily basis.
Ability to type. Knowledge to create spreadsheets to track timelines for court documents
This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions. Applicants for positions must have a reliable motor vehicle, and 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.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

Nice To Haves

Experience handling Child Protective Services conservatorship caseload, social work experience and preparation for court hearings and testifying as an agency witness
Experience handling varied caseload and varying numbers of cases with different needs.
Experience as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or above.

Responsibilities

Attends child protection court hearings in any of the three juvenile District Courts, the nine Family Courts, or in the Child Protection Project Court in Harris County.
Informs Child Protective Services staff and County Attorney staff of case status, legal issues, decisions, provides and interprets legal information that enables Child Protective Services staff in making responsible casework decisions in Harris County.
Monitors Child Protective Services case recommendations to court for consistency with the Texas Family Code and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policy and procedures in order to ensure that the agency maintains credibility with the court system in Harris County.
Communicates with child protection management staff as it relates to issues or concerns identified in court.
Assists child protection staff in the communication of new Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policies, procedures, and practices to the judicial community.
Assists in the management of the DFPS Court Reports - Harris County mailbox.
Trains caseworkers by developing curriculum and training materials, conducts the training seminars, keeps them informed of changes in the Texas Family Code and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policy.
May also assist with coordinating training seminars for attorney ad litems, county attorneys, judges in conjunction with other community agencies.
Assists caseworkers with interviewing clients regarding legal issues, executing affidavits of relinquishment, affidavits of status, affidavits of waivers of interest with Child Protective Services parents; and diligent searches for parents/screens publication for accuracy in Harris County.
May coordinate, develop and update responses to discovery requests; prepare cases for trial; locating, subpoenaing, interviewing, scheduling witnesses; researches prior legal cases, sources, statutes and judicial decisions upon request by the CPS management or the County Attorney.
May develop, prepare, maintain and update trial notebooks for County Attorney, compile affidavits, exhibits and business records for trial, prepare attorneys by scheduling and meeting with fact and expert witnesses; monitor and assist with appeal of final hearing.
May participate in Permanency Conferences/Family Group Conferences, legal staffings, pre-removal staffings, removal staffings, pre-trial meetings, and mediation in Harris County when requested.
Performs other duties assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contact.
prepare monthly dockets and send it to the field
attend court and check in workers for each docket
observe court hearings for issues regarding compliance with court orders, knowledge of the case, testimony, and professionalism
report to chain of command any issues that need addressing or orders that need to be elevated
respond to court personnel requests for information regarding agency policy and procedures
educates and informs the court of agency changes in procedure, policy, or current status regarding subjects such as placement, daycare, contract resources, caseloads, and CPS management assignments
communicate with the county attorney’s during the docket to ensure they are informing workers of any resets or delays with the hearing, and staffing cases regarding agency decisions, and any issues that need to be addressed on the case so that the court can be made aware
assist in obtaining copies of court orders and other documents
assist county attorney in notifying workers of resets and special hearings
track court reports turned in for timeliness and submit to the supervisor monthly
assist the county attorney’s in obtaining case information including the correct and current caseworker
assist the county attorney’s when issues arise regarding communication with the field or getting no responses for needed requests, i.e. requests for discovery, interrogatories, LIPS, staffing, affidavits for publication, witness lists, updates with case information, etc.
attend and assist with training caseworkers on court issues
assist the caseworkers with court testimony and presentation and explain policy or procedures when necessary
assist with special requests from the field when various help is needed, i.e., helping write re-file affidavits, getting 1702s completed, getting child support information, assisting in communicating and informing family/parents/attorneys in court
screen cases for drug court including gathering criminal history checks, CPS history checks, and speaking with the parents regarding eligibility for drug court
processes court reports submitted to the court report mailbox by e-filing reports and documents, looking up current parties on the case, mailing out to all parties and placements, and logging reports processed to submit to supervisor weekly.

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

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