FGC Spec I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Waco, TX

1d • Onsite

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.

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck
When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

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

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.
You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

Requirements

• The Family Group Decision Making Specialist I must demonstrate experience in analyzing services and addressing complex case-related problems, including those with administrative components.
• This role requires strong problem-solving abilities, organizational skills, and effective time management to coordinate meetings and support family-centered planning processes.
• The position requires the ability to plan, organize, and coordinate Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) meetings and related support services in environments with diverse and often high-demand needs.
• Candidates must possess strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interpret complex written materials and clearly convey information to families, staff, and stakeholders.
• The role also requires the ability to effectively facilitate structured conversations, mediate discussions, and guide families and support networks toward collaborative decision making.
• Knowledge of CPS program policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations.
• Skill in solving problems.
• Skill in organizing and managing time.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels and with community groups.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to prioritize tasks and meet required deadlines.
• Ability to work evenings and weekends as needed to meet the demands of the job.
• Ability to attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus 3 years of full-time experience in Child Protective Services or child placement services in a public social services agency OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus four (4) years CPI/CPS casework work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus 3 and half (3 1/2) years of CPI/CPS casework work experience

Responsibilities

• The FGC Specialist serves as the lead in the preparation and coordination of family group conferences or family team meetings.
• The specialist works with the family during the coordination process, and assures all proceedings occur in a manner that maintains the strength and integrity of the family group.
• Serves as the meeting facilitator to lead participants (family members, CPS and stakeholders) in creating an appropriate action plan, utilizing mediation and facilitation skills.
• Ensures the plan developed by the family addresses the areas of child safety, permanency, and well-being through the identification of services provided through available family resources and community services.
• Reports the details of the developed plan to all participants.
• Also, serves as a communicator to assist the family in understanding the concerns for child safety and reason for CPS involvement.
• Works with the Family Group Decision Making Supervisor, caseworkers, supervisors, and department subject matter experts when coordinating meetings to ensure the needs of the family is met.
• Prepares meeting notes and ensures all parties who should receive the information does as well as documenting meetings in the appropriate manner.
• Other duties as assigned and required to maintain FGDM operations.

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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees