Human Services Technician

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Austin, TX

16d • 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.
This position functions as an assistant to agency staff and supervisors in providing human services to families involved in Child Protective Services (CPS) cases, including transportation and documentation of services provided. It also includes supervising visitations between parents and children and providing various clerical functions. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff, representatives from various organizations, and the general public.To learn more DFPS, please click
here.
Community-Based Care (CBC) is a new way to provide services than traditional foster care because it gives local communities the flexibility to draw on local strengths and resources and find innovative ways to meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families. CBC includes many of the services that Child Protective Services (CPS) normally provides. This includes foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services. A single contractor in each designated community area creates a network of services, foster homes, and other living arrangements and, when ready, provides case management for each child and their family as well. CPS works with each contractor (Single Source Continuum Contractor or SSCC) to carefully manage the transition from traditional foster care to community-driven care. Full implementation of CBC is projected for the year 2029 across the state of Texas. With open proposal options, any given community or regional area may be selected for CBC transition. This position along with your job duties and function will shift form a state position with Texas Department of Family Protective Services to the SSCC, which is a private and non-profit agency serving the same foster care population. After the transition, your office location is subject to change within your same county, which is expected to occur DATE, based on readiness. To learn more about CBC, please visit Community-Based Care.
Human Service Technicians may be required to work together with DFPS caseworkers in providing supervision of children without placement (CWOP). Children can vary in age, but primarily the population that will be worked with is children that can range from 10 to 17 years of age. Responsibilities of the position include assisting the DFPS caseworker with monitoring children and ensuring needs are met during their office or community location stay to include: safety, food, hygiene, education and entertainment/recreational activities. This could require working outside of the normal work schedule. If so, overtime compensation may be earned.

Requirements

• Knowledge of Child Protective Services
• Knowledge of community resources
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to follow instructions.
• Ability to get work effectively with others.
• Ability to effectively supervise children of various ages.
• Ability to operate a personal computer, several software packages, and basic office equipment.
• Ability to work in an office supporting several staff members.
• 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.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent.
• One-year full-time social services, clerical, secretarial, administrative support, general office, or FPS experience.

Nice To Haves

• Thirty semester hours from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Provides transportation for clients to and from appointments as requested by caseworkers and/or Unit Supervisor.
• Observes and/or supervises parent and child visits.
• Completes appropriate forms and documentation concerning client contact including data entry into IMPACT and other agency systems.
• Maintain out-going paper and/or electronic appointment calendar for scheduling requests made by caseworkers/supervisor.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations including performing various clerical duties such as typing, filing, faxing, copying, answering/receiving telephone inquiries, etc.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
• Assisting the DFPS caseworker with monitoring children and ensuring needs are met during their office or community location stay to include: safety, food, hygiene, education and entertainment/recreational activities.

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
• You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED