CPS Heightened Monitoring Specialist IV

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

Functional Title: CPS Heightened Monitoring Specialist IV Job Title: CPS Heightened Monitoring IV Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc Department: FCL PLACEMENT PRG SUPPORT Posting Number: 15407 Closing Date: 09/28/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Protective Services Salary Range: $4,263.16- $6,779.25 Pay Frequency: Monthly Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Telework: Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 75% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: HOUSTON Job Location Address: 3 NORTHPOINT DR Other Locations: MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1
5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12


Job Description:

CPS Heightened Monitoring Specialist III-IV


HM staff will be responsible for completing face to face visits at facilities on heightened monitoring. HM staff conducts interviews to ensure the health and safety of children placed in those operations. HM staff conduct monitoring visit to ensure compliance with plan tasks and address concerns found during visits. HM staff are responsible for ensuring visits are documented in IMPACT and CLASS as per policy.


The position may travel statewide 75% of the month.


The position interacts routinely with DFPS staff, CPS Field staff, Residential Child-Care Licensing, Residential Child Care Investigations, and Residential Child Care Contracts.


Essential Job Functions:

Conduct interviews and observations with children placed at facilities on heightened monitoring.
Enters contact and documentation information into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System (IMPACT) and Child-Care Licensing Automation Support System (CLASS) within required agency time frames.

Ensures operation is compliant with their heightened monitoring plan tasks.

Monitors trend and pattern areas for on-going compliance.

Provides technical assistance and supportive feedback during monitoring and safety visits.

Research history, data, and information pertaining to children and operation.
Writes reports and presents case information to supervisor and other parties.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships between DFPS staff, Residential Child-Care Regulations, Residential Child Care Investigations, and Residential Child Care Contracts.
Attends and participates in training/meetings/FITS.
Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
*Child Protective Services is professional social work where primary duties are providing social casework services to abused, neglected, or exploited children and their families; or in recruiting, studying, and certifying foster and adoptive homes.
**A Child placement service is the decision-making process around placing and monitoring children in licensed 24-hour childcare facilities and in adoptive placement in compliance with state and federal regulations.


Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

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.

Knowledge Skills Abilities:

Knowledge of child development.
Knowledge of family dynamics.
Knowledge of Child Protective Services policy and procedures.
Knowledge of the Texas Family Code.


Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships With DFPS Staff, HHSC Staff, and Community organizations.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
Skill in working on Teams.

Skill in conducting quality interviews.

Ability to utilize the functions of computer.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Ability to submit reports within a short timeframe.
Ability to work effectively and efficiently with limited supervision.
Ability to travel statewide for extended periods of time.


Initial Screening Criteria:

Must have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university.
Experience as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Care Regulations Inspector: Employed as a Child Protective Specialist or Child Care Regulations Inspector for 24 months AND have received Child Protective Specialist Certification OR Child Care Regulations Inspector Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR currently employed as a Child Care Regulations Inspector in Texas Human Services Commission OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or previously employed as a Child Care Regulations Inspector in Texas Human Services Commission.

Must have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university.

Experience as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Care Regulations Inspector: Employed as a Child Protective Specialist or Child Care Regulations Inspector for 24 months AND have received Child Protective Specialist Certification OR Child Care Regulations Inspector Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR currently employed as a Child Care Regulations Inspector in Texas Human Services Commission OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or previously employed as a Child Care Regulations Inspector in Texas Human Services Commission.
Acceptable Substitutions:
Any current or former employee of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or Texas Health and Human Services Commission who meets the current Minimum Qualifications (with the exception of certification requirements) and who, as of September 1, 2022, has twenty-four months experience as a Child Protective Services worker or Child Care Regulations Inspector.
Any applicant who meets the current Minimum Qualifications (with the exception of certification requirements) and who has two years' experience as a Child Protective Services worker or Child Care Regulations Inspector or supervisor in another state.


Final Selection Criteria:

Preferred Location: Region 6

Additional Information:

Preferred Qualifications:
This position must be filled at a CPS Caseworker III or higher.

This position will be in a mobile unit which means the majority of the work will be conducted using mobile technology, such as a tablet, while away from the office. Being mobile requires working independently yet still being responsive to supervision and your assigned unit.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS Employee Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview


Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor's Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at View email address on click.appcast.io with additional questions.

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: .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.