CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Career Opportunities: CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker (18065) Posting ID: 18065. Department: Family & Protective Services. Region: 9 CPS Dir Del - FBSS. Salary: $3,816.65 – $5,372.41 per month. Shift: Day. Telework: Not Eligible. Travel: Up to 85%. Employment type: Full time, regular. Salary group: TEXAS-B-17. 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 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save more with 401(k) and 457 plans Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave Optional dental, vision, and life insurance Flexible spending accounts Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment Brief Job Description After a family has been investigated, a Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) worker helps them make changes to protect their children from abuse and neglect and keep them safe at home. This involves providing services offered by the agency, the family's community, and extended families. Newly hired employees holding a Master’s Degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at the point of hire. DFPS is committed to its employees' professional development and ongoing success and offers the DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within the organization. Essential Job Functions (EJFs) Responds quickly in crisis situations. Provides time‑limited in‑home services to meet the specific needs of families by identifying insufficient protective capacities, developing treatment plans, and using appropriate and necessary resources to minimize risk and provide for safety of the child; and maintains contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals. Assesses child safety and takes the necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate. This could include removing a child from their family. Interacts objectively with caretakers who have abused and/or neglected children in their care. Discusses issues with families related, but not limited to, income, money management, and personal relationships that they will probably consider personal and private. Encounters family members who are angry and/or scared. Helps identify resources and community support available to the family. Assists parents to recognize behaviors that lead to child abuse and/or neglect and empowers parents to identify ways to make the necessary behavioral changes. Determines action to be taken to remove or reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child, including working with families to identify family members who can assist with keeping the child safe, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, referring family for immediate crisis intervention therapy or other community resources. Gathers family and kinship information to support the child in a placement, should the child be placed in DFPS custody. Documents all relevant and appropriate information gathered during the investigation and completes all required forms accurately and in a timely manner. Works flexible work hours beyond 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday – Friday. Maintains a balance of objectivity and empathic understanding when engaging families living in stressful and crisis situations. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources. Attends and participates in trainings, meetings and staffing sessions. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and all work‑related contacts. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) Knowledge of child development Knowledge of family dynamics Skill in effective verbal and written communication Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships Skill in problem‑solving techniques Ability to operate a personal computer Ability to travel and attend child and family visits as well as 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 emotion‑filled environment and which may require conducting home visits in isolated or high‑crime areas and may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions. Applicants must have a reliable motor vehicle, an 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. Proof of driving record, insurance and license must be provided. This role requires frequent travel to homes and offices both within and outside your assigned region. Reliable transportation and a strong willingness to travel are essential, as you can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time. While most travel will be local, occasional trips outside your region and overnight travel may be required. Initial Screening Criteria Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker I: Accredited bachelor’s degree OR accredited associate’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker II: Accredited bachelor’s degree OR accredited associate’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II or Child Protective Investigations Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker III: Accredited bachelor’s degree OR accredited associate’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or Child Protective Investigations Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker IV: Accredited bachelor’s degree OR accredited associate’s degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV or Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Preferred Criteria 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. Additional Information This position may be filled at any level from a Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Services Worker Specialist I to Specialist IV. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary. 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. Newly hired DFPS employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone. These requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job-related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as‑needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations are possible. Physical Activities: Frequently asked to stand, hear and talk; occasionally asked to climb. Physical Demands: Incurs up to 20 pounds occasionally, up to 10 pounds of force frequently, or negligible force constantly to move objects. Visual Requirements: Must be able to see objects clearly at 20 inches or less, and at 20 or more feet; adjust eyes to bring objects into focus, distinguish colors, see objects in peripheral vision, and see in three dimensions. Working Conditions: Works in a mobile environment and is exposed occasionally to adverse environmental conditions including extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases and heights. Military Occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements may include those listed in this posting. All active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified. 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. DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code to ensure all Electronic Information Resources follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section508 when creating accessible content. DFPS uses E‑Verify. Bring your I‑9 documentation on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. #J-18808-Ljbffr