CPS Conservatorship Worker

Job Summary Whenever a child must be removed from their home, Texas courts appoint Child Protective Services (CPS) to serve as a "Conservator" of the child. Conservatorship Specialists are a specific type of caseworker legally responsible for a child's welfare whenever they are removed from their home and monitor children's care while in CPS conservatorship. They work closely with parents, extended family, and legal parties to help children find a permanent, safe place to live. Newly hired employees holding a Master's Degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at the point of hire. Key Responsibilities Receive cases from investigators after children are removed from their homes, placed in CPS conservatorship, and placed in care outside their homes. Determine each child’s needs and ensure that appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, or further assessments are made. Ensure all services are focused on achieving positive permanency. Work with children, families, and communities to plan for a child's permanency. Identify potential permanency resources for the child through ongoing contact with parents, family members, and other individuals the child and family identify as important to them. Search for potential kinship providers throughout the case and complete home studies of a child's family members or family friends (kinship providers) who might care for the child. Meet with the parents to assess risk and safety issues, identify behavior changes necessary to achieve child safety, referring parents to appropriate services to address the identified needs to move towards positive permanency. Discuss with parents their progress towards making changes to behaviors that pose dangers to their child(ren). Meet with children, parents, family friends, or foster homes in public as well as in their own homes. Collaborate with a Placement Team, including Kinship staff, for placements, as needed. Participate in meetings and conferences at times and places convenient for the family members as well as everyone involved in the case. Visit children monthly to assess the child’s feeling of safety in their current home, to plan for permanency, and to discuss their needs, wishes, and progress while in care. Attend and participate in court hearings about the child and family. This includes contacting the parties in the case before hearings, preparing court reports, and testifying in court on the child’s needs, the family’s progress, and the department’s efforts to achieve permanency for the child. Keep the child’s, parents, caregivers, court‑appointed attorney, and guardian ad litem(s) informed about the child’s circumstances and significant events. Work with the department's attorney to prepare for contested‑court hearings and trials. Work with kinship caregivers and foster parents to ensure that they have what they need to care for the child or youth placed with them, i.e., keep them informed about developments in the case, return phone calls, and in some areas of the state be available 24 hours a day / 7 days a week at certain times. Transition children home during reunification services and provide support to the family until the legal case is closed. Supervise adoptive placements until the adoption is final or until the case is transferred to an adoption caseworker. Use effective time‑management skills to make sure all key tasks are done. Document case records by completing forms, narratives, and reports to form a written record for each client. Develop and maintain effective working relationships between Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources. Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Promote and demonstrate appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers, clients, and all work‑related contacts. Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. Qualifications Initial Screening Criteria: Child Protective Services Conservatorship 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 Conservatorship 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. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at‑risk populations. 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 Conservatorship 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. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at‑risk populations. 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 Conservatorship 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. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at‑risk populations. 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. 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 pm 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. 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 Benefits 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 even more with 401(k) and 457 plans Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave 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 Physical Activities: He/she is frequently asked to stand, hear and talk; he/she is occasionally asked to climb. Physical Demands: The incumbent typically performs work that requires him/her to exert up to 20 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. Visual Requirements: The incumbent must be able to see objects clearly at 20 inches or less, and at 20 or more feet. In addition, he/she must be able to adjust his/her eyes to bring objects into focus, distinguish colors, see objects in his/her peripheral vision, and see objects in three dimensions. Working Conditions: He/she typically works in a mobile environment (the majority of work is performed outside of the office environment) and is exposed occasionally to adverse environmental conditions including, but not necessarily limited to, extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases and heights. 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 much of your travel will be local, there will be instances—including last‑minute situations—where you’ll need to go outside your assigned counties, sometimes with little notice. Some overnight travel is also required, especially during initial training held outside your area and as cases demand. Flexibility is critical, as our mission to protect the most vulnerable means you must be ready to serve clients wherever and whenever you are needed. Compliance and Security The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is required to follow all applicable federal and state regulations, including background checks, driver’s record checks, E‑Verify, and access control requirements. Employees must comply with security and cybersecurity policies and complete related training as required. Location and Logistics Job Location City: HOUSTON Job Location Address: 2525 MURWORTH Other Locations: None Travel: Up to 85% Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Shift: Day Additional Shift: Days (First) Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Posting Number: 18452 Closing Date: 07/14/2026 #J-18808-Ljbffr