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 caseworkers legally responsible for a child's welfare when 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. Essential Job Functions Receives cases from investigators after children are removed from their homes, placed in CPS conservatorship, and placed in care outside their homes. Determines each child’s needs and ensures that appropriate referrals for testing, evaluations, records, or further assessments are made, focusing on positive permanency. Works with children, families, and communities to plan for a child’s permanency. Identifies potential permanency resources for the child through ongoing contact with parents, family members, and other important individuals. Searches for potential kinship providers, completing home studies of children’s family members or family friends who might care for the child. Meets with parents to assess risk and safety issues, identifies behavior changes necessary to achieve child safety, and refers parents to services to move toward positive permanency. Meets with children, parents, family friends, or foster homes in public and in their own homes. Collaborates with a Placement Team, including Kinship staff, for placements as needed. Participates in meetings and conferences at times and places convenient for the family members and everyone involved in the case. Visits children monthly to assess their sense of safety in their current home, plan for permanency, and discuss needs, wishes, and progress while in care. Attends and participates in court hearings about the child and family, including contacting parties before hearings, preparing court reports, and testifying in court. Keeps the child’s parents, caregivers, court-appointed attorney, and guardian ad litem(s) informed about circumstances and significant events. Works with the department's attorney to prepare for contested-court hearings and trials. Works with kinship caregivers and foster parents to ensure they have what they need to care for the child and are available on call as required. Transitions children home during reunification services and provides support to the family until the legal case is closed. Supervises adoptive placements until the adoption is final or until the case is transferred to an adoption caseworker. Uses effective time‑management skills to ensure all key tasks are completed. Documents case records by completing forms, narratives, and reports for each client. Develops and maintains effective working relationships between CPS staff and law‑enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources. Performs other duties as assigned to maintain unit operations. Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers, clients, and all contacts. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities 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 conduct home visits in isolated or high‑crime areas, possibly involving exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions. Initial Screening Criteria 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 of relevant experience, or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant experience. Relevant work experience may include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at‑risk populations. 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, 50% paid for eligible family members. Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus 401(k) and 457 options. Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave. Optional dental, vision, and life insurance at rates lower than most private plans. Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care. Employee discounts on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment. #J-18808-Ljbffr FALL CREEK FARM & NURSERY