CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker (Coastal Bend Area)
OVERVIEW
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 their extended families.
Newly hired employees holding a Master's Degree in Social Worker may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.
A Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Services Worker- <a href="https://hr.sao.texas.gov/CompensationSystem/JobDescriptions/" target=_blank>SAO CPS FBBS Worker</a>.
WHY WORK FOR DFPS?
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's <a href="http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/About_DFPS/mission.asp" target=_blank>Mission, Vision, & Values</a> in service to the citizens of Texas.
DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the <a href="https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service" target=_blank>Service Loan Forgiveness Program</a>, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments, but also offers <a href="https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance/Health-Benefits" target=_blank>excellent health benefits</a>, special discounts on many products and services through the <a href="http://www.beneplace.com/home.jsp?Client_UserId=7195457" target=_blank>Discount Purchase Program</a>, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the <a href="https://ers.texas.gov/Benefits-at-a-Glance/Retirement" target=_blank>Employees Retirement System</a> of Texas. An additional benefit you will receive is 12 days of paid annual leave, 12 sick days, and the potential to earn up to four days of administrative leave each year. Your annual paid leave accrual increases as your tenure increases.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
To explore more of what CPS Family Based Safety Services Workers do, click <a href="https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Jobs/CPS/fbss.asp" target=_blank>here</a>.
To view a realistic online video about Child Protective Services workers and clients, please click <a href="http://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Jobs/CPS/working_at_cps.asp" target=_blank>here</a>.
You will also have access to a self-assessment that will help you determine if this type of work is something that is a good fit for you.
Essential Job Functions:
- 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 empower parents to identify ways to make the necessary behavioral changes.
- Determines action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include 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.
- Gather 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 completing all required forms accurately and in a timely manner.
- Works flexible work hours beyond 8a.m.-5p.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 staffings.
- 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.
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 & Ability:
· 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 5pm.
· 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.
Initial Screening Criteria
Child Protective Services Specialist I: An 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.
Child Protective Services Specialist II: 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 in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Child Protective Services Specialist III: 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 in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Child Protective Services Specialist IV: 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 in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.