CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a compassionate Family Based Safety Services Worker to support families in crisis. This role involves responding to urgent situations, assessing child safety, and providing essential in-home services. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication and problem-solving skills, and a background in social work is preferred. With a commitment to protecting vulnerable populations, this position offers a chance to make a meaningful impact in the community. Join a dedicated team that values your contributions and provides a supportive work environment, including excellent health benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Benefits

Health benefits

Longevity pay

Generous paid leave

Wellness program access

Retirement annuity

Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in social services required.
• Skills in communication and problem-solving are essential.

Responsibilities

• Responds quickly in crisis situations and provides in-home services.
• Assesses child safety and takes necessary protective actions.
• Develops treatment plans and maintains contact with families.

Skills

Effective verbal and written communication

Problem-solving techniques

Knowledge of child development

Knowledge of family dynamics

Ability to operate a personal computer

Ability to travel for work-related appointments

Education

Bachelor's degree in Social Work

Associate's degree plus two years of relevant work experience

60 accredited college credit hours plus two years of relevant work experience

Tools

Mobile technology (tablet)

Job description

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 Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Functional Title: CPS Family Based Safety Services Worker

Job Title: CPS FBSS Spec I

Agency: Dept of Family & Protective Services

Department: Region 11 CPS Dir Del - FBSS

Posting Number: 3602

Closing Date: 05/25/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Protective Services

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-16

Salary Range: $3,816.65 - $5,094.16

Shift: Day

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 75%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Job Location City: CORPUS CHRISTI

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 their extended families.

Newly hired employees holding a Master's Degree in Social Work may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.

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 the safety of the child; maintains contact with parents and children to achieve treatment goals.
• Assesses child safety and takes necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate, which could include removing a child from their family.
• Interacts objectively with caretakers who have abused and/or neglected children in their care.
• 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 necessary behavioral changes.
• Documents all relevant and appropriate information gathered during the investigation and completes all required forms accurately and in a timely manner.
• Works flexible 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 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.

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 work in an emotion-filled environment 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. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker 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 of 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 Family Based Safety Worker II: 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 of 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.

Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker III: 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 of 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.

Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Worker IV: 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 of 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.

Additional Information:

This position may be filled at any level from a Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Services Worker Specialist I to a Child Protective Services Family Based Safety Services Worker 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: 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 limited to, 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 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.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.