CPS PAL Specialist I- IV

Department-of-Family-and-Protective-Services; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 48,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation and sick leave

Flexible spending accounts

Employee discounts

Job summary

Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a CPS PAL Specialist I-IV in Houston to coordinate Preparation for Adult Living programs, support emancipated youth, and collaborate with staff and partners. The role requires strong communication, travel up to 75%, and participation in program oversight.

The position emphasizes coordination across regional and statewide activities, case documentation, and ongoing education for staff and community stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree OR equivalent combination per CPS criteria.
• Experience in social/human or protective services is considered relevant.
• Ability to travel up to 75% and be on call as needed.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate Preparation for Adult Living program implementation.
• Ensure counseling and guidance for emancipating youth.
• Monitor contract service delivery and coordinate with contract management staff.
• Provide staff, caregiver and community education on the program.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Travel readiness

On-call availability

Information systems

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher

Associate degree + 2 years experience

Tools

Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System

Microsoft Word

Job description

Posting ID22167-Posted10/06/2026-Dept of Family & Protectve Svc-Region 6A CPS Dir Del - PAL-Protective Services-Not Eligible for Telework-b. $3000 - $4999 per month

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

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• 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 so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• 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

Functional Title

• Functional Title: CPS PAL Specialist I- IV
• Job Title: CPS PAL Spec IV
• Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
• Department: Region 6A CPS Dir Del - PAL
• Posting Number: 22167
• Closing Date: 10/20/2026
• Posting Audience: Internal and External
• Occupational Category: Protective Services
• Salary Range: $4,263.16-$6,779.25
• Pay Frequency: Monthly
• Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20
• Shift: Day
• Additional Shift: None
• Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
• Travel: Up to 75%
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Full Time/Part Time: Full time
• FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
• Facility Location:
• Job Location City: HOUSTON
• Job Location Address: 9111 EASTEX FWY STE 302
• Other Locations: None
• MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1 5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12

Brief Job Description

The position serves as the Preparation for Adult Living coordinator and is responsible for providing coordination between program staff and contractors; identifying and developing resources for Preparation for Adult Living youth; providing follow-up services to emancipated youth; providing consultation/education to staff, caregivers and community groups and for monitoring Preparation for Adult Living contract service delivery and coordinating contract management staff. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff, representatives from various organizations, and the general public.

Essential Job Functions

• Provides coordination for Preparation for Adult Living program implementation. Provides follow-up services to emancipated youth.
• Ensures children in care are receiving counseling and guidance in preparation for independent living/emancipation while they are still in care.
• Coordinates and assists in planning statewide and regional teen conferences as well as Peaks.
• Monitors Preparation for Adult Living contract service delivery and coordinates contract needs with contract management staff.
• Maintains sufficient case documentation including forms and narratives to provide a complete and accurate written record in assigned Preparation for Adult Living only cases for each youth receiving Preparation for Adult Living services.
• Provides Preparation for Adult Living program consultation/education to staff, caregivers and community groups.
• Develops and maintains communication and working relationships with clients, contractors, Department of Family and Protective Service staff and community.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications

Applicants for positions which require, as part of the essential functions of the job, driving a motor vehicle, 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 and license

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Knowledge of agency policies and procedures.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in investigative techniques.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use various software packages including, the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System and Word.
• Ability to travel and attend community events & meetings after 5pm and on weekends.
• Ability to be on call on a rotating basis.

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.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited tothose listed in this posting. All active‑duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions . You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at [e-mail] with additional questions.

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. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards. The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.

DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-documents .

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability. If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.