Cps Conservatorship Worker

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 monitors 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 Worker may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.
- A Child Protective Services Conservatorship Specialist
- SAO CPS Conservatorship Specialist.
- 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 Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas.
- DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Service Loan Forgiveness Program, which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments, but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System 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:
This position may be filled at any level from a CPS Specialist I to CPS Specialist IV. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary.- During the 83rd Legislature (2013), the Texas Legislature passed Senate Bill (SB) 427 which requires prospective and current child placing agency (CPA) employees to complete a Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) fingerprint check. Child Protective Services functions as a CPA therefore a fingerprint check will be required for each Conservatorship (CVS) and Foster/Adoption home (FAD) direct delivery staff or applicant being considered for employment.
- 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.COMPETENCIES REQUIRED/ACQUIRED DURING THE FIRST FEW MONTHS OF EMPLOYMENT:

- PROCESS COMPETENCIES
- A process competency refers to a general approach to practice that can be observed in a newly hired CPS Specialists' interactions with children, families, and safety networks.
- Engaging
- Understands and is able to articulate how family engagement is critical to achieving safety, permanency, and well-being.
- Can identify basic strategies for engaging children and families.
- Understands and appreciates the different views, expertise and experience of others; takes into account the perspectives of other individuals

Teaming
- Understands the need to expand the child's safety network beyond caregivers and to other adults who care about the child and can participate in day to day safety of the child.
- Interviews caregivers to identify individuals who may be supportive of the caregiver and/or child.
- Interviews children to identify individuals who may be supportive of the child and/or caregiver.

Assessing
- Understands and is able to articulate the concept of child safety.
- Is able to identify one's own biases and is willing to challenge one's own thinking.
- Regularly seeks information from a variety of sources to make and revise assessments.
- Understands the importance of and is able to make judgments based on factual information vs. assumptions.

Planning
- Considers ways to ensure personal safety in addition to safety of children and families during interviews and other meetings

Intervening
- Understands and is able to articulate what an intervention is and the variety of interventions CPS might use under which circumstances.

Evaluating
- Understands and is able to articulate personal responsibility for outcomes in a case.

CONTENT COMPETENCY
- A content competency refers to a specialized domain of knowledge that should be integrated into process competencies.
- Domestic Violence
- Understands and is able to identify power and control.
- Distinguishes domestic violence from other types of violence
- Is able to identify and refer both victims and perpetrators of domestic violence to appropriate services.

Mental Health
- Can articulate symptoms of broad me