What are the responsibilities and job description for the CPS KIN Spec I/II/III/IV position at Texas Health and Human Services Commission?
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 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 KIN Spec I/II/III/IV
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Region 11 CPS Dir Del - KIN
Posting Number: 3876
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-19
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 60%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: ROBSTOWN
Job Location Address: [[custOfficeAdd]]
Other Locations: Corpus Christi
MOS Codes:
31D, 35L, 35M, 68X, 73A, 311A, 351L, 351M, HM, IS, NC, 183X, 230X, 683X, 783X, IV, MST, INV, ISS
OAP12, 0149, 5821, 5822, 5832, 1N0X1, 4C0X1, 4E0X1, 14NX, 42SX, 43HX, 71SX, 0868, 66C, 47L, 66R
67D, L24A, 001387
Job Description:
CPS KIN Spec I/II/III/IV
THIS POSITION IF SELECTED IN CORPUS WILL COVER ONLY ROBSTOWN/CALALLEN AREA, AS THIS IS STILL NUECES COUNTY.
Essential Job Functions:
performs other duties as assigned.
- Establishes a regional network and becomes an expert in the knowledge of community services and resources available to kinship caregivers, coordinates these services and resources for kinship caregivers to facilitate and maintain kinship placements for children in the conservatorship of DFPS.
- Develops and provides training to CPS staff and families on placement issues for children on both an
- Assists in case planning activities as it pertains to identifying and preparing families to meet the
staff and attending Permanency Planning Team meetings and court hearings as required. (45%)
- Provides input to CPS staff on best practice philosophy in the area of kinship care. (10%)
- Identifies and collects necessary evaluative data and statistical information to measure outcomes
- Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work related
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 Abilities:
- In depth knowledge of CPS program policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations.
- Knowledge of resources and services available for children.
- Ability to work well with a variety of levels of staff inside and outside the agency in order to secure appropriate placements, resources, and services to meet children’s needs.
- Ability to clearly articulate placement issues and specific needs for children.
- Ability to clearly document the specific needs and the services required to meet the child’s needs.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Additional Information:
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.
Newly hired DFPS employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone. Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk here.
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 mental health diagnostic categories.
- Is able to make appropriate referrals for crisis intervention, psychological and psychiatric evaluations.
- Can articulate mental health resilience factors and recovery process.
Substance Abuse
- Distinguishes between substance use, abuse, and chemical dependency.
- Can articulate physical and behavioral warning signs of substance use and abuse.
- Administers and/or makes referrals for drug testing as appropriate.
- Makes referrals to community and contracted services available to treat substance abuse.
- Can articulate substance abuse resiliency factors and recovery process.
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES
Demonstrates a basic understanding of the following
- Federal and state law, regulations and rules for the operation of child protection programs.
- The statutory responsibility for reporting suspected abuse and neglect
- Roles and responsibilities of participants in the global child welfare system, including children, families, child protection, various courts, and other child/family serving agencies
- Legal definitions and concepts, including ethics, and is able to apply them within the law to casework and judicial process
Establishes Effective Relationships with Colleagues
- Is willing to accept and provide support and assistance from/to co-workers, supervisors and other child protective services employees
- Is able to build and maintain effective working relationships with external stakeholders
Follows policy and procedures
- Is able to learn and understand the specific policies and procedures for child protective services
- Understands the policy requirements of ethical practice and the ramifications to staff and clients when this does not occur.
- Demonstrates adherence to policy and best practice
Documenting
- Records observations accurately as part of case documentation, using specific quotes and precise behavioral descriptions of the danger and its impact on the child
- Prepares clear, accurate, and appropriate written communications or documents
- Prepares court documents such as petitions, affidavits and court reports
Managing Time
- Acts quickly to solve problems and to get things done
- Uses technology, "to-do" lists or other tools to manage time, keep track of what needs to be done, and manage multiple, pressing job demands
- Regularly re-assesses and re-prioritizes in order to focus attention on the most important tasks
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
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 necessarily limited to, extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases and heights.
Interview Requirements:
Any candidate who is called to an agency for an interview must notify the interviewing agency in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
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. 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 dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
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.
Salary : $4,020 - $6,336
