Safety Analyst

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.

This position may be filled Statewide.

The CPS Heightened Monitoring Safety Analyst Program Lead performs highly advanced consultative and technical work in researching, reviewing and monitoring child safety in residential child care facilities contracted with DFPS and SSCCs for placement of children and youth in DFPS conservatorship. This position conducts specialized analysis of operations on Heightened Monitoring through DFPS and HHSC.   The primary responsibility of this position will be gathering information about contracted residential child care facilities by reviewing IMPACT and CLASS records, regularly communicating with CPS Field staff, Residential Child-Care Licensing, Residential Child Care Investigations, Residential Child Care Contracts, local law enforcement, local schools, and reviewing reports and subsequently developing status reports for CPS leadership.  Additionally, this position will develop staff surveys, track facility progress with Heightened Monitoring and ensure communication with CPI and CPS field staff and CPS Placement staff.      

Through the gathering of information, this position will brief state office division administrators, directors, and members of the executive team on any trends and findings identified as part of the quality assurance process review.  This position will complete assignments related to subsequent actions from State Office meetings such as the Facility Intervention Team Staffing meetings and ensure cohesive communications between CPS State Office, Residential Child Care Licensing and Residential Child Care Contracts.    This position responds to short term or emergency requests with little turnaround time for completion.     This position may represent CPS by serving on community and professional groups and other governmental agency workgroups to further the program goals and mission.

This position works closely with Residential Child Care Contracts, Residential Child Care Licensing, Residential Child Care Investigations, CPS Program and Single Source Continuum providers to share and gather information about contracted placements.       The position routinely interacts with all internal and external stakeholders involved in each of the assignments, including DPFS Sate Office staff from all divisions, field staff and all levels, staff from other state and federal agencies, and providers of services for children in DFPS conservatorship.  This position must complete other duties as assigned.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (EJF): 

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.

• Researches and analyzes facilities on Heightened Monitoring.  Research includes reviewing records of children placed in the facilities.  This review includes, but is not limited to, reviewing monthly contacts, Child Plans of Service (CPOS), Service Levels, placement logs, Health Passport, Treatment Plans, Applications for Placement, conducting interviews with caseworkers assigned to the children’s cases, reviewing compliance history and abuse/neglect investigations in the Child Care Licensing automated Support System (CLASS), discharge rates from the facilities, regional FITS notes, and reviewing survey monkey results.  50%   

• Develops written reports for the Division Administrator and Director of XXXX outlining the findings from the research.  The reports consist of facts discovered through the research, as well as an assessment and recommendation regarding child safety and potential next steps for the facility and the children in the facility.    This position will also develop surveys for staff to conduct safety visits into facilities, as needed.        20%

• Responsible for ensuring that all pre and post action items for any operations staffed in Facility Intervention Team Staffing (FITS) are completed and documented within the timeframes. This position will routinely develop customized safety intervention strategies for facilities and communicate and coordinate those strategies and next steps with CPS and CPI field staff, SSCCs, RCCL, RCCI, and DFPS Contracts, as necessary and appropriate 20%

• Provides professional guidance, consulation, and consultates with  caseworkers, supervisors, field managers, placement staff, SSCC staff, contract staff, child care licensing staff,  and child care investigative staff.    5%

• Completes other duties as assigned and required to maintain business operaitons. 5%

LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, OR REGISTRATION REQUIRED: None

Initial Screening Criteria: 

Bachelor's Degree

5 years minimum DFPS experience

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of Child Placement Practices.
• Knowledge of CPS programs, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of DFPS residential child care contract requirements.
• General knowledge of SSCC protocols.
• General knowledge of Residential Child Care Investigations (RCCI) policies and practices.
• General knowledge of Residential Child Care Licensing (RCCL) Minimum Standards for General Residential Operations (GROs) and Child Placing Agencies (CPAs) and RCCL monitoring practices.
• Exceptional writing skills.
• Ability to research and write administrative reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Software, IMPACT 1.0, IMPACT 2.0, and CLASS.
• Ability to evaluate and interpret state and federal legislation and judicial mandates.
• Skill in providing technical assistance, training, written guidelines, and interpretation of policies and procedures to both agency staff and external stakeholders, particularly regarding placement practices and issues.
• Ability to review and evaluate service delivery through input from field staff, external stakeholders and review of management reports and special studies.
• Ability to develop working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 
• Ability to apply a critical and analytical approach to problem solving and the ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.

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.