FGC Spec I

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.

Brief Job Description:

This position is primarily responsible for coordinating and facilitating Meetings that fall under Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) meetings in Region 3 East, as well as other counties within Region 3 based on need for Family Based Safety Services.

This position works under the direct supervision of a Regional Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) Specialist. This position functions as the coordinator and/or facilitator of one or more models of Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) in the region. Position responsibilities may include the following types of family/youth meetings: Family Team Meetings (FTM), Family Group Conferences (FGC), Initial Coordination Meetings (ICM) and/or any future FGDM meeting models.

Work involves coordinating the receipt of referrals, orientation and preparation of family members, staff, & stake holders, connecting with community resources, and setting up family conferences. Work also involves facilitating conferences and collaborating with family and stakeholder participants to determine an appropriate action plan. The Family Conference Specialist assures families are provided the opportunity to craft family plans that address child safety, permanency, and well-being issues. Work includes documenting preparation and coordination activities, meeting information, family plans created, and outcomes in accordance with state and regional protocols.

Additional duties include the identification and collection of necessary evaluative data, statistical reports as requested, budgetary management, and conference site coordination. The position tracks the provision and utilization of services available through local community resources and state agencies for families participating in family conferences.

Responsibilities include the development of training and orientation materials for participants and coordinating with local community members to secure desired services.

The position attends family conferences, related CPS meetings, and case staffings. The position collaborates with FBSS regional staff and administration to create a process that encourages the identification of family strengths to resolve family issues and achieve safety, permanency, and well-being for the involved children. The position interacts routinely with Family and Protective Services staff, stakeholders, and the general public.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Serves as the meeting facilitator to lead participants (family members, CPS and stakeholders) in creating an appropriate action plan, utilizing mediation and facilitation skills. Ensures the plan developed by the family addresses the areas of child safety, permanency, and well-being through the identification of services provided through available family resources and community services. Documents & reports the details of the developed plan to all participants (30%).

Serves as the lead in the preparation and coordination of family participation in the process, and assures all proceedings occur in a manner that maintains the strength and integrity of the family group. Also, serves as a communicator to assist the family in understanding the concerns for child safety and reason for CPS involvement (30%).

Assists the FGDM Specialist in the preparation of administrative reports, the collection of regional data associated with FGDM to monitor performance outcomes and effectiveness (13%).

In conjunction with the regional Family Group Decision Making Specialist, creates protocols for the development of Family Group Decision Making within the targeted community, including the decision-making about the acceptance of a referral to the program, the preparation of family members, and the appropriateness of the resulting family plan (5%).

Works with the regional Family Group Decision Making Specialist and other Family Conference Specialists, and local advisory/steering committees in the development of services to respond to family needs that reduce family violence and increase family well-being (5%)

Assists in the review and evaluation of community services to identify issues and trends resulting from the family’s use of those services. Makes recommendations for improvements in services provided and in the family group decision making process to regional management and advisory/steering committees (5%).

Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit, regional, and agency operations (12%)

Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Travel:

Regional travel required. 75%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of: Internet and Intranet research, IMPACT 2.0, DFPS Data Warehouse, computer/cell phone applications, Microsoft Outlook (including Outlook Calendar), Word, & Excel, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft OneDrive, Microsoft One Note, Survey Monkey, office shared drives housed on agency network, dedicated conference call lines, and any other technologies that may be determined necessary in the future.

Skill in: Promoting and demonstrating appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all coworkers related contacts. As well as possessing skills in conflict resolution, communication, being organized and completing task timely.  

Ability to: Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. Ability to work with children youth, families, volunteers, individuals, and groups from diverse populations and varying levels of functioning. Ability to learn to master and regularly utilize the functions of various technologies required to complete duties.

Ability and willingness to perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit, regional, and agency operations.

Physical Abilities Required:

• ability to drive long distances day & night;

• carry and store supplies;

• pack supplies for transportation in personal vehicle;

• sitting, operating a computer;

• walking, standing, bending, kneeling and squatting;

• lifting, pushing & pulling;

• seeing;

• hearing;

• verbal and written communication

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; and three years full-time professional social service experience which must include: work with individuals or groups in a social service setting, analysis of work problems and interpretation of complex written material; or planning, organizing, and coordinating requirements for support services or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or DFPS experience.

Additional Information:

Available and able to work evenings and weekends as well as on-call as needed, per regional designation.

Preferred Criteria:

Graduate degree in a field associated with health and human services; Five years CPI/CPS field experience; Fluent in Spanish, written and spoken.

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.