Office of Child Safety - Child Safety 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 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:

The Child Safety Specialist (Program Specialist VI) with the Office of Child Safety is responsible for coordinating the agency's efforts on a regional level throughout the state relating to risk and safety for children. The Child Safety Specialist provides leadership to develop and implement strategies to enhance the safety of children across all stages of service within the Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Protective Services (CPS) program. The Child Safety Specialist coordinates with all levels of regional staff to promote consistency and skill building in safety knowledge, decision-making, and methods to focus on child safety issues. The Child Safety Specialist is accountable for making decisions that are critical to the agency. The Child Safety Specialist interacts routinely with the state Child Safety Specialist Leads, all levels of regional staff, and the general public.

The Child Safety Specialist performs highly advanced (senior-level) consultative services and technical assistance work. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing major agency program(s) and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others. Works under minimal supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Plans, prioritizes, and performs of a variety of technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative activities for assigned program(s) including overseeing the delivery of services; provides high-level technical assistance for a program; and creates efficiencies where opportunities occur.

• Provides consultative services, analysis, and technical assistance to design, implement and monitor solutions and improvements resulting from assessments of high-risk CPI cases through one on one and group meetings, and other means of communication such as electronic mail (email). 
• Analyzes high-risk, complex, sensitive, and high-profile CPI cases to assess child safety issues.
• Evaluates CPI cases at specific decision points during active case management to provide subject matter expertise and technical guidance to CPI caseworkers and management.
• Conducts safety and risk assessments, identifies necessary changes, and approaches, and provides targeted guidance through one on one and group meetings regarding required actions to ensure child safety. 
• Conducts next-level approval of high-risk cases subsequent to supervisory review to ensure child safety factors are addressed.
• Creates efficiencies by evaluating and assessing CPI and CPS caseworker work product and provides direction and guidance during one on one meetings targeted towards more thorough assessments and implementing strategies to improve productivity.   
• Creates efficiencies by evaluating management meetings between CPI and CPS caseworkers and supervisors, providing direction, guidance, and discussion of ways to develop and encourage critical thinking skills.  

Coordinates the collection, organization, analysis, and preparation of materials in response to requests for program information and reports.

• Completes review, evaluation, assessment, and/or approval of CPI and CPS cases, which include, but are not limited to; case staffings, case reviews for multiple referrals, case reviews regarding multi-stage staffings, case reviews related to target information requests, and child fatalities. 
• Analyzes information collected during case reviews and inputs into data systems.
• Conducts monthly to quarterly meetings with CPI or CPS staff to provide analysis of information reviewed and data obtained. 

Completes and monitors required administrative and performance reports, studies, and specialized projects; and recommends appropriate changes to programs.

• Consults with regional and state office management, regional caseworkers, and field staff, OCRS, CPI, and CPS state office program and policy staff to provide guidance, technical assistance and program subject matter expertise designed to improve CPI active case management, decision-making processes, and outcomes.  This occurs through review, meetings, and other means of verbal and written communication.
• Consults with external public and private stakeholders, consumers of child protective investigations, volunteers, advocates, judges, other social service providers, educational, juvenile justice, workforce development boards and organizations during monthly to quarterly meetings to discuss policies and practices and assists in determining recommendations for changes. 
• Provides written and verbal communication to CPI and CPS programs with recommendations for changes to policies and practice. 

Ensures compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules; and takes corrective action(s) as needed.

• Reviews and analyzes cases to determine compliance with agency policies, procedures, statues, and rules. 
• Provides written feedback in various forms regarding needed corrective action.
• Identifies program, policy, knowledge and procedural gaps and inconsistencies, assesses the need for new training development for program and agency staff, and provides guidance to agency and program leadership in the development, coordination and deployment of agency training materials and activities.

Provides high-level advice and counsel by interpreting policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and standards related to the program.

• Provides guidance and consultation regarding the implementation, interpretation and application of state and federal legislation and judicial mandates regarding the CPI and CPS program during one on one and group meetings, and trainings.  
• Provides technical assistance regarding the review and assessment of state and federal laws, regulations, policies, and trends affecting the program and advises program management, staff, and caseworkers as appropriate.
• Develops and implements plans and strategies to improve CPI and CPS casework functions and processes and promote program efficiencies and service delivery.  This occurs through one on one and group meetings, trainings, and could occur through workgroups within OCRS and/or collaboratively with other programs and divisions.  

Performs and/or oversees studies and analyses of operations and problems and the preparation of reports of findings and recommendations.

• Oversees the compilation and analysis of data and information from various sources to include CPI and CPS; and external stakeholders to contribute critical data for shaping program goals, objectives, and priorities.
• Conducts in-depth analyses to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of CPI and CPS program strategies, policies, procedures, and initiatives, and makes recommendations for improvement.  This occurs through review of cases, policies, and procedures; and delivered through one on one or group meetings, trainings, and through other means of communication such as email.  
• Provides data and prepares reports relating to the findings of analysis and evaluation which are shared through various means such as meetings and trainings.   
• Provides recommendations regarding problematic issues and processes to CPI and CPS programs. 

Analyzes legislation to develop recommendations for policy in programmatic issues relating to the implementation, improvement, and/or expansion or reduction of program funding; and assists in responding to legislative and external inquiries and requests.

• Plans, develops, implements, and monitors special projects, legislative requirements and other initiatives associated with program strategy.
• Manages and coordinates the completion of specialized research projects, reports, and issues papers regarding the implementation of legislative mandates; which are shared through various means such as meetings and trainings.  
• Facilitates the development and completion of studies, analyses, research, assessments and evaluations of program strategies, policies and procedures, and other investigations program initiatives and activities, and develops written findings and recommendations.

Speaks to community and professional groups to coordinate, improve, and stimulate interest in the program(s) and to secure support for program(s).

• Provides subject matter expertise and CPI and CPS policy interpretations and prepares communications and responses to stakeholder and legislative inquiries and data requests regarding the CPI and CPS program, and related initiatives.
• Facilitates program communications with internal and external stakeholders including CPI and CPS state office and field staff, other state and federal agencies, client service providers, stakeholders, and legislative offices through various means of written and verbal communication.
• Prepares documentation, provides subject matter expertise, and communicates with CPI and CPS field staff in preparation for meetings, and facilitates case reviews during regional and statewide committee/team meetings with internal and external stakeholders.
• Serves as a subject matter expert, and offers guidance, consultation and technical assistance to agency staff and internal and external stakeholders to foster effective program service delivery. This occurs through one on one and group meetings, and trainings. 

Consults with public and private agencies involved in the programs to resolve problems, identify training needs, and discuss program effectiveness.

• Represents the program at meetings, conferences, workgroups, hearings, and other events. 
• Provides technical assistance and guidance to other agencies, state and national level service providers, and other stakeholders to ensure coordination, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of CPI and CPS programs, legislative mandates, and program initiatives.
• Represents the agency in multi-disciplinary committees in discussion of case related issues to ensure understanding and effectiveness.   

Prepares and evaluates program budget requests.

• Oversees and coordinates with peers when necessary to develop and implement meetings, conferences, and other business functions by determining venues, speakers, and necessary supplies; and prepares the requests for these items by filling out needed forms and working in the CAPPS Financial system.   
• Coordinates with outside entities to determine processes and cost for business functions created by OCRS. 
• Prepares requests for items necessary for maintenance of OCRS job duties by speaking with OCRS director and employees to determine needs.
• Evaluates if OCRS has funds available for items requested for the development and maintenance of OCRS job duties by reviewing budget spreadsheets, and meetings with DFPS Budget personnel and OCRS director. 

Assists management with developing program policies, procedures, standards, and manuals; and planning program activities in accordance with program objective and goals.

• Develops and delivers targeted program training modules designed to assist CPI caseworkers, staff and management achieve efficient service delivery and tailored services to client populations.
• Serves as a subject matter expert, and offers guidance, consultation and technical assistance to agency staff and internal and external stakeholders to foster effective program service delivery through various means of verbal and written communication.
• Coordinates with CPI and CPS caseworkers, staff, and management in group meetings and trainings to develop and change policies, procedures, and manuals. 
• Assists in the distribution and implementation of new and/or updated policies and procedures through meetings, trainings, and other means of communication such as email.     

Assists management with developing and implementing effective techniques for evaluating agency programs, identifying the need for new programs, and providing guidance to staff in the development and integration of new methods and procedures.

• Advises management regarding caseworker development and child safety issues to address trends and patterns noted via case analysis.
• Provides consultative and advisory services to stakeholders by analyzing program strategies, identifying areas for improvement and gaps in services, and recommending improvements.
• Develops programmatic monitoring tools and performance measures to ensure timely, appropriate implementation of legislative and program requirements.
• Provides guidance and consultation regarding CPI and CPS program strategy initiatives. 

May serve as the lead on implementation and ongoing management of complex program initiatives.

• Oversees the organization, discussion, and delivery of new program initiatives within OCRS. 
• Participates and acts as lead and subject matter expert in the development and implementation of new program initiatives within OCRS and with CPI or CPS programs. 
• Uses subject matter expertise in the ongoing management of new initiatives for OCRS and in collaboration with CPI or CPS programs.

May coordinate and implement risk and compliance activities.

• Oversees and facilitates targeted meetings for the completion of case reviews. 
• Provides subject matter expertise during the competition of cases to ensure compliance with policies and risk and safety for children.  

May serve as a lead worker providing direction to others.

• Serves as a lead, mentoring new employees, and providing oversight and direction to new employees within their unit and program.
• Oversees development and implementation in workgroups designed for the determination and review of new policies and procedures within OCRS.
• Oversees development and implementation in workgroups designed for the determination and review of new policies and procedures that include CPI and CPS programs.  

Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and Child Protective Services (CPS) program.

Knowledge of CPI and CPS programs and child welfare practices.

Knowledge of contracted and community providers and services provided to children and families involved with CPI and CPS.

Knowledge of CPI and CPS programs, policies and procedures.

Knowledge of federal and state law regarding CPI and CPS.

Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels.

Skill in effective verbal and written communication.

Skill in negotiation and problem resolution.

Skill in leading others and facilitating group meetings.

Skill in leading projects, managing work processes, producing deliverables and determining outcomes.

Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.

Skill in program planning, development and implementation.

Ability to represent OCRS and the agency effectively with key stakeholders.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze data and facts.

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, develop staff and oversee the work of others.

Ability to approach problems critically and analytically.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.

Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.

Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities and supervise the work of others.

Ability to present information at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Must have experience as a Child Protective Investigation Supervisor or Program Director, Child Protective Services Supervisor or Program Director, OCRS Child Safety Specialist, OCRS Program Specialist or a OCRS Risk Manager within the past two years.

Additional Information:

This position can be housed in any office in 3W. Work location will be determined upon hiring and based on availability.

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.