Foster Care Litigation (FCL) Placement 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 CPS Supervisor I – Foster Care Litigation (FCL) Placement Specialist position reports through the CPS State Office Placement Division. Performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services, and technical assistance. Work involves planning, developing, and implementing an agency program and providing consultative services and technical assistance to program staff, governmental agencies, community organizations, or the general public. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. The CPS Supervisor 1 – FCL Placement Specialist is responsible for ensuring compliance with the FCL remedial orders as it relates to placement services. This position is responsible for program policy, procedures, statutes and rules for Child Protective Services placement division relative to the FCL remedial orders. Position is responsible for the review of a foster home’s referral and compliance history as well as extended capacity requests and safety assessments. The FCL Placement Specialists are experienced staff who have expertise in CPS policy and procedure, including the placement process, are familiar with Minimum Standards for Child Placing Agencies, and understand how to conduct thorough research in the CLASS and IMPACT systems. Foster Care Litigation Placement Specialists ensure consistency in the quality, and content, of home history reviews; cornerstones of effectively ensuring the safety and well-being of children in foster home settings. The Foster Care Litigation Placement Specialist implements program guidelines, policies, procedures, rules, regulations and standards, monitors compliance with policies and procedures, and confers with caseworkers and supervisors to ensure the safety and well-being of children in foster care through detailed review of placement history and child’s permanency plan. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
• Implements program guidelines, procedures, policies, rules, and regulations; and monitors compliance with policies and procedures. Provides training or technical assistance in a program area. May prepare and conduct presentations for citizens, clients, staff, management, or elected officials.
• Evaluates risk to children through case reviews and effectively communicates those risks to CPS field staff for safety determinations.
• Confers with staff on program issues and problems in order to identify solutions.
• Produces written reports, and observations of potential risks associated with child safety. Assists in preparing management reports, analyses, and correspondence on the effectiveness of program activities.
• Responds to ad hoc requests from FCL for the CPS placement division.
• Leads work across different CPS and DFPS divisions to create consistent and streamlined processes.
• Oversees special projects and performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations
   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs): 

Knowledge of: 

• Program planning and implementation
• Laws and regulations related to child care, abuse, and neglect
• Child development principles and theories
• Community social services resources
• Laws and regulations related to child and adult protective services
• Gerontology and the dynamics of the aging process
• Crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Information systems used by Residential Child Care Licensing, Residential Child Care Investigations, and Child Protective Services.
   

Skill in:

• Interviewing
• Conducting individual needs assessments.
• Navigating multiple information systems
• Compiling complex information into a readable format.
• Effectively communicating and documenting risks to child safety.

Ability to: 

• Communicate effectively.
• Provide adequate instruction to field staff.
• Compile complex information.
• Succinctly communicate risks to field staff.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications: 

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria: 

Child Protective Services Supervisor I: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus eighteen months of full-time experience in Child Protective Services* or child placement services** in a public social services agency OR Currently employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor I in Family and Protective Services.
OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor I in Family and Protective Services.

Child Protective Services Supervisor II: Completion of Phase I Child Protective Services Specialist Certification and completion of the Child Protective Services Supervisor Certification OR Currently employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II in Family and Protective Services OR Currently employed in a Family and Protective Services management position in the Child Protective Services program at a level above Child Protective Services Supervisor AND prior experience as Child Protective Services Supervisor in Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II.

*Child Protective Services is professional social work where primary duties are providing social casework services to abused, neglected, or exploited children and their families; or in recruiting, studying, and certifying foster and adoptive homes.

**A Child placement service is the decision-making process around placing and monitoring children in licensed 24-hour childcare facilities and in adoptive placement in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Additional Information: 

This position may be filled as a CPS Supervisor I or II. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary.

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.