Family Group Conference 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.

Functional Title: Family Group Conference Specialist 
Job Title: FGC Spec I 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Region 5 CPS Dir Del - FGDM 
Posting Number: 8115 
Closing Date: 08/27/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20 
Salary Range: $4,263.16 - $6,779.25 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 40% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: LUFKIN 
Job Location Address: 1210 S CHESTNUT ST 
Other Locations: Beaumont; Henderson; Port Arthur 
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 
 

Brief Job Description:

Job Description: This position works under the direct supervision of the Service Program Administrator and functions as a Family Group Conferencing Coordinator/Facilitator covering all areas of Region 05 and serving as backup for Region 04 occasionally. Work involves intense coordination and skilled facilitation of family meetings in Family Based Safety Services (FBSS). FGDM is NOT a remote program. This is Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm in-office position requiring some work after hours. Work involves coordinating and managing the receipt of referrals, orientation and preparation of participants, connecting with community resources and setting up the conferences. Work also involves facilitating and co-facilitating conferences and collaborating with family and stakeholders in order to determine an appropriate and mutually acceptable action plan. The position tracks the provision and utilization of services available through local community resources and state agencies for families participating in family conferences. The Specialist ensures families are provided the opportunity to participate in crafting/developing family plans that address child safety, permanency, and well-being issues through the FGDM process. Responsibilities also include presentations, the development of training and orientation materials for participants and coordinating with local community members in order to secure desired services. As needed and required, the Specialist coordinates and facilitates FGC, Re-Conferences, and ICM Case Staffings. Additional duties include the identification and collection of necessary evaluative data, statistical reports as requested, and conference site coordination. The Specialist collaborates with CPS and CPI Regional Staff, internal/external stakeholders, 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 children involved. The Specialist interacts routinely with Family and Protective Services Staff, Attorneys, the Court, and the general public.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Serves as the meeting facilitator to lead participants (family members, CPS, CPI, Community Base Care Provider, 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 and report on the details of the developed plan to all participants. 2. 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, serve as a communicator to assist the family in understanding the concerns for child safety and reason for CPS involvement. 3. Works with the CPS, CPI, Subject Matter Experts, other Family Services 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. 4. Assists the Service Program Administrator in the preparation of administrative reports, the collection of regional data associated with the FGDM practice to monitor performance outcomes and effectiveness. 5. In conjunction with the Service Program Administrator, assists in creating protocols for the development of Family Group Decision Making within the targeted community, including the decision-making about the acceptance of a referral, the preparation of family members, and the appropriateness of the resulting family plan. 6. Assists in the review and evaluation of community services to identify issues and trends resulting from the family’s use of those services. Make recommendations for improvements in services provided and in the Family Group Decision Making process to regional management and advisory/steering committees. 7. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain FGDM operations. 8. Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts. 9. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy. 10. Has reliable means of personal transportation.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

In depth knowledge of CPS program policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations. • Skill in leading others. Skills in facilitating groups and identifying group dynamics • Skill in solving problems. • Skill in organizing and managing time. • Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with agency staff at all levels and with community groups. • Skill in effective verbal and written communication. • Ability to develop work teams. • Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines. • Ability to work with volunteers, individuals and groups from diverse populations.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

None required.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Preferred qualifications include graduation from an accredited four-year college or university. Four years of full-time consultative, supervisor, management, social service, professional or technical work which must include experience working 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 and DFPS experience.

Additional Information:

Applicants will be required to travel within all of Region 05 to offer, coordinate and facilitate Family Group Conferences and/or other FGDM processes. This includes occasional travel to Region 04.

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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.

State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.

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.