Legal Liaison

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.

Job Description: Facilitates and expedites Child Protective Services (CPS) conservatorship cases to permanency through the legal system within the parameters of the Texas Family Code and the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) policy guidelines. The Legal Liaison develops and maintains positive and constructive working relationships between DFPS and the District Courts, District Attorney's Office, law enforcement agencies, and Court Appointed Special Advocates organization. Liaisons educate, enable, and empower Child Protective Investigations (CPI) and CPS staff to represent TDFPS as an agency while engaging with families and protecting children within the legal system. Liaisons interact routinely with CPI/CPS Staff, Advocacy Center staff, District Judges, County Attorney Staff, Court Administrators, attorneys, Court Appointed Special Advocates staff, law enforcement, constables, witnesses, other social, medical, and psychological agencies, facilities and practitioners in Denton County, throughout Texas, and across the country.

Essential Job Functions:

• Consults with caseworkers and supervisors regarding removal decisions.
• Develops, prepares, reviews, and edits affidavits, court reports, service subpoenas, inquires, discovery (interrogatories, production, admissions, and disclosures), and files, handles and prepares correspondence, and memoranda.
• Prepares Cases for Hearings or Trials -Coordinates, develops and updates responses to discovery requests; locating, subpoenaing, interviewing, scheduling witnesses; researches prior legal cases, sources, statutes and judicial decisions upon request by the District or Regional Attorney. Develops, prepares, maintains and updates trial notebooks for Regional Attorney, compiles affidavits, exhibits and business records for trial, prepares attorneys by scheduling and meeting with fact and expert witnesses; monitors and assists with appeal of final hearing.
• Attends court hearings, trials, and emergency hearings.
• Verifies each parent has been served; verifies out of county and state service and notification to Indian tribes.
• Attends Permanency Conferences/Family Group Conferences, legal staffings, pre-removal staffings, post-removal staffings, pre-trial meetings, and mediation when requested.
• Informs CPI/CPS staff and District Attorney staff of case status, legal issues, decisions, provides and interprets legal information that enables CPI/CPS staff in making responsible casework decisions.
• Trains CPI/CPS staff by developing curriculum and training materials, conducts the training seminars, keeps staff informed of changes in the Texas Family Code and TDFPS policy. May also assist with coordinating training seminars for attorney ad litems in conjunction with other community agencies.
• Assists caseworkers with interviewing clients regarding legal issues, executing affidavits of relinquishment, affidavits of status, and affidavits of waivers of interest with CPI/CPS parents;
• Monitors CPI/CPS case recommendations to the court for consistency with the Texas Family Code and TDFPS policy and procedures in order to ensure that the agency maintains credibility with the court system.
• Performs other duties assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency policy.
• Promotes and demonstrates the Agencies Mission and Values through their performance and conduct.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contact.  

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

Knowledge of:

Texas Rules of Civil Procedures and the Texas Family Code.

• Child Protective Investigations and Child Protective Services policies, guidelines, and philosophy.
• The rules of discovery.
• Basic legal documents regarding CPI/CPS cases.

 Skills using/in:

• Microsoft Office Software including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word.
• Information Management Protecting Adults and Children of Texas (IMPACT).
• Basic office equipment (fax machine, postage meter, copier, telephone system).
• Handling large workload and meeting deadlines.
• Establishing priorities and multitasking.
• Creating and maintaining effective tracking systems for critical task completion and case information.
• Utilizing leadership skills and administrative skills to provide support to agency staff, attorneys, and partners in the legal system. 
• Establishing a physical and digital organized work environment.
• Working effectively with CPI/CPS staff, the legal community, and the general public.

 Ability to:

• Create and maintain effective and professional relationships with a number of partner agencies.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Manage time and large workload effectively with minimum direct supervision.
• Work effectively in highly energetic situations and environments.
• Be flexible in responding to emergency situations on a daily basis.
• Type and give attention to details.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications- N/A 

Initial Screening Criteria- Minimum Qualifications: Currently, or previously, certified as a Child Protective Investigations or Child Protective Services Specialist III (equals a minimum of 18 months of experience) or above. Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Child Protective Services Substitute Care/Conservatorship experience is preferred, but not required.  

Additional Information: There are 4 Legal Support Specialists for Region 07.  The selection will be housed within the region and will not be considered a mobile position; however, will have frequent travel in region to court and to meet with CVS teams.  The position will report to the CVS Program Administrator and can be housed at any office in the region with space available for assignment. 

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.