CPS CVS Adoption Prep Specialist I-IV

What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck

When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income. Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

The position works under the supervision of a CVS supervisor and provides permanent planning and placement services to abused or neglected children. This position can be filled from the worker I-IV level. The position recruits, trains, studies, licenses, and develops foster and adoptive homes for the Child Protective Services program. The position supports families and children in dealing with separation and attachment issues in preparation for permanent placements, actively seeks placement options for specific children, and recommends placements. The position participates in abuse and neglect investigations related to foster/adoptive families as assigned. The position may assist the Texas Adoption Resource Exchange Coordinator by gathering and reviewing information pertaining to children available for adoption, preparing information listed on the Department of Family and Protective Services internet website for Texas Adoption Resource Exchange, fielding calls, screening families inquiring about adoption and forwarding information to caseworkers assigned to recruit for the child. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff, children, foster/adoptive parents, child placement agencies, lawyers, court personnel, therapist and other state agencies.

Newly hired employees holding a master’s degree in Social Worker may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:To explore more of what CPS Adoption Preparation Workers do, click here.

For a realistic job preview of this position and to learn more DFPS, please click here. You will also have access to a self-assessment that will help you determine if this type of work is something that is a good fit for you.

DFPS is committed to its employees' professional development and ongoing success and offers the DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within our organization. The program is tailored specifically for DFPS employees, provides the opportunity to earn additional compensation through a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and innovation, and equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to deepen their expertise in their respective role.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Recruits, identifies and matches children with prospective adoptive families; and provides services to children in adoptive placement
• Recruits, trains, completes studies, licenses and develops foster and adoptive families.
• Maintains sufficient case documentation, including forms and narratives, to provide a complete and accurate written record
• Builds and maintains communication and working relationships within the program and region and community groups in order to ensure that the objectives of the agency are accomplished.
• Conducts assessments of current life situations of child or children and families to determine the presence of child abuse and neglect.
• Provides services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of good child placement practices
• Skills in preparing children for adoptive placements
• Skills in developing and maintaining professional working relationships
• Ability to support families in dealing with separation and attachment issues
• Ability to assess child’s needs and progress in the placement process
• Ability to maintain timely documentation and effectively manage caseload
• Ability to convey information in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to assess current life situations of children to determine the presence of child abuse and/or neglect.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.

Applicants for positions must have a reliable motor vehicle, and acceptable driving record for the past five years, and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load. Applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Child Protective Services Adoption Prep Worker I: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services