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The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals.  

 

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.

You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure

 

Functional Title: CPS Kinship Worker 
Job Title: CPS KIN Spec I 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Region 7 CPS Dir Del - KIN 
Posting Number: 14121 
Closing Date: 03/06/2026 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Range: $3,816.65 - $5,372.41 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-17 
Shift: Day 
Additional Shift:  
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 75% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: WACO 
Job Location Address: 1711 HERRING AVE 
Other Locations:  
MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1 
5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12 
 
 



Brief Job Description:

The position assists staff in identifying kinship placements for children in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) conservatorship. Work involves referring families to supportive services, which include training, case management, family counseling, support groups, and information and referral services. The position coordinates these services and assists families in obtaining financial assistance offered by Department to help stabilize placements. The position works to identify community activities, services and resources designed to preserve, strengthen, and reunify families. The position assures that kinship caregivers are provided the opportunity to participate in the development of child plans that address child safety, permanency, and well-being issues. The position attends related CPS meetings, case staffing’s and court hearings. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, Regional and State Office staff, and the community at large.

 

 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs): 

Establishes a regional network and becomes an expert in the knowledge of community services and resources available to kinship caregivers, coordinates these services and resources for kinship caregivers to facilitate and maintain kinship placements for children in the conservatorship of DFPS. Develops and provides training to CPS staff and families on placement issues for children on both an individual and formal classroom basis. Assists in case planning activities as it pertains to identifying and preparing families to meet the needs of children that have been abused and neglected, including individual case staffings with DFPS staff and attending Permanency Planning Team meetings and court hearings as required. Provides input to CPS staff on best practice philosophy in the area of kinship care. Identifies and collects necessary evaluative data and statistical information to measure outcomes concerning safety, permanency, and well- being for the involved children. Determines kinship families' eligibility for kinship financial benefits. Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

 

 

 Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):


  • In depth knowledge of CPS program policies and procedures, applicable laws and regulations.

  • Knowledge of community resources and services available for children

  • Skill in organizing and managing time

  • Skill in effective written and verbal communication to organize facilitate and maintain meetings

  • Ability to work well with a variety of levels of staff inside and outside the agency in order to secure placements, resources, and services to meet children’s needs.

  • Ability to clearly articulate and advocate placement issues and specific needs for children.

  • Ability to concisely document specific needs and the services required to meet the children’s needs.

  • Ability to work in the evenings and on the weekends.

 

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 Specialist 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 include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.

 

Child Protective Services Specialist II: Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

 

Child Protective Services Specialist III: Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

 

Child Protective Services Specialist IV: Employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III or IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

 

 

 

Additional Information: 

 This position may be filled at any level from a CPS Specialist I to CPS Specialist IV. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary.

Community-Based Care (CBC) is a new way to provide services than traditional foster care because it gives local communities the flexibility to draw on local strengths and resources and find innovative ways to meet the unique and individual needs of children and their families. CBC includes many of the services that Child Protective Services (CPS) normally provides. This includes foster care, case management, kinship, and reunification services. A single contractor in each designated community area creates a network of services, foster homes, and other living arrangements and, when ready, provides case management for each child and their family as well. CPS works with each contractor (Single Source Continuum Contractor or SSCC) to carefully manage the transition from traditional foster care to community-driven care. Full implementation of CBC is projected for the year 2029 across the state of Texas. With open proposal options, any given community or regional area may be selected for CBC transition. This position along with your job duties and function will shift form a state position with Texas Department of Family Protective Services to the SSCC, which is a private and non-profit agency serving the same foster care population. After the transition, your office location is subject to change within your same county which is expected to occur before 2029. To learn more about CBC, please visit Community-Based Care.

 

 

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.

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.