About the role#
When a child is removed from their home, the Texas courts appoint Child Protective Services to act as their conservator. As a Conservatorship Worker, you are legally responsible for a child's welfare during this time. You will work directly with children, parents, extended family, and legal parties to ensure the child is safe and to find a permanent, stable home environment.
What you'll do#
- Receive cases from investigators after a child is removed from their home.
- Determine the child's needs and coordinate necessary referrals for testing or evaluations.
- Identify potential permanency resources by maintaining contact with parents and family members.
- Conduct home studies for kinship providers and family friends.
- Meet with parents to assess risk, discuss safety issues, and identify necessary behavioral changes.
- Visit children monthly to assess their safety, well-being, and progress.
- Attend and participate in court hearings, including preparing reports and providing testimony.
- Collaborate with the Placement Team, department attorneys, and community professionals like law enforcement and medical staff.
- Support kinship caregivers and foster parents throughout the placement.
- Manage reunification efforts and supervise adoptive placements until finalized.
- Document all case activities through detailed records, reports, and narratives.
What you'll need#
- A Bachelor's degree, OR an Associate's degree with two years of relevant work experience, OR 60 college credit hours with two years of experience, OR 90 college credit hours with one year of experience.
- Relevant experience includes paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services providing support to families or at-risk populations.
- A reliable motor vehicle, a valid Texas driver's license, and an acceptable driving record for the past five years.
- Ability to pass a drug screening, a background check, and an FBI fingerprint check.
- Ability to work in an environment that may involve travel to home visits in various locations and conditions.
- Ability to work irregular hours and participate in an on-call rotation.
Location & details#
- This is a full-time, on-site position based in Austin, Texas.
- Travel is required for this role, up to 70% of the time.
About Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services is a government agency based in Austin. It focuses on protecting children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The agency manages services related to adoption, foster care, and child care licensing. It employs more than 12,000 workers to support the citizens of Texas. The department was established in 2004.
How to get in at Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
Securing an internship at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services requires staying ahead of the application cycle. Because government roles often fill quickly, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere. Applying early ensures your materials are reviewed before the pile grows. You should also focus on identifying the right points of contact within the agency. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral, which materially improves response rates.
