Child Protective Services Investigator I - Texas Department of Family and Protective Services - Travis County (Austin, TX)
(2025-11 - 2026-06)
- Responds quickly in crisis situations involving children who may be in an abusive or neglectful situation. Sometimes these situations can be dangerous.
- Conducts forensic investigations of reports of abuse/neglect to children to determine if abuse or neglect occurred and conducts assessments to determine the current or future risk of harm to children.
- Observes children for signs of any harm and assess the signs to determine if they are the result of abuse or neglect. This could involve children with serious injuries and child fatalities.
- Interviews people in the case such as the parents, caregivers, person who reports the concern, family members, and others familiar with the family situation. This may include medical staff, teachers, law enforcement, etc.
- Assesses child safety and takes the necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate. This could include removing a child from their family.
- Talks frankly and objectively with families about matters they may consider personal and private, such as parenting decisions and actions, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
- Determines action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include working with families to identify family members who can assist with keeping the child safe, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, referring family for immediate crisis intervention therapy or other community resources.
- Documents all relevant and appropriate information gathered during the investigation and completes all required forms accurately and in a timely manner.
- Gathers family and kinship information to support the child in a placement, should the child be placed in DFPS custody.
- Participates in a regular on-call rotation that requires response to situations of abuse/neglect after normal business hours including overnight and weekend.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and the community.
- Works under constant deadlines that require prioritizing tasks and the ability to work flexible hours.
- Maintains a balance of objectivity and empathy for families living in stressful and crisis situations.
- Attends and participates in training/meetings/staffing.
- Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
- Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
Youth Care Worker - Southwest Key Programs - Brownsville, TX
(2022-05 - 2025-03)
Provide basic needs to youth upon arrival to the program (to include but not limited to meal, clothing, hygiene products, shower and bedroom assignment)
- Must provide Direct Care Services to youth to ensure that ratios and appropriate supervision levels are continuously met as per state and federal requirements
- Develop positive rapport with youth while serving as a role model to create a safe and caring environment
- Must ensure all forms and clients' services are properly completed in SWK's web-based program (ETO) to ensure compliance with state and federal requirements
- Assist with the planning and coordination of special educational events (to include but not limited to: spelling bee, science fair), acculturation activities, educational and recreational outings (to include but not limited to: movies, park, amusement parks), assist in the coordination of student council activities.
- Provide vocational courses and curriculum in a subject area approved by the program director or designees that introduces youth to career choices
- Assist with the coordination of Physical Education instruction and other large muscle activities in coordination with the Program Director or designee as required by state and federal requirements
- Must assist in the evacuation of youth as needed due to inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, or other unforeseen occurrences
- Observe, report and document identified behavior patterns and required information that merit documentation such as: Elevated supervision forms, close observations, food logs, sleep logs and bed check logs
- May be asked to provide personal care services to infants and toddlers in a childcare setting
- Perform a variety of tasks to include but not limited to: dressing, feeding, bathing, and overseeing toddler's play
- Attend all organizational required trainings
- Attend trainings that will enhance professional growth in the area of Education, Vocational curriculum and instruction, other topics as deemed appropriate by the program director or designee
- Attend departmental and program meetings to ensure that up-to-date information is received and/or information of policy changes or practice are adhered to.
Sales Associate - The Children's Place - Brownsville, TX
(2021-05 - 2021-10)
- Provided customer service
- Recovery - Organized merchandise
