CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - CIVIL SERVICE EXAMINATION ANNOUCEMENT (EXAM #7387)

State of careers Rhode Island • Meriden, CT

5d • $73,601 - $85,209

About The Position

This announcement is for a Civil Service Examination (#7387) to establish a civil service list for the position of Child Protective Investigator within the Department of Children, Youth, and Families. The examination is 100% written, and a minimum score of 70 is required. The resulting civil service list will be in effect for up to four years. The role involves receiving, screening, evaluating, and investigating reports of child abuse and/or neglect to ensure child safety and well-being. This includes conducting interviews, documenting referrals, engaging with families and community partners, making safety determinations, developing safety plans, making referrals to community services, preparing court documents, and providing testimony in court. The position requires collaboration with various professionals and agencies. The job profile indicates that after application, candidates must pass the Civil Service Exam before being offered an interview.

Requirements

• Possession of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited institution of higher learning in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Human Services, Criminal Justice.
• 2-3 years of full-time employment in a private or public agency in the field of human services casework with experience assessing and working with families and providing direct services in the community related to child welfare, child safety and child well-being.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• Subject to background clearances.
• Strong engagement, interview and assessment skills and the ability to apply these skills effectively to gather critical information from children/families and other sources.
• Ability to de-escalate situations.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to engage children/families in their homes and in the community to gather accurate information to inform child safety decisions and to clearly articulate these safety decisions to families, supervisors, RI Family Court and other stakeholders.
• Strong writing skills to document investigative findings, assessments and court documents as required.
• Ability to effectively work as a member of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and manage unanticipated emergencies.
• Knowledge of child development, behavioral health and disorders including but not limited to substance use disorders and domestic violence.
• Familiarity of the principles, practices, and techniques of social work including Child Welfare and Child Protection.
• Familiarity with community services and systems.
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all investigations.
• Experience and skills related to computer, internet, and data entry to search data bases and enter case notes.
• Ability to accept and seek direction, identify critical information and accurately share information with supervisors.
• Experience, knowledge and sensitivity related to diverse populations, cultural competency and race equity.
• Ability to effectively manage high risk situations and work independently.
• Shift assignments could include nights and weekends.

Responsibilities

• Receive, screen, evaluate, investigate and assess child safety in response to reports alleging child abuse and/or neglect.
• Take the necessary steps as required to ensure child safety and well-being and to complete related work as required.
• Receive calls and conduct phone interviews and review records to obtain critical information and apply the criteria for a CPS investigation in order to determine the disposition of CPS reports to the Child Abuse Hotline.
• Clearly document all referrals/complaints in accordance with DCYF policies and procedures related to the processing of CPS reports.
• Effectively engage children/families, community partners and others through face-to-face contact in the field, written correspondence, and phone contact in order to gather information in accordance with DCYF's Vision and Mission, Policies, Practice Model and procedures related to Child Protective Investigations.
• Effectively interview families, providers, and collateral participants to gather critical information.
• Apply the information to make accurate determinations relative to child safety and well-being.
• When appropriate, develop viable safety plans by effectively engaging families and their supports to mitigate identified safety threats.
• Make referrals to community-based prevention services as needed.
• Identify behavioral changes needed to achieve child safety and well-being and make referrals to community services as appropriate.
• Provide and prepare documents for submission to RI Family Court and law enforcement, to provide testimony before the Court to support safety decisions and findings.
• Perform related work as required.

Benefits

• Information regarding benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees can be found on the Office of Employee Benefits' website.
• Direct deposit for all employees is required for new hires after September 30, 2014.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level