CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Jourdanton, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

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. They do this through investigations, services, and referrals. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Investigators investigate claims of child abuse and neglect, figuring out what happened and predicting future risks. CPI receives and investigates reports of abuse and neglect 24 hours per day, every day of the year. A CPI investigation includes interviewing and gathering information to determine if abuse or neglect occurred and if intervention is necessary. The investigator considers both risk and safety issues and may recommend services for the child and family to reduce the risk of further abuse or neglect. DFPS is committed to its employees' professional development and ongoing success and offers the DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within the organization, providing opportunities for additional compensation.

Requirements

Knowledge of child development
Knowledge of family dynamics
Skill in effective verbal and written communication
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships
Skill in problem solving techniques
Ability to operate a personal computer
Ability to travel and attend child and family visits as well as other work related appointments and meetings after 5pm
Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours
Ability to work in an emotion-filled environment and which may require conducting home visits in isolated or high crime areas and may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions
Reliable motor vehicle and acceptable driving record for the past five years
Current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load
Proof of driving record, insurance and license
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 in social, human, or protective services.
Pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
Comply with Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
Familiarity with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content.
Provide documentation to DFPS to show identity and authorization to work in the US.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Social Work, Human Services (Psychology, Sociology, Child & Family Studies, or Counseling), or Criminal Justice.
Prior work experience in human services, social work, mental health, legal, or criminal justice such as parole/probation or related fields.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience/education.

Responsibilities

Responds quickly in crisis situations involving children who may be in an abusive or neglectful situation.
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.
Interviews people in the case such as the parents, caregivers, person who reports the concern, family members, and others familiar with the family situation.
Assesses child safety and takes the necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate.
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/staffings.
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.
Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members
Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service
Options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave
Optional dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within our organization, providing the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
$416.66 monthly increase in addition to the base salary for investigative positions.