CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Sherman, TX

5d•$3,817 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a CPI Investigation Worker Trainee to investigate reports of suspected child abuse or neglect, assess child safety and risk, and work with families and community partners to address concerns and prevent future harm. The position may be filled at any level from Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV, with education and experience potentially affecting starting salary. The role includes a monthly investigative stipend of $416.66, subject to the eligibility and timing conditions described in the posting. This is a mobile, field-based position rather than a traditional office or work-from-home job. Investigators regularly work in homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, courts, law enforcement agencies, and other community locations, and may also be directed to work from an office. The position requires substantial travel, including travel outside the assigned region, occasional overnight trips, and the use of the employee’s personal motor vehicle. The posting estimates travel at up to 75%, and separately states that employees can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time. The work is fast-paced, unpredictable, and often physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Investigators manage multiple cases and deadlines, respond to urgent safety concerns, make decisions under pressure, and complete extensive documentation. Work schedules depend on children’s and families’ safety needs and may include extended workdays, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, and a rotating on-call assignment, including overnight response. Investigators may encounter crisis situations, family violence, substance abuse, mental health challenges, serious injuries or child fatalities, isolated or high-crime areas, and substandard or unsanitary conditions. The role calls for professionalism, objectivity, empathy, flexibility, and sound judgment. DFPS offers a certification program intended to develop employee skills and support career advancement. Newly hired employees in eligible positions are assigned a DFPS cellular phone. The posting describes state employee benefits including health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, optional dental, vision and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, employee discounts, and possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

Requirements

For Child Protective Investigations Specialist I screening: an accredited bachelor’s degree; or an accredited associate’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience; or 60 accredited college credit hours plus two years of relevant work experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one year of relevant work experience.
Relevant work experience may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, such as work with social service agencies or communities serving families or other at-risk populations.
For Specialist II, III, or IV levels, the posting lists the same education and experience pathways as Specialist I, as well as the applicable prior DFPS specialist-level employment and certification conditions specified for each level.
Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships and in problem-solving techniques.
Ability to operate a personal computer.
Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and other work-related appointments and meetings after 5 p.m.
Ability to work irregular hours and participate in a rotating on-call schedule.
Ability to work in emotionally charged environments and conduct visits in isolated or high-crime areas, potentially involving substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
Must use a personal motor vehicle to perform job functions and have reliable transportation.
Must have an 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; proof of driving record, insurance, and license is required.
Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.
Ability to meet the described physical requirements, including frequently standing, hearing, and talking; occasionally climbing; and exerting up to 20 pounds occasionally or up to 10 pounds frequently.
Ability to meet the listed visual requirements, including near and distance vision, focusing, color distinction, peripheral vision, and depth perception.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

Respond quickly to crisis situations involving children who may be abused or neglected, including potentially dangerous situations.
Conduct forensic investigations of abuse and neglect reports and assess current or future risk of harm to children.
Observe children for signs of harm and assess whether those signs may result from abuse or neglect.
Interview parents, caregivers, reporters, family members, and other people familiar with the family, including medical staff, teachers, and law enforcement.
Assess child safety and take appropriate actions to protect children, which may include removing a child from the family.
Discuss sensitive and personal subjects objectively with families, including parenting, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
Determine and take actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying family supports, seeking emergency protective services in court, arranging substitute care, and referring families to crisis therapy or community resources.
Document relevant investigation information and complete required forms accurately and on time.
Gather family and kinship information to support a child’s placement if the child enters DFPS custody.
Participate in a regular on-call rotation and respond to abuse or neglect situations after normal business hours, including overnight and weekends.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and the community.
Prioritize tasks and meet constant deadlines while working flexible hours.
Maintain objectivity and empathy when working with families experiencing stress or crisis.
Attend and participate in training, meetings, and staffings.
Perform other duties as assigned to maintain unit operations.
Promote and demonstrate respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and work-related contacts.
Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid for eligible family members.
Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus 401(k) and 457 savings plan options.
Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
Optional dental, vision, and life insurance.
Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care.
Employee discounts, including gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
Eligible newly hired employees receive a DFPS cellular phone.
A $416.66 monthly investigative pay increase, subject to the stated eligibility and waiting-period conditions.