CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Cuero, TX

3d•$3,817 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to strengthen families and communities and keep children and vulnerable adults safe through investigations, services, and referrals. Child Protective Investigations (CPI), Family Investigations and Alternative Response (FIAR) investigators respond to allegations of child abuse or neglect, gather and assess information, evaluate child safety and future risk, and work with families to address concerns and reduce the likelihood of future harm. This position may be filled at a level from Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV, with starting salary potentially determined by education and experience. This is a mobile, field-based position, not a traditional office or work-from-home job. Most work takes place in homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community settings, with office attendance when directed. The role involves frequent in-person contact with children, families, caregivers, and community partners, extensive documentation, multiple active cases, urgent safety matters, court obligations, and rapidly changing priorities. Investigators need to exercise sound judgment under pressure and remain professional, objective, and compassionate in difficult, emotionally charged situations. Work may involve crisis, substance abuse, family violence, mental health challenges, unsafe or unsanitary environments, serious injuries, and child fatalities. Schedules are driven by child and family safety needs rather than a standard 8-to-5 workday. Extended days, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call duty are common. Investigators may need to remain on duty until a child's safety is assured and travel long distances, sometimes unexpectedly and with little notice. The job requires frequent travel, reliable personal transportation, flexibility, and the ability to work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit. Travel may include overnight stays, particularly for initial training outside the assigned area or as cases require. DFPS offers a certification program intended to support employee development, skill-building, and career advancement. Eligible investigative hires receive an additional monthly investigative pay increase after the stated tenure period, subject to the conditions described in the posting. Newly hired employees in eligible positions are assigned a DFPS cellular phone. The posting lists a monthly salary range of $3,816.65 to $5,372.41. The position is full-time, regular, nonexempt, day shift, not eligible for telework, and located in Cuero, Texas. Travel is listed as up to 75%, and the later description estimates employees may be on the road about 60% of the time.

Requirements

Meet the education and experience criteria for the applicable specialist level: 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 serving families or other at-risk populations.
For Specialist II, additionally meet the specified DFPS experience and certification or prior-employment pathway: nine months as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist I with Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a qualifying Specialist II in DFPS.
For Specialist III, additionally meet the specified DFPS experience and certification or prior-employment pathway: nine months as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II with Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a qualifying Specialist III in DFPS.
For Specialist IV, additionally meet the specified DFPS experience and certification or prior-employment pathway: 24 months as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III with Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or previous employment as a qualifying Specialist IV in DFPS.
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 participate in rotating on-call duty and work irregular hours.
Ability to work in emotionally charged environments, including isolated or high-crime areas and settings with substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
Use a personal motor vehicle to perform job functions and have reliable transportation.
Have an acceptable driving record for the previous five years and a current, valid Texas driver's license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load; provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
Pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver's record check.
Be able to meet the described physical requirements, including frequent standing, hearing, and talking; occasional climbing; and occasional exertion of up to 20 pounds and frequent exertion of up to 10 pounds.
Meet the visual requirements described in the posting, 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 work, criminal justice, parole or probation, or related fields.
Bilingual English/Spanish skills.
Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience or education.

Responsibilities

Respond quickly to crisis situations involving children who may be experiencing abuse or neglect, including situations that may be dangerous.
Conduct forensic investigations of alleged child abuse or neglect and assess current and future risk of harm.
Observe children for signs of harm and assess whether 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 action to protect children, which may include removing a child from the family.
Discuss sensitive and private matters objectively with families, including parenting, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
Determine and take action to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying family members who can help, seeking emergency protective services in court, arranging substitute care, or referring families for crisis intervention or community resources.
Document relevant information gathered during investigations 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 community partners.
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.
Travel to homes, offices, child and family visits, appointments, and meetings, including locations outside the assigned region and occasional overnight travel.
Use mobile technology to conduct work away from the office while working independently and remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit.

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 plans.
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.
Additional monthly investigative pay increase for eligible investigative hires, subject to the tenure and other conditions stated in the posting.
DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.