CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Nacogdoches, TX

1d • Hybrid

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. This is achieved through investigations, services, and referrals. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Investigators are responsible for investigating claims of child abuse and neglect, a challenging task that involves determining past events and predicting future risks. CPI operates 24 hours per day, every day of the year, to receive and investigate reports of abuse and neglect. An investigation includes interviewing and gathering information to ascertain if abuse or neglect occurred and if intervention is necessary. Investigators assess both risk and safety issues and may recommend services for the child and family to mitigate the risk of further harm. DFPS is dedicated to its employees' professional development and ongoing success, offering the DFPS Certification Program. This program is specifically designed for DFPS employees to enhance skills and advance careers within the organization, providing opportunities for additional compensation through a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and innovation, and equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to deepen their expertise in their respective roles.

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
• Requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.
• 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.
• Provide 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.
• Relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.

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. 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/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—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.
• DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within our organization, providing opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• $416.66 monthly increase in addition to the base salary for investigative positions after 120 days of tenure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees