CPI Investigation Worker Trainee After Hours Response

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Houston, TX

10d•$3,817 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a CPI Investigation Worker Trainee for its Child Protective Investigations Afterhours Response team. Investigators respond to reports of alleged child abuse or neglect, gather and assess information, evaluate child safety and future risk, and work with families and community partners to address concerns and reduce the likelihood of future harm. This mobile, field-based role involves regular face-to-face contact with children and families in locations such as homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community settings. It is not a work-from-home position; employees may also be directed to work from an office. Afterhours Response investigators focus on Priority 1 calls during evening, night, and weekend shifts and do not carry a caseload. They aim to resolve as much of each case as possible during their shift, including taking steps to remove children from dangerous situations, before transferring cases to day staff. Cases may involve serious injuries, child fatalities, drug-endangered children, or sexual abuse, and may involve collaboration with law enforcement and participation in forensic interviews at children's advocacy centers. The position requires sound judgment, flexibility, and the ability to act under pressure while managing urgent safety concerns, interviews, coordination with professionals, court obligations, and extensive documentation. The work can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding and may involve crisis situations, unsafe or unsanitary environments, and difficult subject matter. Work schedules are driven by child and family safety needs; extended workdays, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, and a rotating on-call schedule are common. Significant travel is required, including possible long-distance and overnight trips, sometimes with little notice. The role is mobile and primarily uses mobile technology, such as a tablet, while away from the office. Newly hired employees in eligible positions are assigned a DFPS cellular phone. The position may be filled at a level from Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV. DFPS provides a certification program intended to develop employees' role-specific skills and support career advancement. A monthly investigative pay increase of $416.66 may be provided under the stated tenure and position conditions.

Requirements

Knowledge of child development.
Knowledge of family dynamics.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Problem-solving skills.
Ability to operate a personal computer.
Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and other work-related appointments or meetings after 5 p.m.
Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
Ability to work in an emotionally demanding environment and conduct home visits in isolated or high-crime areas, with possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
Use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to perform job functions.
Reliable motor vehicle and an 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 must be provided.
For Child Protective Investigations Specialist I: 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 experience may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services with social service agencies or communities serving families or other at-risk populations.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver's record check.

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 skills.
Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience or education.
For Specialist II: current or prior qualifying DFPS Specialist II employment, or employment as a Specialist I for nine months and completion of Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, in addition to the stated education and experience criteria.
For Specialist III: current or prior qualifying DFPS Specialist III employment, or employment as a Specialist II for nine months and completion of Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, in addition to the stated education and experience criteria.
For Specialist IV: current or prior qualifying DFPS Specialist IV employment, or employment as a Specialist III for 24 months and completion of Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, in addition to the stated education and experience criteria.

Responsibilities

Respond quickly to crisis situations involving children who may be in abusive or neglectful situations, including situations that may be dangerous.
Conduct forensic investigations of child abuse and neglect reports and assess current and future risk of harm.
Observe children for signs of harm and assess whether signs may result from abuse or neglect, including cases involving serious injuries or fatalities.
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 protective action, which may include removing a child from the family.
Discuss sensitive and personal matters objectively with families, including parenting, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
Determine actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying supportive family members, seeking emergency protective services through court, placing children in substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or community resources.
Document relevant information and complete required forms accurately and promptly.
Gather family and kinship information to support a child's placement if the child enters DFPS custody.
Participate in a rotating on-call schedule and respond to abuse and neglect situations after normal business hours, including overnight and weekends.
Develop and maintain working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and community partners.
Prioritize tasks and work flexible hours while meeting constant deadlines.
Balance objectivity and empathy when working with families in stressful or crisis situations.
Attend and participate in training, meetings, and staffings.
Perform other duties as assigned to maintain unit operations.
Promote respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and work-related contacts.
Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Work independently in a mobile unit while remaining responsive to supervision and the assigned unit.
Travel frequently to homes, offices, and other work-related appointments, including locations outside the assigned region and occasional overnight travel.

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for the employee and 50% paid coverage 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 at rates described as lower than most private plans.
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.
Eligible investigative-position employees may receive a $416.66 monthly pay increase subject to the stated tenure and position conditions.