CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Centerville, TX

6d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) Child Protective Investigations (CPI), Family Investigations and Alternative Response (FIAR) investigators respond to reports of alleged 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. Investigators make informed decisions that can significantly affect children and families.

This is a mobile, field-based position—not a traditional office or work-from-home job. Work takes place in homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community locations, with regular face-to-face contact with children, families, caregivers, and community partners. Employees may also be directed to work from an office. The position involves managing multiple cases, urgent safety concerns, court obligations, and extensive documentation while adapting to changing circumstances and making decisions under pressure.

The work can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding. Investigators may encounter families in crisis, including situations involving substance abuse, family violence, mental health challenges, unsafe homes, or serious injuries and fatalities. Schedules are determined by the safety needs of children and families; extended days, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, and a rotating on-call schedule are common. Significant travel is required, including occasional long-distance and overnight travel with little advance notice. The job requires professionalism, objectivity, compassion, flexibility, and sound judgment.

The position may be filled at the Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV levels, with starting salary determined in part by education and experience. The posting lists a monthly salary range of $3,816.65–$5,372.41 and an additional $416.66 monthly investigative stipend, payable under the stated eligibility and tenure conditions. The role is in a mobile unit, with most work conducted away from the office using mobile technology such as a tablet. Newly hired DFPS employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

Requirements

• Knowledge of child development.
• Knowledge of family dynamics.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• 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 and other work-related appointments and meetings after 5 p.m.
• Ability to participate in a rotating on-call schedule and work irregular hours.
• Ability to work in emotionally charged environments, including isolated or high-crime areas and locations with substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
• A reliable personal motor vehicle is required for completing job functions.
• Acceptable driving record for the past five years, a current valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load, and proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
• 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 work experience may include paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services 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 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 reported child abuse or neglect and assess current or future risk of harm.
• Observe children for signs of harm and assess whether signs may result from abuse or neglect, including in 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 with families objectively, including parenting, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
• Identify and take steps to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying supportive family members, seeking emergency protective services in court, arranging substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or community resources.
• Document relevant 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 rotating on-call schedule and respond to abuse or neglect situations outside normal business hours, including overnight and weekends.
• Maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and the community.
• Prioritize tasks and work flexible hours to meet constant deadlines.
• Balance objectivity and empathy when working with families in stressful and crisis situations.
• 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 coverage for eligible family members.
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus optional 401(k) and 457 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 membership, electronics, and entertainment discounts.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level