CPI Investigation Worker Trainee After Hours Response

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•Dallas, TX

5d•$3,817 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) seeks a Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Investigation Worker Trainee for its Dallas County After Hours Response team. The role responds to Priority 1 reports of alleged child abuse or neglect during evening, overnight, and weekend shifts. Investigators gather and assess information, evaluate child safety and future risk, and take appropriate steps to protect children and support families. The position may be filled at the Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV level, with starting salary determined in part by education and experience. This is a mobile, field-based position, not a traditional office or work-from-home job. Investigators regularly meet face-to-face with children, families, caregivers, and community partners in homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community locations. Work may also be performed from an office when directed. The position involves extensive documentation, multiple and changing demands, urgent safety decisions, and collaboration with professionals and community resources. Investigators must remain objective, compassionate, and professional while working with families in crisis and may encounter unsafe, isolated, unsanitary, or otherwise challenging environments. The After Hours Response team focuses exclusively on Priority 1 calls and has no ongoing caseload. Investigators aim to resolve as much of each case as possible during their shift—including removing children from dangerous situations—before transferring the case to day staff. Cases can involve serious injuries, fatalities, drug-endangered children, and sexual abuse. Investigators commonly work with law enforcement and may participate in forensic interviews at children's advocacy centers. The role offers substantial on-the-job exposure to critical cases. The scheduled shift is Thursday through Monday, 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; hours may change based on program needs. Work may extend beyond scheduled hours, and weekend, holiday, and after-hours work are common. A rotating on-call schedule is required. Significant travel is required, including local and occasional out-of-region or long-distance travel, sometimes with little notice; overnight travel may occur, particularly for initial training or as cases demand. The posting estimates being on the road about 60% of the time and lists travel up to 75%. DFPS offers a certification program intended to support employee development and career advancement. Investigative hires are eligible for an additional $416.66 monthly increase beginning the first of the month after 120 days of tenure, subject to the conditions described in the posting. Newly hired employees in eligible positions are assigned a DFPS cellular phone, and this position uses mobile technology such as a tablet. Applicants must have a reliable personal motor vehicle, an acceptable driving record for the prior 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 background checks and, when applicable, a driver-record check.

Requirements

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 be paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services, including services to families or other at-risk populations.
For Specialist II, III, or IV consideration, the posting specifies the applicable prior DFPS specialist employment and certification pathways in addition to the stated education and experience criteria.
Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships and use problem-solving techniques.
Ability to operate a personal computer.
Ability to travel and attend child and family visits, appointments, and meetings after 5 p.m.
Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
Ability to work in emotionally charged environments and conduct home visits in isolated or high-crime areas, with possible exposure to 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.
Must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver-record check.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Social Work, Human Services (including Psychology, Sociology, Child and 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 situations that may be dangerous.
Conduct forensic investigations of child abuse and neglect reports 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 personal matters objectively with families, including parenting, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personal relationships.
Identify and take actions to remove or reduce immediate threats, including identifying family members who can help keep a child safe, seeking emergency protective services in court, arranging substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or community resources.
Document relevant investigation 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 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 deadlines while working flexible hours and managing competing demands.
Balance 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 respect for cultural diversity and competency among coworkers and work-related contacts.
Attend work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Work Priority 1 after-hours cases toward resolution during the shift before transferring cases to day staff.
Travel to child and family visits, appointments, meetings, and other work-related locations.

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, with 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 expenses.
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 investigative hires receive an additional $416.66 monthly increase after the stated tenure period, subject to the posting's conditions.
DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.