CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • TX

84d • $3,816 - $5,372

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Investigators investigate claims of child abuse and neglect. They have the difficult task of figuring out what happened and predicting what will happen in the future. CPI receives and investigates reports of abuse and neglect 24 hours per day, every day of the year.

Requirements

• An accredited Bachelor's degree OR an 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.
• 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 conduct home visits in isolated or high crime areas.

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.
• 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.
• Conducts forensic investigations of reports of abuse/neglect to children to determine if abuse or neglect occurred.
• Observes children for signs of any harm and assesses the signs to determine if they are the result of abuse or neglect.
• Interviews people in the case such as the parents, caregivers, and others familiar with the family situation.
• Assesses child safety and takes necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate.
• Talks frankly and objectively with families about personal matters.
• Determines action to be taken to remove or reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child.
• Documents all relevant and appropriate information gathered during the investigation.
• Gathers family and kinship information to support the child in a placement.
• Participates in a regular on-call rotation that requires response to situations of abuse/neglect after normal business hours.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with law enforcement officials, judicial officials, 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 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.

Benefits

• Excellent health benefits.
• Special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program.
• Longevity pay.
• Generous paid leave.
• Access to the Wellness program.
• Lifetime retirement annuity.
• Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree