CPI Investigative Supervisor I/II

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Kingsville, TX

5d • $5,425 - $8,886 • Onsite

About The Position

The CPI Investigative Supervisor performs senior-level consultative, technical-assistance, and supervisory work for the Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Division. The position manages administrative staff and a unit of caseworkers responsible for investigations and Alternative Response (AR) cases. The Supervisor consults on cases and monitors case status using data warehouse reports to identify trends and patterns related to risk and child safety. The role includes selecting, hiring, managing, and developing staff through performance-data review, individual conferences, case readings, field visits, and unit meetings to support productivity and compliance with policy, procedures, and service-control requirements.

The Supervisor provides analysis, technical assistance, subject-matter expertise, guidance, and consultation to staff and stakeholders to improve services and outcomes for children and families. The role is accountable for critical decisions concerning child protection and involves consultation with program leadership, regional and state office management, caseworkers, and public and private stakeholders on complex, high-profile, and sensitive cases. It is a fast-paced position involving daily child-safety assessment and decision-making, regular on-call duties that may include weekends and holidays, and oversight under the Child Protective Services Handbook, Title III of the Texas Family Code, and applicable minimum standards. The position works under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment, and interacts with clients, judges, attorneys, child advocacy centers, medical and school personnel, and others involved in investigations.

Requirements

• For Supervisor I: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of full-time experience in Child Protective Services or child placement services in a public social services agency; or 60 accredited college credit hours and four years of CPI/CPS casework experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours and three and one-half years of CPI/CPS casework experience; or current employment as a Child Protective Services Supervisor I in Family and Protective Services.
• For Supervisor II: Completion of Phase I Child Protective Services Specialist Certification and Child Protective Services Supervisor Certification; or current employment as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II in Family and Protective Services; or current employment in an eligible Family and Protective Services CPS management position above Supervisor level with prior CPS Supervisor experience; or previous employment as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the Investigations/Alternative Response program.
• Specialized knowledge of the Investigations/Alternative Response program and child-welfare practice.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining productive internal and external working relationships.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and use various software packages.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.
• Ability to plan, direct, and assign responsibilities and supervise others’ work.
• Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and professions.
• Ability to represent Child Protective Investigations effectively with key stakeholders.
• Regular on-call duties, with frequency and timeframes determined by the regional area, including holidays and weekends.
• Selected applicants must pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.
• Staff must be familiar with WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 accessibility standards and create accessible electronic content.

Nice To Haves

• Degree in Social Work, Human Services (such as Psychology, Sociology, Child and Family Studies, or Counseling), or Criminal Justice.
• Two years of experience investigating child abuse or neglect, including experience with out-of-state investigative agencies.
• Favorable casework data or performance history as an investigator.
• Proven success in developing people through teaching, training, or serving as a CPI Mentor.
• Prior leadership experience in a performance-based field.

Responsibilities

• Oversee, direct, and staff daily case actions related to safety, risk, and permanency; ensure timely family contact, ongoing child-safety assessment, and accurate case documentation.
• Evaluate unit performance through case readings and review of timely safety assessments and reassessments, community-resource referrals, and case closures in accordance with department policy; consult program leadership about unresolved danger indicators or high-risk factors.
• Review abuse and neglect intakes routed to the unit, provide case consultation, assess and mitigate child-safety and risk issues, and work with staff to ensure timely family contact.
• Implement program guidelines, perform staff administrative functions, conduct unit meetings, ensure staff time and leave are entered in CAPPS, and oversee and manage staff overtime.
• Train staff and hold monthly meetings to communicate policies and procedures, discuss productivity and quality trends, address daily operations and CPI updates, and support team cohesiveness.
• Interview, select, hire, manage, and develop staff; conduct field visits, review performance data, hold monthly conferences, provide training, and complete performance appraisals.
• Evaluate unit compliance with policy, procedures, and service-control requirements through case readings, computer reports, and observation of unit operations.
• Provide guidance and direction on policy, procedures, best practices, and professional development to build staff capacity to support families and promote child safety, permanency, and well-being.
• Interpret program policy and procedures for agency staff, families, caregivers, volunteers, advocates, judges, educational and juvenile-justice stakeholders, and the public.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to coordinate and improve unit performance.
• Represent the program at meetings, conferences, workgroups, hearings, and other events.
• Perform other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Attend work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy.

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, plus options to save through 401(k) and 457 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 on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
• Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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