CPI INV Spec I

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•WEATHERFORD, TX

7d•$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. Investigators work wherever children and families live, learn, and receive services, including homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community locations. The position involves regular face-to-face contact, independent work using mobile technology, and possible office work as directed by a supervisor. The work requires flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to handle rapidly changing circumstances, urgent safety concerns, multiple active cases, court obligations, extensive documentation, and competing demands. Investigators must assess substantial amounts of information, make decisions under pressure, and maintain thorough and timely records. The work can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding and may involve crisis situations, difficult family circumstances, and potentially unsafe or unsanitary environments. Investigators are expected to remain professional, objective, and compassionate. Schedules are driven by the safety needs of children and families. Extended workdays, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, and rotating on-call duty are common. Significant travel is required, including occasional unexpected long-distance and overnight travel. The posting estimates that employees may be on the road about 60% of the time. DFPS offers a certification program intended to support employees’ professional development and career advancement. The position may be filled at any level from Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV, with education and experience among the factors considered in determining starting salary. Hires into an investigative position may receive an additional monthly investigative pay increase after the applicable tenure period.

Requirements

For the Specialist I selection criteria: an accredited bachelor’s degree; or an accredited associate 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 includes paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
Knowledge of child development and family dynamics.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Problem-solving skills.
Ability to operate a personal computer.
Ability to travel and attend child and family visits and other work appointments and meetings after 5 p.m.
Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours.
Ability to work in an emotionally intense environment, including home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and possible exposure to substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
Reliable personal motor vehicle and acceptable driving record for the past five years.
Current, valid Texas driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle and passenger or cargo load; applicants must provide proof of driving record, insurance, and license.
Ability and willingness to travel frequently, including outside the assigned region, at times with little notice, and to make some overnight trips.
Selected applicants 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.
For Specialist II placement: employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist I for nine months and received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior qualifying Specialist II employment with Texas DFPS.
For Specialist III placement: employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II for nine months and received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior qualifying Specialist III employment with Texas DFPS.
For Specialist IV placement: employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III for 24 months and received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification, or current or prior qualifying Specialist IV employment with Texas DFPS.

Responsibilities

Respond quickly to crisis situations involving children who may be experiencing abuse or neglect, 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 those signs may result from abuse or neglect, including in cases involving serious injuries or child fatalities.
Interview parents, caregivers, reporters, family members, and others familiar with the family, including medical staff, teachers, and law enforcement.
Assess child safety and take appropriate actions to protect children, which may include removing a child from the family.
Discuss sensitive and personal matters with families objectively, including parenting, sexual abuse, finances, and personal relationships.
Determine actions to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including identifying family members who can help, seeking emergency protective services through court, arranging substitute care, and referring families to crisis intervention or community resources.
Document relevant investigation 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 after normal business hours, including overnight and weekends.
Develop and maintain effective working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and community members.
Prioritize tasks and work flexibly while meeting constant deadlines.
Maintain a balance of 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.
Travel to child and family visits and other work-related appointments and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
Use a personal motor vehicle to complete job functions and provide proof of a reliable vehicle, acceptable driving record, current valid Texas driver’s license, and insurance.

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 options to contribute to 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 on gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment.
Possible eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
An additional $416.66 monthly investigative pay increase for eligible investigative hires, beginning the first of the month after 120 days of tenure, subject to the conditions described in the posting.
DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.