CPI Investigation Worker Trainee

Texas Health & Human Services Commission•KERRVILLE, TX

11d•$3,817 - $5,372•Onsite

About The Position

The CPI Investigation Worker Trainee (job title: CPI Investigator I) conducts child protective investigations to determine whether abuse or neglect has occurred, assess current and future risks, and take appropriate steps to protect children and strengthen families. The role involves responding to urgent safety concerns, gathering and assessing information, working with families to address concerns, and making 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 in homes, schools, hospitals, childcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, courts, and other community locations, with occasional direction to work from an office. The work requires frequent face-to-face contact with children, families, caregivers, and community partners. Investigators manage active cases, urgent concerns, court obligations, documentation, and competing demands in a fast-paced and unpredictable environment. The work can be physically, mentally, and emotionally demanding and may involve crisis situations, unsafe or unsanitary environments, and emotionally charged family circumstances. Schedules depend on child and family safety needs rather than a standard 8-to-5 workday. Extended days, after-hours responses, weekends, holidays, rotating on-call duty, and significant travel—including occasional long-distance and overnight travel—are part of the role. The position requires flexibility, sound judgment, objectivity, compassion, and thorough and timely documentation. The position is regular, full-time, nonexempt, and not eligible for telework. The posting lists a monthly salary range of $3,816.65 to $5,372.41 and notes an additional $416.66 monthly increase for investigative positions, subject to the stated eligibility and timing rules. The role may be filled at levels from Child Protective Investigations Specialist I through IV, with education and experience potentially affecting starting salary. DFPS offers a certification program for professional development and career advancement.

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, appointments, and meetings, including after 5 p.m.
Ability to participate in rotating on-call duty and work irregular hours.
Ability to work in emotionally charged environments, including conducting home visits in isolated or high-crime areas and potentially encountering substandard or unsanitary living conditions.
Use of the applicant’s personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.
Reliable motor vehicle, 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.
For Child Protective Investigations Specialist I screening: 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 includes 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.
Ability to travel frequently; the posting estimates being on the road about 60% of the time and notes occasional travel outside assigned counties and overnight travel.

Nice To Haves

Degree in Social Work, Human Services (including Psychology, Sociology, Child & 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 skills.
Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience or education.

Responsibilities

Respond promptly to crisis situations involving children who may be experiencing abuse or neglect, including potentially dangerous situations.
Conduct forensic investigations of alleged child abuse or neglect 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 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 matters objectively with families, including parenting, sexual abuse, finances, money management, and personal relationships.
Identify and take steps to remove or reduce immediate threats to child safety, including working with family members, 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 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 and neglect situations after business hours, including overnight and weekends.
Develop and maintain working relationships with law enforcement, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and the community.
Prioritize work and meet ongoing deadlines while working flexible hours.
Balance 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 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 401(k) and 457 savings 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 expenses.
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.
Eligible newly hired employees are assigned a DFPS cellular phone.
Additional monthly investigative-position increase of $416.66, subject to the stated eligibility and timing conditions.