RCI Investigator - Rosenberg, TX

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Rosenberg, TX

8d • $3,817 - $5,372 • Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Child Care Investigator (RCI) works within Child Care Investigations to help protect children from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Investigators gather information and investigate reports in licensed and unlicensed foster homes, Child Placing Agencies, Residential Treatment Centers, and Group Homes, and help ensure corrective action is taken when necessary. In some cases, the investigator may serve as a conservator for a child to safeguard the child’s well-being.

The role may be filled at any level from Residential Child Care Investigator I through IV, with starting salary influenced by education and experience. The position is mobile, and most work is conducted away from the office using mobile technology such as a tablet. Investigators work independently while remaining responsive to supervision and their assigned unit. The work involves frequent travel to homes and offices, including outside the assigned region, and some overnight travel. The role can be demanding and stressful, and requires flexibility to respond to client needs.

DFPS offers a certification program intended to support professional development, skill enhancement, career advancement, and additional compensation. Newly hired employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

Requirements

• For the initial level, meet one of these education and experience alternatives: an accredited bachelor’s degree; an accredited associate’s degree plus two years of relevant work experience; 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 include paid or volunteer work in social work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or protective services, including services to families or other at-risk populations.
• For Specialist II, additionally have nine months of employment as an RCI Specialist I and RCI Investigator II Certification, or be currently employed as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist II, or have previously been employed as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Investigator Specialist II.
• For Specialist III, additionally have nine months of employment as an RCI Specialist II and RCI Investigator III Certification, or be currently or previously employed as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist III.
• For Specialist IV, additionally have 24 months of employment as an RCI Specialist III and RCI Investigator IV Certification, or be currently or previously employed as a Texas DFPS Child Protective Services Specialist IV.
• Maintain the security and integrity of infrastructure in accordance with Governor Abbott Executive Order GA-48.
• Have a reliable personal motor vehicle, 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; provide proof of driving record and license.
• Pass a background check and, if applicable, a driver’s record check.
• Be willing and able to travel frequently, including outside the assigned region and occasionally overnight, sometimes with little notice.
• Meet position physical requirements, with reasonable accommodations possible.

Nice To Haves

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred.

Responsibilities

• Obtain information, investigate reports of alleged abuse or neglect and emergency situations, and take corrective action.
• Assess children’s needs and service priorities and develop service plans.
• Advise, counsel, and interview children, parents, caregivers, family members, and others to gather information for evaluation.
• Visit children to assess safety, permanency plans, needs, wishes, and progress while in care.
• Remove children from dangerous situations and arrange emergency shelter until foster homes are found.
• Arrange educational, medical, and psychiatric examinations or treatments.
• Study, recruit, and recommend foster families for children who have been abused or neglected.
• Monitor foster homes and children to ensure children’s needs are met.
• Conduct home studies of prospective adoptive families and coordinate visits between children and prospective parents.
• Prepare adoption readiness studies and conduct adoption social studies.
• Prepare documentation and seek court orders for emergency protective services actions.
• Prepare and maintain case documentation.
• Supervise adoptive placements until adoption is final or the case is transferred to an adoption caseworker.
• Advise and counsel parents and children during stressful situations.
• Testify in court.
• Participate in community awareness activities.
• Investigate alleged illegal child care and standards violations in licensed and registered child care facilities and document findings.
• Conduct risk assessments of protective services cases and determine and implement case actions.
• Prepare statistical and special reports for management.
• At higher levels, review referrals and assign cases; instruct staff on work methods, organizational procedures, and case documentation; develop community resources and specialized service plans; monitor and review adoption or foster home studies; and approve children’s movement into or out of placement.
• Perform related work as assigned.

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.
• DFPS Certification Program offering professional development and the opportunity to earn additional compensation.
• DFPS cellular phone for newly hired employees in eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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