RCI Investigator I

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS • Bryan, TX

4d

About The Position

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works to build on strengths of families and communities to keep children and vulnerable adults safe, so they thrive. We do this through investigations, services, and referrals. This position serves as a Residential Child Care Investigator and performs entry-level child protective services work within Child Care Investigations. Work involves obtaining information, investigating reports of alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children in licensed and unlicensed foster homes, Child Placing Agencies, Residential Treatment Centers, and Group Homes. Participating in taking corrective action, working under close supervision, with minimal latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Requirements

• Candidates must be current or former Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Worker IVs to be eligible for the Residential Child Care Investigator I position.
• An accredited bachelor's degree; an accredited associate degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience; 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years of relevant work experience; or 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience.
• Relevant work experience includes paid or volunteer work in social, human, or protective services within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
• Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to child care, abuse, and neglect; child development principles and theories and of family dynamics; community social services resources; the laws and regulations related to child protective services; and crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Knowledge of the Family Code and other laws and regulations relating to children and their care such as the Texas Child Care Licensing Act.
• Knowledge of intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbance, physical handicaps, development disabilities, and treatment measures as applied to children.
• Skill in assessing immediacy of harmful situations, which might result in injury or death to a child and ability to take appropriate action.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to manage hostility and resistance to regulation in a professional, non-defensive manner.
• Ability to travel.
• Skill in interviewing.
• Ability to obtain information and conduct investigations, to evaluate living conditions, to prepare reports, to testify in court, and to communicate effectively.
• This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.
• Applicants for positions must have a reliable motor vehicle, and 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. Applicants must provide proof of driving record and license.

Responsibilities

• Obtains information and investigates reports of alleged abuse or neglect and emergency situations, and coordinates with other divisions and/or outside agencies to take corrective actions.
• Assesses child’s needs for degree and priority of services and develops service plans.
• Advises, counsels, and interviews children, parents, caregivers, family members, and others to gather social, functional, and physical and mental health information for evaluation.
• Visits child to assess the child’s safety, to plan for recommendations of placement changes as needed, implement safety plans and relay concerns to Conservatorship regarding the wellbeing of the child.
• Removes children in dangerous situations from homes and admits children to emergency shelters until foster homes are found.
• Arranges for educational, medical, and psychiatric examinations or treatments.
• Studies, recruits, and recommends foster families to provide care for abused or neglected children.
• Monitors foster homes and children to ensure that the children’s needs are met.
• Prepares documentation and seeks court orders for emergency protective services actions.
• Prepares and maintains case documentation.
• May investigate reports alleging illegal child-care and/or standards violations in licensed and registered child care facilities.
• May prepare routine reports
• May participate in community awareness activities.
• May testify in court.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Benefits

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
• Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave so you can recharge and take care of life outside work (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
• Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
• Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees