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About the Role

Child Protective Investigations (CPI), Family Investigations and Alternative Response (FIAR) Investigators play a critical role in protecting children and strengthening families. 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. They are responsible for making informed decisions that can significantly impact the lives of children and families.

Responsibilities

Determines the causes/factors of abuse/neglect to children to assess current or future risk to children by gathering information from parents, family members, and others; interviewing and examining children; assessing home environment; and gathering pertinent information from other sources.
Collaborates and works with the family to determine strengths, needs and action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include referring family for crisis intervention therapy or other community resources, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, and placing children in substitute care.
Enters contact, documentation information and narratives into the Information Management Protecting Adults and Children System within required agency time frames.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships between families, Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources, to achieve a positive outcome.
Attends and participates in training/meetings/staffings.
Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among families, coworkers and all work-related contacts.
Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Requirements

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, insurance, and license.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code.
Applicants selected for hire comply with this code by completing related training and abiding by agency cybersecurity and communications system usage policies.
As a state agency, DFPS is required by Texas Administrative Code (TAC 206 and 213) to ensure all Electronic Information Resources (EIR) follow accessibility standards.
The staff must be familiar with the WCAG 2.1 AA and Section 508 to create accessible content including but not limited to; Microsoft Office documents, Adobe PDFs, webpages, software, training guides, video, and audio files.
DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.
Employees must provide documentation to(($

Skills

Knowledge of child development.
Knowledge of family dynamics.
Knowledge of community resources.
Knowledge of extensive engagement strategies.
Knowledge of Child Protective Services policy and procedures.
Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
Ability to operate a personal computer.
Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
Ability to work with other professionals in the community.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred.
Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience/education.

Location

AUSTIN

Work Type

Full time
Mobile, field-based position
Not Eligible for Telework

Experience Level

Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist I: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience.
Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist II: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II or Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II or Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Child Investigations Alternative Response Specialist III: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III or Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III or Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Child Investigations Alternative Response Specialist IV: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experience OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work experience. Employed as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV or Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV or Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Prior work experience in human services, social work, mental health, legal, or criminal justice such as parole/probation or related fields.

Education Level

An accredited Bachelor's degree
An accredited Associate's degree
60 accredited college credit hours
90 accredited college credit hours
Degree in Social Work, Human Services (Psychology, Sociology, Child & Family Studies, or Counseling), or Criminal Justice.

Salary/Compensations

$3,816.65 - $5,372.41 Monthly
$416.66 monthly increase in addition to the base salary

Benefits

100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members
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
Optional dental, vision, and life insurance
Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness
DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within our organization.

About the Company

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.
When you join the State of Texas, your monthly paycheck is just one part of your real income.
Our benefits provide extra value that many private employers simply don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Equal Opportunity

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS/DFPS agencies will provide reasonable accommodation during the hiring and selection process for qualified individuals with a disability.
If you need assistance completing the on-line application, contact the HHS/DFPS Employee Service Center at 1-888-894-4747.
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.