Job Description

Date: Mar 3, 2025

Location: LUBBOCK, TX

WHY WORK FOR DFPS?

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is responsible for protecting the unprotected — children, elderly, and people with disabilities — from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. DFPS accomplishes this responsibility by employing over 12,000 workers who live up to the agency's Mission, Vision, & Values in service to the citizens of Texas. DFPS is not only a qualifying organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program but also offers excellent health benefits, special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program, longevity pay, generous paid leave, access to the Wellness program, lifetime retirement annuity, Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas.

Functional Title: CPI Investigator Specialist

Job Title: CPI Investigator Specialist

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: CPS Investigations Region 1

Posting Number: 3691

Closing Date: 03/17/2025

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Protective Services

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-20

Salary Range: $4,263.16$6,779.25

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 75%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: LUBBOCK

Job Location Address: [[custOfficeAdd]]

Other Locations:

MOS Codes:

31B, 31D, EOD, 401, 5819, 71S, P12A, P02A, 023, 42P, 001497, 401, 333021, 7S0

Performs highly complex (senior-level) investigative work within CPI. Work involves coordinating and conducting investigations. May supervise the work of others. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other
• duties as assigned.
• Coordinates and/or conducts investigations of alleged violations of laws, rules, and regulations.
• Coordinates and/or conducts consultative services, analysis, and technical assistance to design, implement, and monitor solutions and improvements resulting from assessment of CPI investigation cases within the region pertaining to all child safety issues to ensure the best outcome for the families we serve.
• Provides subject matter expertise, guidance and consultation to unit staff, internal and external stakeholders to shape effective service delivery
• Advises management regarding caseworker development and risk and safety issues to address trends and patterns noted via case analysis.
• Coordinates and/or conducts background and personal history investigations, reviews records, and verifies information.
• Coordinates and provides consultation, analysis and technical assistance to regional caseworkers, supervisors and other field staff to design, implement and monitor solutions and improvements resulting from assessments of CPI cases related to risk and child safety issues.
• Develops and prepares presentations, trainings, reports, communications, correspondence and responses to requests for information, ensuring quality, consistency, technical and program accuracy and timeliness.
• May be responsible for a reduced caseload of highly-sensitive cases or those with special circumstances
• Coordinates and/or conducts interviews of witnesses and complainants.
• Coordinates with the area Program Director, regional management, regional caseworkers, and external public and private stakeholders to provide details of complex, high profile and sensitive CPI cases and prioritizes time sensitive reports.
• Conducts in-depth interviews to accurately obtain information to determine immediate or long-term risk of abuse or neglect; models advanced interviewing techniques for other workers.
• Prepares and provides sufficient case documentation (including forms and narratives) to provide a complete and accurate record on cases, including legal documentation or testifying in court for all necessary court cases.
• Analyzes high-risk, complex, sensitive and high-profile CPI cases to assess child safety issues.
• Coordinates and/or evaluates and summarizes investigative findings.
• Collaborates intensely with staff in need of additional training and development to achieve and enhance quality performance
• Provides guidance to new staff or caseworkers in need of additional development in making appropriate case decisions and follow up; will provide input and guidance on case decisions ensuring best practice principals are followed. Assists with development of staff through training, field visits, review of data warehouse reports and review of IMPACT documentation.
• Serves as mentors and provides guidance for newly hired staff in the areas of policy, practice, and critical decision making.
• Coordinates and/or examines and investigates the business activities of entities to ensure compliance with statutory standards and regulations.
• Develops and maintains effective and efficient investigative work.
• Develops working relationships between Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources to ensure compliance with program federal/state requirements.
• Coordinates the collection and review of evidence and data obtained through field investigations, audits, inspections, or studies.
• Interprets program policy and procedures to staff, other agency staff, parents, children, youth, caregivers, the courts, CASA, other stakeholders, and the general public.
• Conducts in-depth analyses to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of CPI investigations program strategies, policies, procedures and initiatives, and makes recommendations for improvement. .
• Testifies and presents evidence at formal hearings or court proceedings.
• Evaluates unit performance through case readings, computer reports, and observation of unit operations to ensure unit compliance with policy, procedure, and service control requirements.
• Provides case consultations and monitors the status of cases within the unit by utilizing data warehouse reports to identify trends and patterns related to risk and child safety issues.
• Oversees the compilation and analysis of data and information from various sources and stakeholders to shape program goals, objectives and priorities
• Develops and prepares presentations, reports, correspondence and responses to requests for information, ensuring quality, consistency, technical and program accuracy and timeliness
• Reviews and/or develops investigative techniques and/or policies and procedures for conducting investigations; and recommends improvements, changes, or modifications.
• Provides consultative services, analysis, and technical assistance to design, implement, and monitor solutions and improvements resulting from assessment of CPI cases within the region pertaining to all child safety issues to ensure the best outcome for the families we serve.
• Reviews and researches the legal aspects of investigations and recommends action as appropriate. Assists in providing information for subpoena drafting and serving, and to allow arrests to be made.
• Determines action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to including testifying in court to seek emergency protective services
• Assists in providing information for subpoena drafting and serving, and to allow arrests to be made.
• May perform undercover or surveillance work regarding suspected violators.
• May supervise the work of others.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the Child Protective Investigations program.
• Skill in program planning, development and implementation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.
• Skill at effectively conveying professionalism and competence in working relationships both internally and externally.
• Skill in presentation preparation.
• Ability to approach problems critically and analytically
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.
• Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities for the work of others.
• Ability to present information and represent Child Protective Investigations leadership positions at training sessions, conferences, or legislative hearings.
• Ability to gather, assemble, correlate, and analyze facts; to devise solutions to problems; to prepare clear and concise reports; to develop, evaluate, and interpret policies and procedures; and to communicate effectively.
• Ability to develop ideas and the strategies necessary for communicating the agency message.
• Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and professions.
• Ability to represent Child Protective Investigations effectively with key stakeholders.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Experience as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III: Employed as a Child Protective Specialist for 18 months AND have received Child Protective Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services or Experience as a Child Protective Services Special Investigator.

Additional Information:

N/A

Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.

Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. All active-duty military, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply if qualified to fill this position. For more information please see the Texas State Auditor’s Job Descriptions, Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditor's Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at dfpsmilvets@dfps.texas.gov with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.

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 DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: .

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.

Nearest Major Market: Lubbock

Job Tags

Remote job, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Immediate start, Shift work,

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