Child Protective Investigations (CPI) Investigators investigate claims of child abuse and neglect. They have the difficult task of figuring out what happened and predicting what will happen in the future. CPI receives and investigates reports of abuse and neglect 24 hours per day, every day of the year.
A CPI investigation includes interviewing and gathering information to see if abuse or neglect happened and if intervention is necessary. The investigator considers both risk and safety issues and may recommend services for the child and family to reduce the risk of further abuse or neglect.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
- Responds quickly in crisis situations involving children who may be inan abusive or neglectful situation. Sometimes these situations can be dangerous.
- Conducts forensic investigations of reports of abuse/neglect to children to determine if abuse or neglect occurred and conducts assessments to determine the current or future risk of harm to children.
- Observes children for signs of any harm and assess the signs to determine if they are the result of abuse or neglect. This could involve children with serious injuries and child fatalities.
- Interviews people in the case such as the parents, caregivers, person who reports the concern, family members, and others familiar with the family situation. This may include medical staff, teachers, law enforcement, etc.
- Assesses child safety and takes the necessary actions to protect the child as appropriate. This could include removing a child from their family.
- Talks frankly and objectively with families about matters they may consider personal and private, such as parenting decisions and actions, sexual abuse, income, money management, and personalrelationships.
- Determines action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include working with families to identify family members who can assist with keeping the child safe, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, referring family for immediate crisis intervention therapy or other community resources.
- Documents all relevant and appropriate information gathered during the investigation and completes all required forms accurately and in a timely manner.
- Gathers family and kinship information to support the child in a placement, should the child be placed in DFPScustody.
- Participates in a regular on-call rotation that requires response to situations of abuse/neglect after normal business hours including overnight and weekend.
- Develops and maintains effective working relationships with law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and the community.
- Works under constant deadlines that require prioritizing tasks and the ability to work flexible hours.
- Maintains a balance of objectivity and empathy for families living in stressful and crisis situations.
- 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 and competency among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
- Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
- Knowledge of child development
- Knowledge of family dynamics
- Skill in effective verbal and written communication
- 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 as well as other work related appointments and meetings after 5pm
- Ability to be on call on a rotating basis and work irregular hours
- Ability to work in an emotion-filled environment and which may require conducting home visits in isolated or high crime areas and may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions
Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:
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.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Child Protective Investigations 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.