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.
What You Get Beyond Your Paycheck
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.
Here's what you get as a full-time employee:
• 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
You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster. You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure
Job Title: CPI Investigation Worker Trainee
Functional Title: CPI Investigation Worker Trainee
Job Title: CPI INV Trainee Spec I
Agency: Dept of Family & Protective Svc
Department: CPS Investigations
Region: Region 7
Posting Number: 13763
Closing Date: 03/12/2026
Posting Audience: Internal and External
Occupational Category: Protective Services
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-17
Salary Range: $3,816.65 - $5,372.41
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Day
Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 50%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location: Job Location City: TEMPLE
Job Location Address: 4501 S GENERAL BRUCE DR
Other Locations:
• MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1 5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12
Brief Job Description:
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.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
To explore more of what Investigation Specialists do, click here. For a realistic job preview of this position and to learn more DFPS, please click here. You will also have access to a self-assessment that will help you determine if this type of work is something that is a good fit for you.
DFPS is committed to its employees professional development and ongoing success and offers the DFPS Certification Program to enhance skills and advance careers within our organization.
The program is tailored specifically for DFPS employees, provides the opportunity to earn additional compensation through a supportive learning environment that fosters growth and innovation, and equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to deepen their expertise in their respective role.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
• Responds quickly in crisis situations involving children who may be in an 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. • 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 personal relationships. • 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 DFPS custody. • 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 applicants 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 drivers 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 Bachelors degree OR accredited Associates 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. • Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. • Child Protective Investigations Specialist II: An accredited Bachelors degree OR accredited Associates 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. • Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. • Child Investigations Specialist III: An accredited Bachelors degree OR accredited Associates 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. • Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations. • Child Investigations Specialist IV: An accredited Bachelors degree OR accredited Associates 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. • Examples of relevant work experience in social, human, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
Preferred Criteria:
• Degree in Social Work, Human Services (Psychology, Sociology, Child & Family Studies, or Counseling), or Criminal Justice. • Prior work experience in human services, social work, mental health, legal, or criminal justice such as parole/probation or related fields. • Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. • Typing and writing proficiency or writing-related experience/education.
Additional Information:
This position may be filled at any level from a Child Protective Investigations Specialist I to a Child