CPI Master Investigator V

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

Functional Title: CPI Master Investigator V

Job Title: CPI Master Investigator V

Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc

Department: SO Invest Div Master INV

Posting Number: 18350

Closing Date: 07/31/2026

Posting Audience: Internal and External

Occupational Category: Protective Services

Salary Range: $4,523.16 - $7,253.83

Pay Frequency: Monthly

Salary Group: TEXAS-B-21

Shift: Day

Additional Shift:

Telework: Not Eligible for Telework

Travel: Up to 100%

Regular/Temporary: Regular

Full Time/Part Time: Full time

FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt

Facility Location:

Job Location City: WACO

Job Location Address: 801 AUSTIN AVE STE B-30

Other Locations: Waco; Abilene; Alamo; Alice; Alpine; Alvin; Amarillo; Anahuac; Andrews; Angleton; Anson; Aransas Pass; Archer City; Arlington; Athens; Atlanta; Austin; Bacliff; Ballinger; Bandera; Bastrop; Bay City; Baytown; Beaumont; Bedford; Beeville; Bellville; Big Spring; Boerne; Bonham; Borger; Bowie; Brady; Breckenridge; Brenham; Brownfield; Brownsville; Brownwood; Bryan; Burnet; Caldwell; Cameron; Canton; Canutillo; Carlsbad; Carrizo Springs; Carrollton; Carthage; Center; Centerville; Childress; Clarksville; Cleburne; Cleveland; Coldspring; Columbus; Conroe; Copperas Cove; Corpus Christi; Corsicana; Crockett; Crosby; Crystal City; Cuero; Cypress; Daingerfield; Dallas; Decatur; Del Rio; Denton; Dickinson; Dumas; Duncanville; Eagle Pass; Eastland; Edinburg; El Paso; Elgin; Elsa; Ennis; Fabens; Falfurrias; Floresville; Fort Stockton; Fort Worth; Fredericksburg; Gainesville; Galveston; Garland; Gatesville; Georgetown; Giddings; Gilmer; Goliad; Gonzales; Graham; Granbury; Grand Prairie; Grapevine; Greenville; Hallettsville; Hamilton; Harlingen; Haskell; Hearne; Hemphill; Hempstead; Henderson; Hereford; Hillsboro; Hondo; Houston; Humble; Huntsville; Hurst; Irving; Jacksonville; Jasper; Johnson City; Jourdanton; Karnes City; Katy; Kaufman; Kerrville; Killeen; Kingsville; Kingwood; Kirbyville; La Grange; Lake Jackson; Lake Worth; Lamesa; Lampasas; Lancaster; Laredo; Levelland; Lewisville; Liberty; Linden; Littlefield; Livingston; Llano; Lockhart; Longview; Lubbock; Lufkin; Lumberton; Madisonville; Marble Falls; Marfa; Marlin; Marshall; Mcallen; Mckinney; Mercedes; Meridian; Mesquite; Mexia; Midland; Mineola; Mineral Wells; Mission; Monahans; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Nacogdoches; Navasota; New Boston; New Braunfels; Odessa; Orange; Palestine; Pampa; Paris; Pasadena; Pearland; Pearsall; Pecos; Perryton; Pharr; Pittsburg; Plainview; Plano; Pollok; Port Arthur; Port Lavaca; Presidio; Quitman; Raymondville; Refugio; Richardson; Richmond; Rio Grande City; Robstown; Rockwall; Rosenberg; Round Rock; Rowlett; Rusk; San Angelo; San Antonio; San Benito; San Juan; San Marcos; San Saba; Schertz; Seguin; Seminole; Seymour; Sherman; Silsbee; Sinton; Snyder; Socorro; Sonora; South Houston; Stephenville; Sugar Land; Sulphur Springs; Sweetwater; Taylor; Temple; Terrell; Texarkana; Texas City; The Woodlands; Tomball; Trinity; Tyler; Uvalde; Van Horn; Vernon; Victoria; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata

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

The position will conduct investigations in counties across the state experiencing a high number of delinquent investigations. Work will include investigations of new and/or delinquent investigations.The position will conduct investigations that are of a high profile nature and/or provide consultation and assistance to staff regarding complex protective services cases and issues. The position will serve as a mentor and provide training to investigation staff.

This position requires a minimum of 4 days a week travel out of region depending on deployment locations.

This position can be housed in ANY Region at any DFPS office.

Essential Job Functions:

• Investigates reports of abuse/neglect to children to assess current or future risk to children by interviewing parents, family members, and others; interviewing and examining children; assessing home environment; and gathering pertinent information from other sources.
• Determines action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, placing children in substitute care, referring family for immediate crisis intervention therapy or other community resources.
• 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 Child Protective Investigations staff and law enforcement officials, judicial officials, legal resources, medical professionals, and other community resources.
• Attends and participates in training/meetings/staffing.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations.
• Promotes and demonstrates appropriate respect for cultural diversity among coworkers and all work-related contacts.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Registrations/Licensure, Requirements, or Certifications:

N/A

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of child development.

Knowledge of family dynamics.

Knowledge of Child Protective Investigation policy and procedures. Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.Skill in effective verbal and written communication.Skill in developing effective working relationships with CPS staff, law enforcement and community members.

Skill in investigating and resolving difficult child abuse or neglect cases.

Ability to evaluate investigation records in relation to the department standards for quality and quantity.

Ability to review open investigations and determine appropriate actions needed to ensure child safety prior to case closure.

Ability to utilize the functions of the Tablet PC.

Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.

Ability to work with other professionals in the community.

Ability to assist an employee having problems in job adjustment or performance.

Ability to work effectively and efficiently with limited supervision.

Ability to travel statewide for extended periods of time.

Initial Screening Criteria:

• Must have graduated from high school or equivalent.
• Must have graduated from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Experience as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III: Employed as a Child Protective Specialist III for 18 months AND have received Child Protective Specialist Certification 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.

Preferred Qualifications:

Current Experience as a CPI Investigator IV.

Additional information:

This position can be housed in any region. This position can be filled with a current/previous DFPS employee that was a Worker III or above.

This position will require a minimum of 4 days of travel out of region a week, depending on deployment location.

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 Auditors 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.

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 DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-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.