SWI Screener II

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: SWI Screener II 
Job Title: SWI Screener II/Investigtr VI 
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc 
Department: Statewide Intake Screener 
Posting Number: 8107 
Closing Date: 08/26/2025 
Posting Audience: Internal and External 
Occupational Category: Protective Services 
Salary Group: TEXAS-B-22 
Salary Range: $4,801.16 - $7,761.50 
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Shift: Compressed Weekend 
Additional Shift: Days (First) 
Telework: Eligible for Telework 
Travel: Up to 25% 
Regular/Temporary: Regular 
Full Time/Part Time: Full time 
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt 
Facility Location:  
Job Location City: AUSTIN 
Job Location Address: 2401 RIDGEPOINT DR 
Other Locations: 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; Waco; Washington; Watauga; Waxahachie; Weatherford; Webster; Weslaco; Wharton; Wichita Falls; Woodville; Zapata 
MOS Codes: 31B, 31D, EOD, 401, 5819, 71S, P12A, P02A, 023, 42P, 001497, 401, 333021, 7S0 
 
 
 

Brief Job Description:

Statewide Intake Screener II will perform advanced consultative work related to Child Protective Investigations intakes and Residential Child Care Investigation Intakes.  Screener II will review assigned Child Protective Investigation intakes (P2 & PN) for appropriate assignment for investigations, alternative response (AR) or other appropriate actions; and/or review assigned Residential Child Care Investigation intakes (P1 & P2) to ensure correct prioritization and assignment or closure following FCL guidelines.

Screener II will provide preliminary investigation actions to identify the need for intervention or the type of intervention warranted. Screener II maintains and manages a large, fluid workload of intakes which must remain in compliance with agency time frames and guidelines for response.

Screener II will assist in identified areas for training and development.  Screener II will assist in reviewing, assessing, and documenting case related history on all persons involved on the intake, contact reporters and collaterals, review criminal history when appropriate, and conduct other searches to ensure accurate locating information and person detail.  Screener II provide appropriate case decisions regarding intake prioritization and assignment for investigations or alternative response based on agency guidelines and child safety issues. Screener II may also provide resources and referrals to families.   

Decisions are based on policy, Texas legal codes and quality social work practice. Screener II works under minimal supervision but will consult with their immediate supervisors for guidance on marginal cases or cases requiring special consideration for handling. Screener II will provide consultation and assistance to field staff regarding complex cases and issues serving as a peer consultant.  Screener II may supervise the work of others and assist with other duties as assigned.

 Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Conducts preliminary investigations of alleged violations of laws, rules, and regulations according to DFPS policy, Texas Family Code and the Texas Administrative Code 

• Reviews and assesses priority 2 and priority N Child Protective intakes 

• Reviews and assesses priority 1 and priority 2 Residential Childcare intakes 

• Reviews, assesses, and documents related history pertaining to Child Protective Investigation intakes and Residential Childcare Investigation intakes 

• Reviews criminal history on alleged perpetrators and others involved in Child Protective Investigations  

• Contacts and interviews reporters and collaterals on Child Protective Investigations and Residential Childcare Investigations  

• Records all information collected in IMPACT to be used in current and additional investigational contacts. 

• Routinely works with law enforcement and other regulatory agencies sharing information to assist in the investigation and assessment of child abuse/neglect 

• May attend court hearings to provide testimony regarding information obtained during screening. 

• Makes an initial assessment and recommends initial investigation action or closure on all screened intakes for Child Protective and Residential Childcare Investigations. 

• Stage progresses intakes and determines initial pathway for Child Protective Investigations. 

• May develop and provide training on investigative techniques and best practices 

• May supervise the work of others. 

• Performs related work as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of the Texas Family Code as related to child abuse/neglect.  
• Knowledge of normal child development and family dynamics.  

• Skill in applying social work principles.  
• Skill in applying and maintaining effective working relationships.  
• Skill in effective written and verbal communication.  
• Skill in computer operations to perform duties.  

• Ability to organize workload.  
• Ability to offer sound advice/instructions concerning clients’ needs and safety.  
• Ability to work in highly emotional situations.  
• Ability to elicit information relative to the determination of the likelihood of abuse/neglect/exploitation of children.  
• Ability to empathize with and provide encouragement to clients and their families.  
• Ability to enter data into IMPACT while gathering information on the phone.    

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

Currently employed with DFPS.  A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus five years of full-time investigation experience in Child Protective Investigations or Residential Child Investigations.  Prior supervisor experience or SWI screener experience preferred. 

Additional Information:

This position can be housed at any DFPS building and may be eligible to telework.  

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.

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.