CPI Special Investigations Program Director

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.

Job Description:

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This is a specialized position requiring previous experience as a police officer. This is not an entry-level opportunity.

Professional Background: Only candidates with a solid background in investigative roles within law enforcement will be considered for this position.

OVERVIEW
Supervises and Manages Special Investigators throughout the region who perform advanced consultative protective services work in Child Protective Investigations (CPI), with an emphasis on forensic investigations. This position involves coordinating, assigning, and providing consultative oversight to Special Investigators who assist and investigate cases that are of a high profile or high-risk nature or require joint investigation with law enforcement due to alleged criminal acts. As Program Director over Special Investigators an essential job task is providing consultation and assistance to Special Investigators to assist in providing training, insight, case guidance and documentation to Investigators and Family Based Safety Services (FBSS) Workers regarding complex investigation cases and issues, forensic investigation techniques, and investigation skills. Accompanies workers on investigations and provides information on criminal statutes and law enforcement procedures, when circumstances warrant. Provides guidance to Special Investigators on effective investigation techniques from a law enforcement perspective. Works with Program Directors to assist in, provides training to, and serves as a consultant to other CPI, CPS, APS staff in the area, and provides support. Initiates communication with local and regional law enforcement to ensure coordination of investigations between Investigators and Law Enforcement. Provides oversight and supervision to Special Investigators, including oversight to case analysis, travel, time, leave, case assignment, and statistical data for regional and statewide documentation, conferences, personnel, positive performance, and educational reference for regional management. 

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Plans, coordinates and monitors service delivery in program areas to ensure effective and efficient program operations.
• Works with other regional staff to address contract issues, develops regional procedures, shares problem solving on barriers to program goals, all in relationship with other Child Protective Services and agency staff.
• Selects, manages and develops staff through review of performance data, conferences, training and performance appraisals.
• Reviews casework decisions, when requested by the client or others to ensure decisions are appropriate and consistent with policies and procedures. Interprets program policies and procedures to program staff, other Family & Protective Services staff and the general public.
• Addresses and attempts to resolve client, community, and staff concerns and issues regarding individual cases and operating procedures.
• Reviews and provides consultation on complex, sensitive high-profile cases and staff issues. Develops and maintains effective working relationships between Child Protective Investigations, CPS and APS staff, the general public, legal, medical, educational and other community entities.
• Prepares management reports, analysis, correspondence, and related materials to keep management informed and responds to issues.
• Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. Promotes, monitors, and ensures that respect is demonstrated for cultural diversity.
• Attends work regularly in accordance with agency leave policy.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of Child Protective Investigations Handbook, policy and procedures.
• Knowledge of Management for CPI Investigative Staff.
• Ability to manage time and leave, travel, and personnel action for unit of 12 Special Investigators. Ability to track investigations, apply CPI Handbook Book policy for analysis and program guidance.
• Knowledge of Texas criminal and civil law relating to abuse and neglect of children.
• Knowledge of forensic interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of normal child development and family dynamics, including problem areas of domestic violence, substance abuse, criminal activity.
• Knowledge of community resources, particularly within the law enforcement community, and their use for addressing child abuse and neglect problems.
• Skill in forensic interviewing of children and adults.
• Skill in determining risk of harm to children.
• Skill in applying crisis intervention techniques.
• Skill in investigating and resolving difficult child abuse or neglect cases.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, agency staff, law enforcement personnel and community groups.
• Ability to evaluate investigation records in relation to the department standards for quality.
• Ability to analyze reports and produce comprehensive documents regarding findings.
• Ability to train staff in forensic interview techniques.    

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

Valid Texas Driver's License

Currently a Licensed Texas Peace Officer or have been a licensed Peace Officer in the State of Texas in the past two years preferred.

Intermediate TCOLE Certification preferred. Out of state law enforcement agency or United State Military licenses and certifications comparable to a Texas Peace Officer are acceptable. 

Initial Screening Criteria:

Graduation from high school or equivalent.

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, social work.

Two years’ experience as an investigator with a child protection duties.

Four years full-time consultative, supervisory, managerial, professional or technical work which must include: analysis or work problems having an administrative aspect and interpretation of complex written material; or program operations where a wide range of demands are involved, including interpretation of complex written material or DFPS experience.

Four years full time law enforcement experience with primary duties involving the use of forensic investigation methods. Examples of desired forensic investigation skills are: experience interviewing perpetrators, children and witnesses, crime scene analysis including photographic and written documentation, experience obtaining credible and reliable victim, witness and suspect statements and report writing.

Acceptable Substitutions:

Four years' experience as a Detective investigating crimes against persons. Crimes against persons include but not limited to murder, sexual assault, aggravated sexual assault, assault and aggravated assault, family violence, and child abuse. This may substitute for a four-year college degree.

Provided the candidate met the initial criteria in effect at the time they began employment as a Special Investigator, the candidate has 5 years of consecutive front line service with the Special Investigations division, and has served in an active mentor or leadership role with the Special Investigations division, the combined experience may be substituted for the listed TCOLE and Peace Officer requirements. 

Additional Information:

Interview Requirements: Any candidate who is called to an agency for an interview must notify the interviewing agency in writing of any reasonable accommodation needed prior to the date of the interview.

HHS agencies use E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work.

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), HHS 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 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.
 

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: 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.