Residential Child Care Investigator

Overview

Job Description:

This position serves as a Residential Child Care Investigator and is responsible for conducting child abuse/neglect investigations of children placed in 24-hour childcare facilities and child placing agencies licensed or certified by Residential Child Care Investigations. In addition, the Residential Child Care Investigator conducts investigations to determine the facility’s compliance with related Minimum Standards. The position documents the conduct and findings of both investigations. The abuse/neglect investigation deals with victims and perpetrators of child abuse/neglect. The compliance investigation determines the facility’s role by assessing compliance with Minimum Standards. The position is accountable for promoting sound residential childcare and child placement principles in accordance with Texas licensing law, Minimum Standards, and Texas Department of Family and Protective Services policies and procedures. The position interacts routinely with administrative and professional staff of private and public facilities and child placing agencies licensed or certified by Residential Child Care Investigations, other state agencies, Law Enforcement entities, Child Care Licensing Legal staff and the general public.

A Residential Child Care Investigator- SAO RCI Investigator .

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 Service Loan Forgiveness Program , which forgives the remaining balance on college student Direct Loans after making 120 qualifying monthly payments, but also offers excellent health benefits , special discounts on many products and services through the Discount Purchase Program , a lifetime monthly retirement annuity as well as Texa$aver 401(k) and 457 Programs under the Employees Retirement System of Texas. An additional benefit you will receive is 12 days of paid annual leave, 12 sick days, and the potential to earn up to four days of administrative leave each year. Your annual paid leave accrual increases as your tenure increases.

Help Us Make a Difference As

To explore more of what Residential Child Care Investigators do, click here .

For a realistic job preview for this position and about the agency, 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.

Essential Job Functions

• Investigates referrals that allege abuse/neglect of children placed in facilities licensed or certified by Residential Child Care Investigations. Coincidentally, investigates the facility’s compliance with applicable Texas Law, especially Minimum Standards.
• Documents findings of investigations regarding abuse/neglect and compliance with Minimum Standards.
• Prepares for and testifies in criminal and civil courts, including State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• 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.
  
  

Knowledge Skills Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the Family Code and other laws and regulations relating to children and their care such as the Texas Child Care Licensing Act.
• Knowledge of mental retardation, emotional disturbance, physical handicaps, development disabilities, and treatment measures as applied to children.
• Skill in assessing immediacy of harmful situations, which might result in injury or death to a child and ability to take appropriate action.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to manage hostility and resistance to regulation in a professional, non-defensive manner.
• Ability to travel
  
  

Registration Or Licensure Requirements

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 and license.

Initial Selection Criteria

Residential Child Care Investigator I:

An accredited bachelor’s degree OR accredited associate 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.

Residential Child Care Investigator II: Employed as a Residential Child Care Investigator for two years AND Child Care Investigation Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Residential Child Care Investigator II OR previous experience as a Residential Child Care Investigator II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Additional Information

This position may be filled at any level from a RCI Investigator I to an RCI Investigator II. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary; however, the starting salary for this position may not exceed the maximum of the pay group.

This position will be in a mobile unit which means the majority of the work will be conducted using mobile technology, such as a tablet, while away from the office. Being mobile requires working independently yet still being responsive to supervision and your assigned unit.

Newly-hired DFPS employees in eligible positions will be assigned a DFPS cellular phone.

Physical Requirements

These requirements are not exhaustive, and additional job related physical requirements may be added to these by individual agencies on an as needed basis. Corrective devices may be used to meet physical requirements. These are typical requirements; however, reasonable accommodations are possible.

Physical Activities: He/she is frequently asked to stand, hear and talk; he/she is occasionally asked to climb.

Physical Demands: The incumbent typically performs work that requires him/her to exert up to 20 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Visual Requirements: The incumbent must be able to see objects clearly at 20 inches or less, and at 20 or more feet. In addition, he/she must be able to adjust his/her eyes to bring objects into focus, distinguish colors, see objects in his/her peripheral vision, and see objects in three dimensions.

Working Conditions: He/she typically works in a mobile environment (the majority of work is performed outside of the office environment) and is exposed occasionally to adverse environmental conditions including, but not necessarily limited to, extreme heat, wetness and humidity, chemicals, close quarters, gases and heights.

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.

MOS Code

Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk .

Note: There are no direct military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position. All active duty, reservists, guardsmen, and veterans are encouraged to apply. For more information, see the Texas State Auditor's Military Crosswalk .

As a state agency, DFPS is required 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.

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

I-9 Form - Click here to download the I-9 form.

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.