CPI Alternative Response Worker Trainee

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 dont matchoften adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Heres what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you and 50% paid for eligible family memberssaving 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 (thats time off youre actually paid for)
• Optional dental vision and life insuranceat 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 Alternative Response Worker Trainee
Job Title:CPI Alt Response Spec Trainee
Agency:Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department:CPS Investigations Region 3W
Posting Number:17945
Closing Date:06/26/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Protective Services
Salary Range:$3816.65-$5372.41
Pay Frequency: Monthly
Salary Group:TEXAS-B-17
Shift:Day
Additional Shift:None
Telework:Not Eligible for Telework
Travel:Up to 75%
Regular/Temporary:Regular
Full Time/Part Time:Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt:Nonexempt
Facility Location:Rio Grande State Center
Job Location City:GRANBURY
Job Location Address:2175 RUTH SMITH DR
Other Locations:None
MOS Codes:N14NX183X1N0X1230X311A31D351L351M35L35M42SX43HX4C0X14E0X1
5IX683X68X71SX73A783XHMINVISISSIVMSTNCOAP12

Brief Job Description:

Child Protective Investigations (CPI) 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.

The position under the direction of a child placement supervisor performs advanced social work related to protective services intake child abuse or neglect assessment Alternative Response foster care and adoptions. Work involves making determinations of appropriate actions necessary to resolve family emotional and/or physical stress situations which cause child abuse or neglect. The position interacts routinely with Texas Department of Family and Protective Services staff clients representatives from various organizations community resources and the general hired employees holding a Masters Degree in Social Worker may qualify for an increase at the point of hire.

HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

To explore more of what Child Protective Investigations Specialist do clickhere.

For a realistic job preview of this position and to learn more DFPS please clickhere. 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 thatfosters growth and innovation and equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to deepen their expertise in their respective role.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Determines the causes/factors of abuse/neglect to children to assess current or future risk to children by gathering information from parents family members and others; interviewing and examining children; assessing home environment; and gathering pertinent information from other sources.
• Collaborates and works with the family to determine strengths needs and action to be taken to remove or to reduce an immediate threat to the safety of a child to include referring family for crisis intervention therapy or other community resources testifying in court to seek emergency protective services and placing children in substitute care.
• 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 families Child Protective Services staff and law enforcement officials judicial officials legal resources medical professionals and other community resources to achieve a positive outcome.
• 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 among families 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.
• Knowledge of community resources.
• Knowledge of extensive engagement strategies.
• Knowledge of Child Protective Services policy and procedures.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Ability to work with other professionals in the community.

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 ProtectiveInvestigations Alternative ResponseSpecialist I: An accredited Bachelors degreeORaccredited Associates degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experienceOR60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experienceOR90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work 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 Alternative Response Specialist II:An accredited Bachelors degreeORaccredited Associates degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experienceOR60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experienceOR90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work 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 as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II or Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist II or Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Child Investigations Alternative Response Specialist III:An accredited Bachelors degreeORaccredited Associates degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experienceOR60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experienceOR90 accredited college credit hours plus one (1) year of relevant work 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 as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III or Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist III or Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Child Investigations Alternative Response Specialist IV:An accredited Bachelors degreeORaccredited Associates degree plus two (2) years of relevant work experienceOR60 accredited college credit hours plus two (2) years relevant work experienceOR90 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 as a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Advanced Child Protective Services Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV or Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Investigations Specialist IV or Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

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 aChild Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist I to a Child Protective Investigations Alternative Response Specialist IV. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary.

Applicants selected for this position are also eligible to receive a $416.66 monthly increase in addition to the base salary. Applicants hired into an investigative position will receive this increase the first of the month following 120 days of tenure. Once employed the incumbent must remain in an investigative position to continue to receive the additional pay. If you leave Family Investigations or AR and return within the last 12-months the INV stipend is given immediately. All other situations must wait the 120 days to receive the INV stipend.

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.

Learn about the essential COMPETENCIES required/acquired during the first few months of employment here:DFPS - CPS Practice Guides & Core Competencies

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 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 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.

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 tothose 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 Auditors Job Descriptions Military Crosswalk and Military Crosswalk Guide at Texas State Auditors Office - Job Descriptions. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at with additional questions.

Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a drivers 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: .

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-. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process please notify the person scheduling the interview.