Residential Child Care Licensing Investigator

This position serves as a Residential Child Care Licensing 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 Licensing. In addition, the Residential Child Care Licensing 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 Licensing, other state agencies, Law Enforcement entities, Child Care Licensing Legal staff and the general public.

To learn more about the agency, please click here.

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 27 million 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.

 Essential Job Functions:

• Investigates referrals that allege abuse/neglect of children placed in facilities licensed or certified by Residential Child Care Licensing. 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 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. Applicants must pass a fingerprint background check prior to being hired.

 Initial Selection Criteria:

Residential Child Care Licensing Investigator I:

• Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, OR

• Current employment as a DFPS Special Investigator, OR

• At least 60 hours of college AND an Intermediate Peace Officer license with TCOLE (or comparable licensure with an out-of-state or federal law enforcement governing body) with at least three (3) years full-time work experience as a commissioned peace officer in a patrol level (not corrections or detention). Work experience as a commissioned peace officer over three (3) years may be considered in lieu of college credit hours.

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

 Additional Information:

This position may be filled at any level from a RCCL Investigator I to an RCCL 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 here.

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