APS Investigator Specialist

Department Of Family And Protective Services; Lufkin (TX); On-site; USD 43,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

100% paid health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid vacation/holidays/sick leave

Optional dental, vision, life ins.

Flexible spending accounts

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) is seeking an APS Investigator Specialist I in Lufkin, TX. This full-time role focuses on protecting the elderly and adults with disabilities who cannot protect themselves. The position includes on-call duties, 75% travel, and state benefits.

Newly hired employees may receive a starting salary increase with a Master’s in Social Work. DFPS supports professional development through its Certification Program and ongoing learning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent with two years of relevant work exp.
• 60 college credit hours plus two years relevant work exp.
• 90 college credit hours plus one year relevant work exp.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reports to assess urgency by interviewing clients and others.
• Provides services after hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Determines actions to remove or lessen immediate threats for clients.

Skills

Verbal/written communication

Empathy for elderly/disabled

Crisis intervention

On-call availability

Interpersonal skills

Computer skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Posting ID22841-Posted10/29/2026-Dept of Family & Protectve Svc-Region 5 APS In-Home Dir Del-Protective Services-Not Eligible for Telework- Other Locations (2) -$3000 - $4999 per month

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 don’t match—often adding hundreds of dollars each month to what you take home or save.

Here’s what you get as a full-time employee:

• 100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving 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 (that’s time off you’re actually paid for)
• Optional dental, vision, and life insurance —at 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

Functional Title:APS Investigator Specialist
Job Title:APS INV Specialist I
Agency:Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department:Region 5 APS In-Home Dir Del
Posting Number:22841
Closing Date:11/12/2026
Posting Audience:Internal and External
Occupational Category:Protective Services
Salary Range:$3,816.65-$5,372.41
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: Job Location City:LUFKIN
Job Location Address:1210 S CHESTNUT ST
Other Locations:Lufkin; Nacogdoches
MOS Codes: 0149,5805,5821,5822,5832,14N,14NX,183X,1N0X1,230X,311A,31D,351L,351M,35L,35M,42SX,43HX,4C0X1,4E0X1
5IX,683X,68X,71SX,73A,783X,HM,INV,IS,ISS,IV,MST,NC,OAP12

Brief Job Description:

An APS Investigator Specialist protects the elderly and adults with disabilities who are unable to protect themselves. An APS Investigator Specialist has a very challenging job that can be stressful at times –but there are few occupations that offer more opportunities to learn new things about families, your community and yourself.
Newly hired employees holding a Master's Degree in Social Work qualify for an automatic starting salary increase of 6.8%.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:

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 that fosters growth and innovation, and equips participants with the knowledge and skills needed to deepen their expertise in their respective role.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

• Investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults to assess the urgency of the problem by interviewing clients, family members and other to gather social, functional, physical and mental- emotional information for evaluation.
• Provides services after normal working hours and on weekends to maintain 24 hour coverage, including receiving reports of alleged abuse, neglect or exploitation.
• Determines temporary or long-term action to be taken to remove or lessen an immediate threat to the life or health of an adult protective services client to include counseling clients and caregivers, providing information and referral services, testifying in court to seek emergency protective services, finding alternate housing when necessary, and providing on-going services.
• Develops individualized service plans to meet the needs of the adult protective services client and maintains detailed documentation on each case.
• Makes presentations and participates in community awareness and related activities to inform the public about the program.
• Prepares routine, statistical, and special reports for management.
• Serves in lead capacity in absence of supervisor.
• 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 and Abilities (KSAs):

• Knowledge of agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Knowledge of Texas laws relating to adult protective services.
• Knowledge of gerontology and the dynamics of the aging process.
• Knowledge of special problems of the aged and disabled.
• Knowledge of crisis intervention techniques and skills.
• Knowledge of differing cultures/ethnic groups and values.
• Skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Skill in effective verbal and written communication.
• Ability to work effectively with difficult abuse/neglect complaints.
• Ability to empathize and provide encouragement to disabled adults and the elderly and to help them meet particular needs and alleviate problems.
• Ability to operate a personal computer and various software packages.
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including fax and copy machines.
• Ability to make home visits in isolated or high crime areas that may involve exposure to substandard and unsanitary living conditions.
• Ability to be on call in order to receive reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
• Ability to work with violent and dangerous individuals.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

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, insurance, and license.

Initial Screening Criteria:

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist I: An accredited Bachelor's degreeORaccredited Associate's 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 populations.

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II: An accredited Bachelor's degreeORaccredited Associate's 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 populations. Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist I for 9 months AND have received Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III: An accredited Bachelor's degreeORaccredited Associate's 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 populations. Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II for 9 months AND have received Advanced Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as a Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist IV: An accredited Bachelor's degreeORaccredited Associate's 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 populations. Employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist III for 24 months AND have received Senior Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist Certification OR currently employed as an Adult Protective