Investigator Specialist

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION; Bryan (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Dental & Vision optional

Flexible spending accounts

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services seeks an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist to protect elderly and disabled adults. You will interview clients, assess risk, and coordinate services with families and community resources.

This full-time position requires fieldwork with travel up to 75% and may include evenings or weekends. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent is required, with opportunities for advancement and state benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher required and relevant work experience in social/human services.

Responsibilities

• Investigates reports of abuse, neglect or exploitation of elderly or disabled adults.
• Provides services after hours and on weekends to maintain 24-hour coverage.
• Develops individualized service plans and maintains detailed documentation.

Job description

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. 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
• You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.

Shift: Day

Additional Shift

Travel: Up to 75%

Regular/Temporary: Full Time/Part Time: Full time

Facility Location

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.

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.

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.

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 of agency policies, procedures, and standards.

Knowledge of Texas laws relating to adult protective services.

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.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements Or Certifications

This position requires use of the applicant's personal motor vehicle to complete job functions.

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist I: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's 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.

Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist II: An accredited Bachelor's degree OR accredited Associate's 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. 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 degree OR accredited Associate's 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. 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 degree OR accredited Associate's 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. 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 Services Investigator Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as an Adult Protective Services Investigator Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

Completion of coursework or a degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Counseling, Education, or a related field.

Experience working in a government agency, nonprofit, or school providing support to individuals or families in need, including children, adults, older adults, or people with disabilities.

Prior experience in case management, investigations, law enforcement, or courtroom testimony related to protective services, social services, or family and adult welfare.

Physical Activities: He/she is frequently asked to stand, hear, and talk; Visual Requirements: The incumbent must be able to see objects clearly at 20 inches or less, and at 20 or more feet. 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.

An applicant must be an APS employee and must have one year of full-time continuous APS employment before the date of the application is due. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in a bachelor’s or master’s program that is relevant to APS work and any position within APS can apply.

Business-related travel is reimbursed at the state-approved mileage rate and according to DFPS policy.

APS Investigator Specialists spend the majority of their workday “in the field” conducting home visits to interview clients and alleged perpetrators. Although each workday may begin and end at home, APS Investigator Specialists are expected to be in the field making visits and engaging the community every day.

This role requires frequent travel to homes and offices both within and outside your assigned region. Reliable transportation and a strong willingness to travel are essential, as you can expect to be on the road about 60% of the time. While much of your travel will be local, there will be instances—including last-minute situations—where you’ll need to go outside your assigned counties, sometimes with little notice. Some overnight travel is also required, especially during initial training held outside your area and as cases demand. Flexibility is critical, as our mission to protect the most vulnerable means you must be ready to serve clients wherever and whenever you are needed.

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. 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.

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 1-888-894-4747.