Investigator Specialist

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.

• 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

Travel:
Up to 75%

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

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.

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…