CPI Investigative Supervisor

Brief Job Description:

The CPI Supervisor performs highly complex (senior-level) consultative services, technical assistance and supervisor work. This position manages administrative staff and a unit of caseworkers responsible for conducting Investigations and Alternative Response (AR) cases within the CPI Division. The Supervisor provides case consultations and monitors the status of cases within the unit by utilizing data warehouse reports to identify trends and patterns related to risk and child safety issues. The Supervisor selects, hires, manages, and develops staff through review of performance data, individual conferences, case readings, data warehouse reports, field visits, and unit meetings to ensure productivity and compliance with policy, procedure, and service control requirements. Provides consultative services, analysis, and technical assistance to design, implement, and monitor solutions and improvements resulting from assessment of CPI cases within the unit pertaining to all child safety issues to ensure the best outcome for the families we serve. The Supervisor provides subject matter expertise, guidance and consultation to unit staff, internal and external stakeholders to shape effective service delivery. The Supervisor is accountable for critical decisions that are crucial to the protection of children. Consults with the area Program Director, regional and state office management, regional caseworkers, and external public and private stakeholders to provide details of complex, high profile and sensitive CPI cases and prioritizes time sensitive reports. The role of an investigative supervisor is a fast-paced, high energy position, requiring daily assessment and decision-making of child safety issues. This position requires regular on-call duties, frequency and timeframes determined by the regional area, to include holidays and weekends. The position oversees the unit in accordance with Child Protective Services Handbook, Title III of the Texas Family Code and Minimum Standards of child placing agencies. The position interacts routinely with clients, judges, attorneys, child advocacy centers, medical and school personnel and all parties involved in an investigation assigned to their unit. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Essential Job Functions (EJFs):

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned. Oversees, directs, and staffs case actions related to safety, risk, and permanency daily. Ensures timely contact is made on all cases and staff are continually assessing child safety throughout the investigation by reviewing case records to ensure documentation reflects all contacts are accurately entered. Evaluates unit performance through case readings, review that safety assessments and reassessments are completed timely, and referrals to community resources or services are provided when the caseworker determines such resources will reduce danger to a child, support protective actions, and mitigate factors placing the child at risk of future harm. Reviews cases submitted for closure in accordance with Department policies and procedures. Confers with program leadership when an unresolved danger indicator in the family or factors contributing to high risk occur. (40%).

Implements program guidelines, performs administrative functions for staff, and conducts unit meetings. The Supervisor reviews abuse/neglect intakes routed to the unit on a daily basis, by evaluating case readings and providing case consultation in order to assess and mitigate child safety and risk related issues and works with staff to ensure timely contact with the family is established. The Supervisor ensures all time and leave is entered into the Centralized Accounting and Payroll/Personnel System (CAPPS) and provide oversight, regulation, and manage all overtime accumulated by staff. The Supervisor provides training and conducts monthly meetings with staff to convey important communications pertaining to policies and procedures, address trends and patterns in productivity and quality of the work, discuss day-to-day operations, provide CPI updates, and support team cohesiveness. (25%).

Interviews, selects, hires, manages, and develops staff. Conducts field visits with staff, reviews performance data, holds monthly conferences, trains, and completes performance appraisals. Evaluates unit performance through case readings, computer reports, and observation of unit operations to ensure unit compliance with policy, procedure, and service control requirements. The Supervisor works to educate and develop competent staff that can engage, support, and empower families to ensure the safety, permanency, and well-being of the children and families we serve.

The Supervisor provides guidance and direction on policy, procedures, best practices, and on-going support through professional development. (20%)

Consults with unit staff and interprets program policy and procedures to agency staff, parents, children, youth, caregivers, volunteers, advocates, judges, educational, juvenile justice, other stakeholders, and the general public. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure coordination, quality, efficiency, and effectiveness of the unit’s performance. Represents the program at meetings, conferences, workgroups, hearings and other events. (10%)

Performs other duties as assigned and required to maintain unit operations. (5%)

Total Time Spent: 100%

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations related to the INV/AR program.

Specialized knowledge of INV/AR program and child welfare practice.

Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Skill at establishing and maintaining productive working relationships both internally and externally.

Ability to operate a personal computer and use various software packages.

Ability to prepare clear and concise reports.

Ability to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze facts.

Ability to prioritize and manage multiple responsibilities.

Ability to understand new information effectively and quickly.

Ability to plan, direct and assign responsibilities and supervise the work of others.

Ability to work with people from a variety of backgrounds and professions.

Ability to represent Child Protective Investigations effectively with key stakeholders.

Registrations, Licensure Requirements or Certifications:

N/A

Initial Screening Criteria:

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus 2 years of full-time experience in Child Protective Services* or child placement services** in a public social services agency OR 60 accredited college credit hours plus four (4) years CPI/CPS casework work experience OR 90 accredited college credit hours plus 3 and half (3 1/2) years of CPI/CPS casework work experience OR Currently employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor I in Family and Protective Services.

Child Protective Services Supervisor II: Currently employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II in Family and Protective Services OR Currently employed in a Family and Protective Services management position in the Child Protective Services program at a level above Child Protective Services Supervisor AND prior experience as Child Protective Services Supervisor in Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Supervisor II.

• Child Protective Services is professional social work where primary duties are providing social casework services to abused, neglected, or exploited children and their families; or in recruiting, studying, and certifying foster and adoptive homes.

**A Child placement service is the decision-making process around placing and monitoring children in licensed 24-hour childcare facilities and in adoptive placement in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Additional Information:

This position may be filled as a CPS Supervisor I or II. Current posting is at a Supervisor II level. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary.