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:
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100% paid health insurance for you, and 50% paid for eligible family members—saving you hundreds every month in out-of-pocket medical costs
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Retirement plans with lifetime monthly payments after five years of state service, plus options to save even more with 401(k) and 457 plans
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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)
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Optional dental, vision, and life insurance—at rates much lower than most private plans
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Flexible spending accounts for added tax savings on health and dependent care
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Employee discounts on things like gym memberships, electronics, and entertainment
You also might qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness, which could help you pay off federal student loans faster.
You can see all the details here: ERS recruitment brochure
Functional Title: Residential Child Care Investigator
Job Title: RCI Investigator I
Agency: Dept of Family & Protectve Svc
Department: Residential Investigations
Posting Number: 19875
Closing Date: 08/24/2026
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: Days (First)
Telework: Not Eligible for Telework
Travel: Up to 85%
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Full Time/Part Time: Full time
FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt
Facility Location:
Job Location City: PALESTINE
Job Location Address: 550 WILLOW CREEK PKWY
Other Locations: Tyler; Athens; Atlanta; Canton; Carthage; Clarksville; Daingerfield; Gilmer; Henderson; Jacksonville; Linden; Longview; Marshall; Mount Pleasant; Mount Vernon; Palestine; Paris; Quitman; Rusk; Sulphur Springs; Texarkana
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
A Residential Child Care Investigator (RCI) works within Child Care Investigations (CCI) to help protect children from abuse, neglect, or exploitation. RCIs gather information, investigate reports in licensed and unlicensed foster homes, Child Placing Agencies, Residential Treatment Centers, and Group Homes, and play a key role in ensuring corrective action is taken when necessary. In some cases, RCIs may also serve as a conservator for a child to safeguard their well-being.
This work can be demanding and stressful at times, but few roles provide as many opportunities to gain insight into families, communities, and yourself.
HELP US MAKE A DIFFERENCE:
To explore more of what Residential Child Care Investigators do, click here.
For a realistic job preview of this position and to learn more about DFPS, please click here. 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.
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):
All Levels:
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Obtains information and investigates reports of alleged abuse or neglect and emergency situations and takes corrective action.
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Assesses child’s needs for degree and priority of services and develops service plans.
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Advises, counsels, and interviews children, parents, caregivers, family members, and others to gather social, functional, and physical and mental health information for evaluation.
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Visits child to assess the child’s safety; plan for permanency; and discuss needs, wishes, and progress while in care.
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Removes children in dangerous situations from homes and admits children to emergency shelters until foster homes are found.
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Arranges for educational, medical, and psychiatric examinations or treatments.
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Studies, recruits, and recommends foster families to provide care for abused or neglected children.
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Monitors foster homes and children to ensure that the children’s needs are met.
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Conducts home studies of families wishing to adopt children and coordinates visits between children and prospective parents prior to adoption.
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Prepares adoption readiness studies and conducts adoption social studies.
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Prepares documentation and seeks court orders for emergency protective services actions.
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Prepares and maintains case documentation.
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Supervises adoptive placements until the adoption is final or until the case is transferred to an adoption caseworker.
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Performs related work as assigned.
Level 2:
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Advise and counsel parents and children during stressful situations.
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Testify in court.
Level 3:
- Participate in community awareness activities.
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Investigate reports alleging illegal child care and/or standards violations in licensed and registered child care facilities and document findings.
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Conduct risk assessments of protective services cases and determine and implement case actions.
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Prepare statistical and special reports for management.
Level 4:
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Review referrals and make case assignments.
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Instruct staff on work methods, organizational procedures, and case documentation techniques.
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Develop community resources.
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Develop specialized service plans to meet the needs of protective services clients.
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Monitor and review child adoption or foster home studies.
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Approve the movement of children into or out of placement.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
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Ability to maintain the security and integrity of the infrastructure per Governor Abbot Executive Order GA-48.
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Knowledge of the laws and regulations related to child care, abuse, and neglect; child development principles and theories and of family dynamics; community social services resources; the laws and regulations related to child protective services; and crisis intervention techniques and skills.
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Skill in interviewing and in the use of a computer and applicable software.
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Ability to obtain information and conduct investigations, to conduct risk assessments, to develop client programs, to evaluate living conditions, to prepare reports, to testify in court, and to communicate effectively.
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Ability to develop community resources; to develop policies, procedures, and standards; and to oversee and/or to supervise the work of others.
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 and license.
Initial Screening Criteria:
Residential Child Care 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 work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
Residential Child Care 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 work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
In addition to the requirements above, to meet this level, you must also have been employed as a RCI Specialist I for 9 months AND have received RCI Investigator II Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Investigator Specialist II in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Residential Child Care 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 work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
In addition to the requirements above, to meet this level, you must also have been employed as a RCI Specialist II for 9 months AND have received RCI Investigator III Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist III in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Residential Child Care 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 work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or protective services include paid or volunteer work within social service agencies or communities providing services to families or other at-risk populations.
In addition to the requirements above, to meet this level, you must also have been employed as a RCI Specialist III for 24 months AND have received RCI Investigator IV Certification OR currently employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services OR previously employed as a Child Protective Services Specialist IV in Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.
Preferred Criteria:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in social work, counseling, early childhood education, psychology, criminal justice, elementary or secondary education, or a related field is generally preferred.
Additional Information:
This position may be filled at any level from a Residential Child Care Investigator I to a Residential Child Care Investigator IV. Factors such as education and experience may be considered when establishing the starting salary. The base salary for a Residential Child Care Investigator I is $3816.65.
Attention current and former DFPS employees: Each level of this position has specific training requirements. If selected for this position, these requirements must be met within 12 months of hire. More information can be found about training requirements here: Caseworker and Supervisor Certification - Career Plans
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.
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.
Review our Tips for Success when applying for jobs at DFPS, DSHS and HHSC.
Military occupation(s) that relate to the initial selection criteria and registration or licensure requirements for this position may include, but not limited to those listed in this posting. 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. You may also contact the DFPS Military Liaison at [email protected] with additional questions.
Applicants selected for hire must pass a background check and if applicable a driver’s record check.
State of Texas employees are required to maintain the security and integrity of critical infrastructure as defined in Section 117.001(2), State of Texas Business and Commerce Code. 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.
DFPS uses E-Verify. You must bring your I-9 documentation with you on your first day of work. Employees must provide documentation to DFPS to show their identity and authorization to work in the US. Please review the following link for authorized documents: https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-acceptable-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. If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodation to participate in the interview process, please notify the person scheduling the interview.
