Child Protective Investigator / Child Protection Specialist

• Job Posting Closes: Open until filled

• Position Location: Garden City DCF Service Center

Department for Children and Families

Southwest Region

www.dcf.ks.gov

About the Position

• Who can apply: Anyone (External)
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full-Time/Part-Time: Full-Time
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veterans' Preference Eligible: Yes
• Search Keywords: Social Work, Child Protective Services, Investigator

Compensation:

• Child Protective Investigator: $17.71 hourly / $36,855.00 annually
• Unlicensed Protection Specialist: $20.55 hourly / $42,750.00 annually
• Licensed Protection Specialist: $21.63 hourly / $45,000.00 annually

Employment Benefits

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities

Position Summary:

As a Child Protection Specialist, you will provide protective and preventive services. Prevention is defined as prevention for out of home placement for children. The social worker will investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, perform risk and safety assessments, develop safety plans, provide information about and referrals to community resources for at risk families, and make appropriate referrals to contracted family preservation and foster care providers.

As a Child Protective Investigator, you will be a member of the Joint Investigative Team (Supervisor, Child Protection Specialist, Child Protective Investigator). You will receive assignment reports of families where child(ren) are suspected of being abused or neglected or in need of care as defined by K.S.A. 38-2202. Reviews preliminary data and in conjunction with the Child Protection Specialist, develops an investigative plan

Job Responsibilities may include but are not limited to the following:

Child Protection Specialist- This position works in a cooperative fashion with customers, staff, and agency partners to provide efficient and effective service. At DCF, the customer is placed at the center of planning, policy development, program implementation, and practice with customer outcomes driving decision-making at all levels. By integrating services, we create and maintain a prevention focus as a way of doing business by interacting and engaging with others to proactively foster well-being.

To view the full Child Protection Specialist position description, please click this link:
http://content.dcf.ks.gov/hr/careers/K0232794.pdf

Child Protective Investigator- Establishes timely face to face contact with one or more family members to included alleged victims to gather facts regarding issues. Conducts interviews and obtains documented evidence. Confers and shares results of facts gathered with the Protection Specialist and Supervisor and assists in making case finding decisions. Prepares final investigatory report for review and approval by the Child Protection Specialist.

To view the full Child Protective Investigator position description, please click this link:
http://content.dcf.ks.gov/hr/careers/K0232794A.pdf

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications:
  • Child Protection Specialist: Four-year degree in a Human Services or Behavioral Sciences Field of study, or education determined relevant by the agency. Valid Driver's License.
  • Child Protective Investigator: Two years investigation, fact finding or enforcing state or federal laws and regulations. Associate degree in social work, criminal justice (law enforcement or corrections) may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. Valid Driver’s License.
    
• Preferred Qualifications:
  • Child Protection Specialist- One or more of the following:
    Bachelor’s in Social Work (Licensed Social Worker), Master’s in Professional Counseling (Licensed Professional Counselor), Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy (Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist).
    Licensed Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board (BSRB) professional as determined relevant by the agency.
    A minimum of 2 years of work experience in Children and Family Services.
  • Child Protective Investigator-
    Two years of experience doing field investigative work as a law enforcement officer, corrections/parole officer, social worker, or special/private investigator.
    Bachelor’s degree in social work, criminal justice (law enforcement or corrections).
• Post-Offer, Pre-employment Requirements:
  • Fingerprinting and Security Background Check through the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
  
  

Recruiter Contact Information

• Name: Janessa Schuetz
• Phone: 785-289-6861
• Email: janessa.schuetz@ks.gov

Job Application Process

• First Sign in or register as a New User.
• Complete or update your contact information on the Careers> My Contact Information page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Upload required documents listed below for the Careers> My Job Applications page. *This information is included on all your job applications.
• Start your draft job application, upload other required documents, and Submit when it is complete.
  • Manage your draft and submitted applications on the Careers> My Job Applications page.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email – sent to the Preferred email on the My Contact Information page
  • Notifications – view the Careers> My Job Notifications page
  
  

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How to Apply for a Job – Instructions” and “How to Search for a Job – Instructions"

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete

Upload these on the Careers - My Job Applications page

• Tax Clearance Certificate
• Transcripts
• DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)

Upload these on the Attachments step in your Job Application

• Cover Letter
• Resume

Helpful Resources at jobs.ks.gov: “How, What, & Where do I Upload Documents” and “Save Tax Clearance Certificate as a PDF”

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate Required: Each applicant (even non-residents) applying for a State of Kansas job vacancy must obtain a valid Kansas Certificate of Tax Clearance by accessing the Kansas Department of Revenue's website. A Tax Clearance is a comprehensive tax account review to determine and ensure that an individual's account is compliant with all primary Kansas Tax Laws. A Tax Clearance expires every 90 days. All applicants, including current state employees, are responsible for submitting a valid certificate with all other application materials to the hiring agency. This is in accordance with Executive Order 2004-03. If you need assistance with the tax clearance, please contact 785-296-3199.

Visit the Tax Clearance site for more information on and where to obtain this Kansas Department of Revenue document.

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.