Special Investigator

Date Posted: Oct 22, 2024

Requisition ID: 451267

Location:

Evansville, IN, US, 47713

Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a diverse range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.

At the State of Indiana, we don’t just talk about diversity and inclusion—we make it our goal to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace with a workforce that is representative of Indiana's population. As a proud equal opportunity employer, reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role.

About the Department of Child Services:

Join a team that engages with families and children to improve lives in meaningful and significant ways. DCS engages authentically with children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. The Department also administers family preservation and prevention services, foster care, and child support throughout the State of Indiana. You will relentlessly pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, adoption or support youth in making a successful transition to adulthood. While this job is difficult and may have long and sometimes unconventional hours, this is more than a job—it is a calling to improve your community and neighbors. Will you join us in supporting our Mission, Vision, and Values?

Mission :   The Indiana Department of Child Services leads the state’s response to allegations of child abuse and neglect and facilitates child support payments. We consider the needs and values of all we serve in our efforts to protect children while keeping families together whenever possible.

Vision: Children will live in safe, healthy and supportive families and communities.

Values: We at the Indiana Department of Child Services empower our team, in collaboration with state and local partners, to make decisions in the best interest of every child in our care by embracing:

• Child safety

• Permanency

• Collaborative partnerships with foster and adoptive families

• Diversity, equity, and inclusion

• A culture of safety and transparency

• Continuous improvement

  Role Overview:

  The Child Abuse and Neglect Special Investigator works in a County Office of the Department of Child Services (DCS) and will support Family Case Managers and FCM Supervisors as a consultant/mentor on forensic interview skills and techniques. The Investigator is responsible for developing/maintaining communication and working relationships within and outside the agency, particularly with professionals associated with law enforcement investigations. The position will provide expert consultation to Family Case Managers, FCM Supervisors and the community on complex issues associated with forensic child abuse and neglect investigations; as well as serve as a liaison to the community in a variety of settings (trainings, work groups, child protection team meetings, etc.).

  Salary Statement:

  The salary for this position traditionally starts at $59,800.00 but may be commensurate with education or work experience.

What You'll Do:

The essential functions of this roles are as follows:

• Conduct investigations of difficult child abuse and neglect cases with FCMs, as required by management. Has on-call responsibilities when serious injury/endangerment situations occur after regular work hours.

• Serve as a consultant and mentor to FCMs and FCM Supervisors on forensic interview skills and techniques.

• Develop and maintains communication and working relationships within and outside the agency, particularly with professionals associated with law enforcement investigations. Demonstrates DCS' mission, vision, and values in all aspects of these working relationships.

• Provide expert consultation to FCMs and FCM Supervisors and the community on complex issues associated with forensic child abuse and neglect investigations.

• Conducts in-depth interviews, in accordance with DCS practice, to accurately obtain information to assist in determining the immediate or long-term risk of abuse or neglect.

• Model advanced interviewing techniques for other DCS staff.

• Serve as a mentor to FCMs in regards to advanced interviewing techniques.

• Provide recommendations of agency intervention based on a comprehensive and collaborative assessment of child safety, risk and needs, as well as family dynamics and functioning.

• Prepare and provides sufficient case documentation (including forms and narratives) to provide a complete and accurate record on cases, including legal documentation or testifying in court for all necessary court cases.

• Review cases identified by FCMs or FCM Supervisors for specific risk factors or assistance with forensic investigation techniques to assure a thorough evaluation of the abuse and/or neglect allegations.

• Determine risk of harm to children within the context of child welfare best practices.

• Analyze reports and produces comprehensive documents regarding findings.

• Serve as a liaison to the community in a variety of settings (trainings, work groups, child protection team meetings, etc.).

• Attend training and participates in professional development as required by the agency and/or your supervisor

• Maintain fidelity to the DCS Practice Model and DCS' Mission, Vision, Values in daily work.

• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisor and/or local office director.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Law enforcement experience, other Law Enforcement Agent experience, or Military Criminal Investigation experience.

• Required: 10 years of experience as a law enforcment officer.

• Preferred: Bachelor degree from an accredited college or university.

• Preferred: 2 years' experience as a detective investigating and working with multi-disciplinary teams on the investigation of child abuse and neglect or other crimes against persons.

• Ability to prepare clear and accurate reports.

• Ability to communicate articulately for court testimony.

• Knowledge of State and local government, and the ability to work with State and local elected officials.

• Attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

• Excellent research and writing skills.

• Strong problem solving, oral and written communication and conflict resolution skills.

• Strong organization and time management skills.

• Able to analyze complex situations.

• Able to see the "big picture" and to collaborate with community organizations and other DCS stakeholders.

• Able to maintain effective working relationships with other members of DCS and other stakeholders.

• Knowledge of Indiana criminal and civil law relating to abuse and neglect of children.

• Knowledge of forensic interviewing techniques.

• Knowledge of community resources, particularly within the law enforcement community, and their use for addressing child abuse and neglect problems.

• Skill in applying crisis intervention techniques.

• This is a testing designated position.

  Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

  The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans

• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards

• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution

• Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities

• Deferred compensation 457B account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match

• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options

• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:

• 150 hours of paid new parent leave

• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave

• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off

• 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years

• Education Reimbursement Program

• Group life insurance

• Referral Bonus program

• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits

• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Free Parking for most positions

• Free LinkedIn Learning access

  Equal Employment Opportunity:

  The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunity to all people in all aspects of employer-employee relations without discrimination because of race, color, creed, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical or mental disability, or veteran status. We will comply with the spirit as well as the letter of all applicable state and federal laws.

  If you are a qualified individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at [email protected] .

  The State of Indiana has established a culture that welcomes equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all employees and applicants. We encourage you to apply if you feel you have the transferrable skills to be successful in this position and we look forward to reviewing your application.

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