Children's Services/ICW - CPS Investigator

Job description

The Puyallup Tribe of Indians is committed to protecting and exercising the inherent inalienable sovereign rights of the Tribe and Individuals in the interest of the Medicine Creek Treat Territories, as stewards to ensure preservation of our cultural and environmental integrity for common good and prosperity for all. Open: July 17, 2026 Close: When filled Job Title: CPS Investigator Department: PTCS/ICW Reports To: CPs Supervisor/Intake Hours: 40 Hrs/Wk – Full Time Salary: Based on Salary Matrix+Benefits Requisition: 797 *Salaries are market competitive. For accurate salary information, call (253)573-7863 or email . The Puyallup Tribe of Indians provides a generous benefits package that includes employer paid medical, dental, vision, life insurance, a retirement/401(k) plan with profit sharing, paid holidays, and paid time off including birthday leave. Position Summary: Responsible for conducting investigations of cases involving allegations of abuse and neglect of Indian Children within the Puyallup Tribal Jurisdiction as mandated by the Child and Family Protection Code of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Initiates life-changing decisions based solely on the best interest of the children. Essential Duties and Responsibilities 1. Works collaboratively with assigned Caseworker and families in developing initial case plans. 2. Takes reports of child abuse/neglect allegations and conducts a thorough investigation and makes a determination regarding the nature of the allegations. 3. Create intake, case notes, and document all pertinent information. 4. Promptly follows up with supervisor and initiates appropriate actions if requested. 5. Consistently provide active efforts throughout the investigation to safely maintain children in their family home. 6. Partners with DCYF when outside of Puyallup reservation boundaries or other tribal workers to complete investigations of child neglect/abuse. 7. Completes safety assessments, which may result in a safety plan, an out-of-home placement, or filing a dependency petition. 8. Develops safety plan in collaboration with families when appropriate. Monitors the progress of parents involved and makes referrals to service providers as identified in safety plan. 9. Facilitates out of home placement when necessary in collaboration with Law Enforcement and/or the Court. Determines placement resources and alternatives for children in accordance to the Child and Family Protection Code. 10. Prepares detailed, comprehensive and fact-based affidavits and testimony to court in accordance to the Child and Family Protection Code. Attends predetermined and emergency court proceedings. Stays informed of all court proceedings. 11. Adhere to all of the Child and Family Protection Code timeframes which includes all court required filings. 12. Conducts CPS investigations in PTCS Licensed home in conjunction with Licensing Division (LD) and Child Placing Agency Program Manager, on allegations against Foster parents and provides thorough and complete findings of referral to all parties (i.e. Director, CW, DCYF, LD, etc.) 13. Required to promptly respond to after-hours CPS situations as needed. 14. Interview referrers and document information received, including asking clarifying questions, obtaining details and assessing the information provided. 15. Will make appropriate collateral contacts when conducting investigations in reported cases of child abuse/neglect. 16. Maintains up to date case records of the CPS investigation; includes but not limited to case notes, court documents, collateral contacts, face to face interviews, school and health records, police reports, all CPS history available and any financial records collected. 17. Prepares and presents various case summaries for team, supervisor and the Puyallup Tribe Indian Child Welfare Act Committee when needed and applicable. 18. Maintains and ensures extreme level of confidentiality and appropriate professional boundaries regarding client. 19. Prioritize workload based on client needs. 20. Transport clients to and from appointments as needed. 21. Completes all appropriate background clearances prior to placing a child in a home. 22. Ability to adapt and be flexible to constant changes in Tribal and State Children’s Services systems. 23. Adheres to the Child and Family Protection Code; Duty to Report Child Abuse and Neglect. 24. Participates in departmental staff meetings and trainings. 25. Will continuously engage in professional development including but not limited to, cross training throughout the department and keeping up with the latest trends and best practices of child welfare service delivery. 26. Participate in departmental community outreach. 27. Performs other duties as assigned. Supervisory Responsibilities This position has no supervisory responsibilities. Qualifications and Requirements To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Bachelor’s degree (B.A. in a related field or a B.S.W.) from a four-year college or university and two years of experience in CPS investigations or direct social service experience required. Working with Native American children and their families is preferred. Experience interviewing children and families is preferred. Intermediate word processing skills (Microsoft Word) is required. Knowledge and experience using spreadsheet applications (Microsoft Excel) is preferred. Internship hours completed in a social work setting may count as experience. Note: Part-time work is prorated in crediting experience (e.g., if you work 20 hours per week for a 12-month period you will be credited with 6 months of experience). Language Skills Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Reasoning Ability Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables. Licenses or Certificates Must have and maintain a valid and unrestricted Washington State driver’s license and proof of insurance. Must have and maintain a current First Aid and CPR certification and HIV/AIDS training certificate. Must pass Washington State DSHS criminal history and CPS background inquiry every two years unless otherwise indicated. Willing to attend training for professional development. Other Skills and Abilities Must pass tuberculosis test. Must be available on nights and weekends. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • Requires the ability to operate a typewriter, personal computer, multi-line telephone, calculator, facsimile and photocopier. • Requires the ability to read, write, communicate, and interpret information accurately in English. • Requires the ability to concentrate and consistently produce accurate work. • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; talk or hear; use hands to finger, handle or feel and taste or smell. • The employee is frequently required to climb or balance. • The employee is occasionally required to sit and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. • The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. • The noise level is low to moderate. • The physical exertion is low to moderate. • Work is performed in an office setting with regular local travel. • There are frequent employee contacts and interruptions during the day. • Position may be stressful at times due to the sensitive or confidential issues being addressed. • Employee is required to be able to work a flexible schedule which may include weekends, evenings or holidays if needed to respond to a crisis. • Requires occasional travel using employee’s personal transportation. The Puyallup Tribe of Indians reserves the right to revise or change job duties and responsibilities as the need arises. This position description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment. Indian Preference Employer as Required by Law Online Application Tips: 1. If you are using a PC, use Chrome. If you are using a MAC, use Safari. 2. Upload additional documents (resume, cover letter, letters of recommendation, proof of Indian blood, etc.) to the resume tab as one (1) PDF file or email documents to and we can add them to your online application. Please send in copies of any degrees or certificates that you have been awarded. 3. Indian Hiring Preference – send in the appropriate documentation for the category you select. If you have any questions about the hiring preference policy or what document to send in, email us at or call (253) 573-7863. 4. Provide 3+ references (we cannot obtain references from direct family members – mother, father, grandparents, sisters, brothers, or children and this includes in laws). One reference must be your most recent supervisor. We prefer the rest of your references to include co-workers, subordinates, or other supervisors, but we can accept a personal reference from someone who is familiar with your work ethic, habits, and attendance. You can send in letters of recommendation to 5. To add more employment, education, references, etc., click on the small + sign at the top right corner of the page. 6. When entering salaries, only use numbers. Do not use any other characters (such as , . or $) 7. After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation. If you do not receive an email, please call the office to confirm submission. *Please do not wear perfumes, colognes, or strong scents to your interview. Some employees are allergic. If you have any questions about the positions or the online application, please call (253) 573-7863 or email . 3009 E. Portland Ave., Tacoma, WA 98404 Native American preference applies and job placements are given on a competitive basis, using job related factors. Because of the large number of applications received and limited job positions, your application will not guarantee employment.