DCS INVESTIGATOR 3 - 10232025-72430

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date / Time

10 / 23 / 2025 12 : 00AM Central Time

Closing Date / Time

10 / 29 / 2025 11 : 59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly)

$4,562.00

Salary (Annually)

$54,744.00

Job Type

Full-Time

City, State Location

Murfreesboro, TN

Gallatin, TN

Department

Children's Services

LOCATION OF (2) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED : DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SUMNER COUNTY, RUTHERFORD COUNTY

This position is not available for regular remote work.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience : Education equivalent to graduation from a college or university with a bachelor's degree and experience equivalent to two years of full-time professional experience investigating fraudulent or criminal activity or child abuse and neglect.

Experience for Education Substitution : Military, Law Enforcement, or other professional investigative experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

Necessary Special Qualifications : Applicants for this class must :

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a valid driver's license prior to and during employment.
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Have no conviction for a felony.
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointment authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.

Overview

This classification performs professional investigative work of considerable difficulty and lead investigative work of average difficulty; performs related work as required. An employee in this class performs investigations at DCS field offices, homes, secure institutions, and contracted agencies from an assigned area of the state. This class differs from the DCS Investigator 2

in that this class acts as a lead and handles the most complex cases.

Responsibilities

Serves as a team lead and may serve as a mentor for DCS Investigator 1

and DCS Investigator 2

positions.

Receives verbal and / or written complaints to determine if an inquiry / investigation will be authorized and if DCS policies and procedures have been violated. Identifies pertinent information to assess validity of allegations received. Gathers complete and accurate information. Provides supervisor with status updates as requested or required by policy

Conducts interviews with multiple individuals to obtain information relevant to the allegation. Documents accurate information from an interview in a timely manner per policy.

Identifies and collects evidence / data of relevance. Analyzes evidence to interpret sequence of events, to determine the focus of the investigation, or to develop investigative leads to determine if it supports the allegation.

Prepares reports for court. Appears in court / administrative hearings to testify to findings in cases / investigative summaries.

Uses policy, training, and experience / knowledge in the review of relevant information to determine plan of action or resolution. Develops and maintains relationships with outside groups, law enforcement agencies, court officials and other governmental agencies. Communicates with coordinating agencies, victims, and court system regarding investigative activity.

Provides interpretation of reports / investigative leads to concerned / involved parties.

Addresses unprofessional behaviors and / or actions with clients, service providers, resource parents, etc.

Recognizes and acknowledges the rights of the families while conducting global assessments which may include regular home visits to assess safety of home.

Determines if a policy violation or abuse / neglect has occurred. Identifies the perpetrators, the level of risk or harm, and determines the need for additional steps.

Develops strategies to resolve the concerns and close the investigation within policy timeframe.

Maintains and stores photographic, digital media, audio evidence, and other related documents.

Coordinates work assignments and activities of law enforcement / investigative peers in joint investigations.

Manages assigned work to meet investigative and administrative requirements. Works flexible hours. May be required to work weekends, holidays, overtime, and participate in on-call rotation.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies :

Customer focus,

Planning,

Priority setting,

Organizing,

Ethics and Values,

Conflict management,

Integrity and Trust

Knowledges :

Law & Government,

Personnel & Human Resources,

Public Safety & Security,

Administration & Management

Skills :

Writing,

Critical thinking,

Judgement & Decision making,

Reading comprehension,

Complex problem solving,

Time management

Abilities :

Written comprehension,

Deductive reasoning,

Inductive reasoning,

Mathematical reasoning,

Reaction time

Tools & Equipment

Mobile Phones

State-owned Vehicles

Laptop / Tablet

Audio recorder

Measurement Tools

Copy / Fax Machine

External computer hard drives (thumb-drives, etc.)

Drug-Screen kits

Car Seats