Response Worker (CPS Investigator)

Heartland Consulting

Red Lake Nation, Minnesota. Primary duty station: BIA Red Lake Agency, Red Lake, Minnesota, with field work across the reservation and travel to off-reservation placements, courts, and trainings as required.

About the role

The Response Worker conducts child protection investigations and safety assessments within required priority timeframes. This role interviews children, families, and collateral contacts; recommends findings and protective actions; and leads court work through the Emergency Protective Care (EPC) hearing, with continued testimony and hearing participation as needed.

This position serves in the 24/7 investigative on-call rotation and works staggered shifts within the 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. coverage window. The Response Worker does not carry ongoing case management for any case or family investigated.

The Response Worker conducts assigned investigations independently within required timeframes and may implement an immediate safety plan in the field with prompt notification. This role recommends findings, outcomes, and court action but does not approve final findings, sign petitions or affidavits, or authorize removals.

Contractor personnel are employees of Heartland Consulting, not federal employees. Indian Preference applies.

What you will do

• Start each assigned investigation within standard operating procedure (SOP) priority timeframes: Priority 1 requires face-to-face contact with the child within 2 hours of assignment and a home visit on the same calendar day; Priority 2 requires face-to-face contact and a home visit within 3 calendar days; Priority 3 requires the investigation to start within 7 calendar days.
• Interview the alleged child victim, other children in the home, the non-offending parent or caregiver, and the alleged perpetrator, in that order, followed by collateral contacts. Use developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed techniques and coordinate forensic interviews with law enforcement and the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) to avoid unnecessary repeat interviews of children.
• Complete the safety risk assessment and protective capacities review, identifying imminent and impending danger.
• When a child faces imminent danger, implement an immediate safety plan with the family in the field and notify the BIA Social Services Program Manager immediately. In life-threatening situations, contact law enforcement and follow SOP.
• Purchase needed essentials immediately when a child in an emergency placement lacks items such as clothing, diapers, or a toothbrush.
• Conduct joint investigations with Red Lake tribal law enforcement, the BIA Office of Justice Services, and the FBI, as applicable. Preserve information needed for criminal proceedings without compromising the child protection assessment.
• Draft the investigation summary and a recommended outcome of substantiated, unsubstantiated, or indicated for federal approval within 15 days. Recommend case closure, referral to services, or opening a case.
• When a case opens, coordinate with the assigned Child Welfare Case Worker and prepare a transfer summary once that worker is assigned.
• Lead court work through the EPC hearing, which the Red Lake Nation Tribal Court holds within 72 hours of removal, excluding weekends and federal and tribal holidays. Draft facts for the petition and supporting affidavit.
• Attend later hearings as needed and testify about the investigation until the court rules on the petition. Serve as a fact witness in Red Lake Nation Tribal Court and, where required, federal court.
• Investigate specialized cases involving substance-exposed infants, sexual abuse, serious physical injury, fatalities or near-fatalities, and allegations in foster homes.
• Present cases to the Child Protection Team and Multi-Disciplinary Team.
• Work in pairs on field visits when feasible and follow field safety protocols.
• Serve in the investigative on-call rotation. While on call, receive after-hours reports, document intake information, and present reports for screening and priority decisions.
• Work staggered shifts within the 7:30 a.m.–7:30 p.m. coverage window.

Minimum qualifications

• Associate degree in a related field, such as sociology, psychology, counseling, human services, criminal justice, or another behavioral or social science, from an institution accredited or pre-accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Social work degrees must be from a Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)-accredited program.
• At least two (2) years of CPS investigation or child protection casework experience.
• Experience with joint law enforcement investigations and court testimony.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to complete a Moderate Risk Public Trust background investigation. No work or child contact is permitted until cleared; the typical clearance timeline is approximately 60 days. A favorable investigation under PL 101-630 before entry on duty is preferred.
• Willingness to complete mandatory security training and initial training within 15 calendar days of entry on duty and before independent duty.
• Child passenger safety certification if transporting children.
• Willingness to serve in the 24/7 investigative on-call rotation and work staggered shifts.
• Completion of required cultural orientation on Red Lake Nation history, Ojibwe culture and language, closed-reservation status, and tribal protocols within 15 days.

How to apply

. Send to HR@HeartlandConsulting.com.