17 CPS Investigator Interview Questions and Answers

As a CPS investigator, you play a vital role in keeping children safe from abuse and neglect. You also help families get the services they need to care for their children.

Before you can start your new job, you’ll need to go through a job interview. You may be asked some general questions about your qualifications and experience. But you’ll also be asked some specific CPS investigator interview questions about your knowledge of the job and your ability to handle difficult situations.

To help you prepare for your interview, we’ve put together a list of sample CPS investigator interview questions and answers.

Are you comfortable working with people who are in a state of emotional distress?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to work with people who are experiencing a crisis. They want to know that you can handle emotionally challenging situations and remain calm, compassionate and professional. In your answer, try to show the interviewer that you have experience working with people in distress and how you helped them feel more comfortable or resolved their problems.

Example: “Yes, I am very comfortable working with people who are distressed. Throughout my career as a CPS investigator, I’ve worked with many families who were going through difficult times. I always make sure to listen carefully to what they’re saying and respond compassionately. When appropriate, I also offer advice on resources they can use to help resolve their situation.”

What are some of the most important skills for a CPS investigator to have?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have the skills necessary to succeed in this role. When answering, it can be helpful to mention a few of your strongest skills and how they relate to working as a CPS investigator.

Example: “I believe that empathy is one of the most important skills for a CPS investigator to have because we are often speaking with parents who are going through difficult situations. I also think strong communication skills are essential because we need to be able to clearly relay information to our supervisors and other team members. Finally, I feel that patience is an important skill because some cases take longer than others to investigate.”

How would you handle a situation where a parent refuses to let you speak with their child about an allegation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your interpersonal skills and ability to negotiate. In your answer, try to demonstrate that you can be empathetic while also being firm in your approach.

Example: “I would first explain the importance of speaking with children about allegations of abuse or neglect. I would then tell them that it is my job as a CPS investigator to ensure the safety of their child. If they still refuse to let me speak with their child, I would document the refusal and report it to my supervisor. My supervisor would then work with the family to find an alternative way for me to interview the child.”

What is your process for determining whether a case should be investigated further or closed?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn more about your investigative process and how you make decisions. When answering, it can be helpful to describe a specific case that was closed and the factors that led you to close it.

Example: In my last role as an investigator, I had a case where a child’s parents reported their son missing after he didn’t return home from school. The child’s teacher also reported seeing him leave with his mother that morning but not returning later in the day. After interviewing the family and speaking with the child’s teachers, I determined that the child left school with his mother and there were no signs of neglect or abuse. I closed the case because there wasn’t any evidence of wrongdoing.

Provide an example of a time when you had to gather evidence to prove that a child was being abused or neglected.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your investigative skills and how you use them in the workplace. When answering, it can be helpful to provide an example of a time when you used evidence to prove that a child was being abused or neglected.

Example: “In my last role as a CPS investigator, I had to investigate a case where a mother claimed her son’s bruises were from falling down while playing outside. However, after interviewing the family members and observing the home environment, I noticed that there were no toys in sight and the house was very dirty. This led me to believe that the boy was not getting proper care at home, so I asked for medical records to see if he had ever been treated for his injuries before. Sure enough, the doctor reported that the boy had never been seen for any injuries prior to these new ones. With this information, I knew that the mother was lying about the cause of her son’s bruises.”

If you suspected that a child was being abused by multiple people, how would you approach the investigation?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your investigative skills and how you prioritize cases. In your answer, explain the steps you would take to investigate multiple abusers and provide examples of how you have done so in the past.

Example: “If I suspected that a child was being abused by multiple people, I would first determine who is responsible for the abuse. Then, I would interview each person separately to get their account of what happened. Afterward, I would compare their stories to see if they match up or if there are inconsistencies. If one person’s story differs from another’s, I would follow up with them to find out why. This process helps me gather enough evidence to make an arrest.”

What would you do if you suspected that a child was being abused, but the parents denied it and there was no other evidence to support the claim?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your judgment skills and how you would handle a challenging situation. In your answer, explain that you would try to remain objective and use all of the evidence available to make an informed decision about whether or not abuse is occurring.

Example: “If I suspected child abuse but the parents denied it, I would first look for any other signs of abuse such as bruises, broken bones or other injuries. If there were no other indicators of abuse, I would speak with the parents again and ask them more questions about their parenting style and what they do when disciplining their children. I would also talk to the child alone if possible to see if they could provide me with any information.”

How well do you think you can handle the emotional toll of investigating child abuse cases?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your emotional intelligence and ability to handle the stress of working in a high-pressure environment. They want to make sure you have the mental fortitude to work as an investigator, so they might look for answers that show you can stay calm under pressure and maintain empathy toward victims.

Example: “I think I am well-suited to handle the emotional toll of investigating child abuse cases because I have a lot of compassion for children who are suffering. In my previous role, I worked with many families who were going through difficult times, and I learned how to be empathetic while still maintaining professional boundaries. I know it’s important to keep my personal feelings separate from my work, which is why I always strive to treat everyone fairly.”

Do you have any experience working with children who have disabilities or who speak a different language than you do?

This question can help the interviewer determine if you have experience working with children who may need extra attention or support. It can also show them how you adapt to different situations and challenges. In your answer, try to explain what steps you took to ensure that you were able to communicate effectively with these children and their families.

Example: “In my previous role as a CPS investigator, I worked with many bilingual families. When interviewing parents who spoke English as a second language, I always made sure to ask for an interpreter so they could feel comfortable speaking openly about their situation. For children who had special needs, I would make sure to speak slowly and clearly when talking to them and their parents. This helped me build rapport with both parties and get all of the information I needed.”

When is it appropriate to remove a child from their home?

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your knowledge of the Child Protective Services Act. This federal law outlines when a child can be removed from their home and how they should be cared for while in state custody. You can answer this question by explaining what you would do if you encountered a situation that violated the CPSA.

Example: “I understand that it’s important to remove children only as a last resort, so I would try my best to keep them with their parents or guardians. However, there are some situations where removing a child is necessary. For example, if a parent has committed an act of abuse against their child, such as physical or sexual assault, then I would recommend removal. If a parent is neglecting their child, like not providing adequate food or shelter, then I would also support removal.”

We want to ensure that our investigators are able to perform their job even when they’re feeling under the weather. How do you stay healthy so you can work effectively?

Interviewers ask this question to see if you have a plan for staying healthy and productive at work. They want to know that you’re committed to your own health, as well as the health of the children in their care. In your answer, explain how you stay active and eat nutritious meals. Share any tips or advice you have for maintaining good health.

Example: “I make sure I get plenty of sleep every night so I can be alert during my shift. I also try to exercise regularly, which helps me feel energized throughout the day. I find that eating a balanced diet is important too, so I always pack a lunch from home rather than buying food at the cafeteria. This way, I know exactly what I’m putting into my body.”

Describe your process for maintaining professional boundaries with the people you encounter at work.

Interviewers may ask this question to assess your ability to maintain a professional demeanor while working with people who are experiencing challenging situations. In your answer, describe how you use your interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence to interact with others in a way that helps them feel comfortable and safe.

Example: “I understand the importance of maintaining boundaries when I’m at work because it’s essential for me to be able to provide my clients with an unbiased perspective on their situation. To do this, I always make sure to greet everyone I meet with respect and kindness. I also try to avoid making assumptions about anyone based on their appearance or background. This allows me to listen carefully to what they have to say without any preconceived notions.”

What makes you an ideal candidate for a CPS investigator position?

Employers ask this question to learn more about your qualifications for the role. They want someone who is passionate about helping children and families in need. Show them that you have what it takes to be a CPS investigator by highlighting your skills, abilities and experience.

Example: “I am an ideal candidate because I am committed to protecting children from abuse and neglect. In my previous role as a social worker, I helped many families overcome their struggles. I developed strong relationships with parents and guardians, which allowed me to understand their situations better. This ultimately led to positive outcomes for everyone involved.”

Which computer programs and software have you used to complete work related tasks?

Interviewers may ask this question to learn about your computer skills and how you use them in the workplace. They want to know if you have experience using specific programs that they might use at their company, so it’s important to mention any software or programs you’ve used before.

Example: “I’m familiar with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. I also have some experience using Access for database management and Tableau for data visualization. These are all programs I’ve used in my previous role as a CPS investigator.”

What do you think is the most important aspect of being a CPS investigator?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you understand what it means to be a CPS investigator. It also gives them insight into your values and priorities as a professional. When answering this question, consider what skills or qualities are most important for someone in this role.

Example: “I think the most important aspect of being a CPS investigator is having empathy. I know that every case we work on will have a child who has been neglected or abused. Having empathy allows me to put myself in their shoes and see things from their perspective. This helps me make decisions that are best for the child’s well-being.”

How often do you think CPS investigators should update their knowledge and skills?

This question can help interviewers understand your commitment to continuous learning. It’s important for CPS investigators to stay up-to-date on the latest research and best practices in their field, so it’s beneficial if you’re willing to take classes or attend conferences to learn more about child welfare.

Example: “I think it’s essential that we as professionals keep ourselves informed of new developments in our fields. I try to read at least one article a week from Child Welfare Today, which is an online publication with articles written by experts in the field. I also plan to take a class this summer on trauma-informed care because I feel like it would be helpful to know more about how to support children who have experienced abuse.”

There is a lot of paperwork involved in this job. Are you good at multitasking while completing administrative tasks?

This question is an opportunity to show the interviewer that you are organized and detail-oriented. You can talk about a time when you had to complete multiple tasks at once, such as working on paperwork while interviewing witnesses or reviewing case files while in court.

Example: “I am very good at multitasking because I find it helps me get more done during my workday. For example, when I was investigating a child abuse case, I would interview witnesses while waiting for the judge to arrive in court. This allowed me to collect important information from multiple sources before presenting my findings to the judge.”