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Does anyone know about the earning potential (top pay) for the protective specialist other than what it says on the site/dcas? I'm thinking about switching majors but don't know if it's gonna be worth it in the long run if I choose to engage in this field... Thanks..
I don't work for the agency, but I have friends that do. It has an extremely high turnover rate (burnout), thus it is not a very difficult job to get (make sure you have the degree and/or coursework they require) . Salary is good considering it is social services. You will be in the mid 40s in less than 2 years. Caseloads are much lower than they have been in the past. It can be somewhat dangerous. Getting killled is highly, highly unlikely, but getting cursed at or spat on is very plausible depending on your assignment. One thing many potential employees don't understand is they have several different units within the child protective specialist class. Most start out in the investigation class (the people that visit homes when there is an abuse/neglect phone call), but you can transfer. For instance one of my friends works in the truancy unit and the other deals with families that need intense support. Investigation unit has a lot of mandatory overtime (2 to 3 days a week may have to stay back an extra 3 or 4 hours till investigation is complete). I think (don't quote me on this) they don't get paid for it, instead they get comp time. I would contact their HR/personnel department (212 - 341 - 0902) to learn more if you are truly interested.
I worked for them for over ten years and I'm not proud of this. Ask yourself why they have such high turnover, even in these days when a job is hard to get. Did you know that studies show foster care to be a failure? That kids get more abuse in foster care than in their dysfunctional homes? Well, you will be sending kids off to this hell. Imagine grabbing a three year old (who doesn't know that his mother is a baddie) from his mother's arms. Imagine then he clings to you like you're his new mother and then someone has to peel him off your neck and put him into a room he's never seen with people he doesn't know. Imagine doing this on the order of someone whose intelligence you totally do not respect. Welcome to Child Protective Services.
Last edited by ecsredeye; 06-16-2009 at 10:03 AM..
Reason: typo
Almost 60 grand I average each year (OT included), the jobs is very challenging (I've been doing it for 7 years). it is an job that takes a toll on your; physical, mental, spiritual and emotional states. The difficult for me was not dealing with the crazies because once you get used to dealing with the same nasty people is just a routine and you become desensitized, the real problem and I kid you not. It is the agency's over demanding unrealistic expectations. You are are required to do several things at the same time (literally). The agency runs on the fear that one of your cases becomes a media case so everyone is covering their assess. Sad but true. Management, is always concerned about "their numbers". Despite all of this from time to time a family is ready to change and that is when they only change.....DOES THIS MAKE SENSE TO YOU. HOW DO YOU EXPECT TO CHANGE FAMILIES THAT DO NOT KNOW ANY BETTE BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN ROTTEN FOR GENERATIONS IN A 2 MONTH PERIOD THAT AN INVESTIGATION LASTS. IMPOSSIBLE BUT THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO DO.
I work for a preventative agency that is contracted with ACS to provide services to families who are being investigated. First off CPS NEVER completes the job fully!! There are very few workers who are passionate about their work but most just do the bare minimum and pass it off to preventative. I am looking forward to working for ACS for this very reason. Yes everyone is overwhelmed but we all get a check...so do your damn job and not half ass! When you half ass your job your half assness affects the preventative workers! If u do not like your job requirements quit! child welfare isn't a gracious career and if you can barely complete an investigation a RAP or a FASP completely and thoroughly QUIT! It's other young college educated motivated people who want a shot at your job!
Damn! You sound like you can be working for the CIA, interogating detainees on Guantomino bay, or trainning members of
the secret police of countries that are stil runned by dicators. A study should be done on compairing "some" of the people who work for ACS, to those who worked for The SS in Nazi Concentration camps to see if there are some "similarities"
betweent the two. Alot of people who go into this feild are nice people until they get jadded, like the ones who were recrutied by the SS, or SAVAK , the Shah of Iran's secret police in the 70's before the revolution
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