Child Protective Investigator

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Requisition No: 864177

Agency:
Children and Families

Working Title:

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Position Number:

Salary: $50,000.08 annually / $1,923.08 bi-weekly

The Position will be used to fill vacancies in OPS and Career Service. Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer.

Children in crisis need quick action from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to ensuring their safety. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to speak for those with no voice and fight to help ensure the safety of those who cannot protect themselves. We are looking for people who are detail‑oriented, possess good decision‑making skills, and can thrive in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment.

When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the life of a child.

• Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through observation and interviews with the children, parents, relatives, and neighbors.
• Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities in order to determine whether a child is safe.
• Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in their home.
• Notify state attorney, law enforcement and child protection teams.
• Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources.
• Conduct initial/ongoing child present and impending danger assessments.
• Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably).
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (examples below) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Examples of professional work experience could include:
  Guardian Ad Litem, Family Support Worker, Group Home Worker, Teacher / Teacher’s Assistant / Aide, Therapeutic Assistant, Family Intervention Specialist, Home Health Aide / CNA, Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN), Nursing Facility Assistant, Paramedic / EMT, Dispatcher, Security/Safety Officer, Emergency Management Deputy/Director, Investigator for a government entity, and other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management or medical professional jobs that occur in high‑paced, high‑stress environments that require critical decision‑making.

• Must obtain a Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after provisional certification. All Investigators must maintain certification.
• Valid Driver License.
• Must possess an operational private vehicle for use in daily work activities. Proof of vehicle registration and insurance coverage must be provided within 30 days of hire. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance.
• Ability to attend an 8‑12 week mandatory training course (day, weekend, or evening).

• Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection.
• May require successful completion of a pre‑interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field is preferred.

• This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work and is designated as an essential position.
• Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field.
• Incumbents are expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters and may be required to work before, during, and beyond normal work hours/days.

Following policy and procedures, managing time, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, documenting, engaging,…