Child Protective Investigator

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

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);
  OR
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience;
  OR two years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably).
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

• Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role
• Family Support Worker
• Group Home Worker
• Teacher / Teacher's Assistant/Aide
• Therapeutic Assistant
• Family Intervention Specialist
• Home Health Aide / CNA
• Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN) or similar profession
• Nursing Facility Assistant
• Paramedic / EMT
• Dispatcher
• Security/Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position
• Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity
• 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 obtaining provisional certification. All investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.
• Valid driver license and a private vehicle for work activities, with proof of registration and insurance within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to attend an 8–12 week mandatory training course scheduled during day, weekend, or evening hours.

• Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs.
• 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 related field preferred.

• This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work. It has also been designated as an essential position. 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.
• Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field.

Following policy and procedures, managing time, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, documenting, engaging, teaming, taking appropriate actions related to domestic violence, mental health, and/or substance abuse, establishing effective relationships with colleagues, and professional competencies are essential knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Must be physically able and have the ability to perform the following physical agility tasks: ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences or locations,…