Child Protective Investigator

Child Protective Investigator

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

Location: West Palm Beach, FL, 33401

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.

• Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives, and neighbors.
• Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities, and caregiver protective capacities 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 current service reflecting honorably); or
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (see examples below) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service;
• 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 requiring 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; proof of vehicle registration and insurance required within 30 days of hire; vehicle insurance allowance provided.
• Must attend an 8–12 week mandatory training course (scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours).

• Night, weekend, and holiday work; essential position; may require work before, during, and beyond normal hours including emergencies and natural disasters.
• May be exposed to hazardous conditions in the field.
• Language proficiency may be considered.
• 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.

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; professional competencies.

Physically able to ambulate in varied terrains, enter residences, climb stairs, assist with evacuations, use corrective devices, perform repetitive movements, bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, lift up to 30 pounds, maintain 16‑hour shifts, drive vehicle during day and night, and remain alert while on duty.

State of Florida offers a competitive compensation package, including benefits and professional development opportunities.

Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must register with the Selective Service System before age 26 or provide exemption. Verification conducted prior to hire.

Background screening required: criminal history check (state, national, local) and drug test required; no assignment until screening completed and approved.

Veterans’ preference may apply for eligible candidates; documentation required.

The State of Florida is an EEO employer.