Senior Adult Protective Investigator - 60073230

Senior Adult Protective Investigator

This is professional work protecting vulnerable adults and conducting investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. This position will assume a mentor role and be a model of adult protective service practice to other Adult Protective Investigators (APIs).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self-neglect of vulnerable adults;
• Collects information through observation and interviews with the vulnerable adults, relatives, and other parties associated with the case, as well as analysis of criminal, past service history and other records;
• Conducts interviews with subjects and collaterals of the reports and collect evidentiary information through observations and materials.
• Assesses the mental capacity of the vulnerable adult, danger threats, vulnerabilities and caregiver capacities to determine whether a vulnerable adult is safe or not safe;
• Maintains thorough documentation in the appropriate database information system(s)
• Identifies the service needs of the vulnerable adult and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered protective services;
• Accurately prepares investigative reports and petitions for court proceedings
• Evaluates evidence from investigations and prepares reports of findings;
• Responsible for mentoring adult protective investigators and serves as a mentor for new Adult Protective Investigators during their probationary period.
• Serves as the Acting Unit Supervisor when the Adult Protective Investigations Supervisor is unavailable or on extended leave.
• Liaises with the APS Program Office regarding unit training needs, staffing issues and heightened mentoring/coaching requirements for new adult protective investigators.
• Works closely with law enforcement and partner agencies such as the Department of Elder Affairs;
  Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Agency for Health Care Administration;
• Assists victims with temporary emergency shelter placement and other emergency services.
• Notifies state attorney, law enforcement, state agencies and other required individuals as appropriate;
• Provides vulnerable adults with service linkages to agency and community resources;
• Provides expert testimony and documentation in matters relating to abuse, neglect, abandonment and exploitation when judicial action is necessary.
• Reports suspicion of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect to the Florida Abuse Hotline;
• Establishes and maintains working relationships with organizations involved with adult protective investigations such as community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources.
• Performs duties as assigned in the evenings, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

Minimum Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas:
  Florida Abuse Hotline, APD, law enforcement investigations, licensed health care, children and family services, child support enforcement, economic self-sufficiency services or mental health.
• Some specific college education degrees can substitute for experience.
• Preference will be given to applicants with twenty-four months or greater experience.
• No formal discipline actions in the past 24 months

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• This work requires a high degree of tact, patience, and courtesy dealing with vulnerable adults.
• Incumbents in this class must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls.
• The work requires independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments.
• Typing and good time management skills are necessary for this job.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and practices
• Experience in emergency, tactical or customer/public complaint interactions utilizing communication technology, including basic computer, and typing skills.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques
• Knowledge of family dynamics and functioning
• Knowledge of Chapter 415, Florida Statutes, Adult Protective Services Act and the Department of Children and Families, Adult Protective Investigations and Services Policy and Procedures.
• Skill in researching and utilization of internet sites to gather information.
• Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery.
• Ability to write professional, accurate investigative reports.
• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to collect and synthesize evidentiary materials.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize computer systems and work in a paperless…