ABUSE COUNSELOR - 60073881

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Abuse Counselor is a Career Service professional who works as a team member at the Florida Abuse Hotline to protect children and vulnerable adults. The role assesses allegations of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and allegations of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. The employee determines whether the information meets statutory criteria for investigation or referral to an appropriate agency. The position involves telephone assessments and review of electronically received information, research in information systems, report entry, and assignment of cases to appropriate Department of Children and Families county units. It may also include receiving and referring complaints about vendors, licensed facilities, and department employees, and providing supportive assistance and referrals to people in need. The position is designated essential and may require evening, night, and weekend work, as well as work during emergencies and natural disasters. New employees must attend an approximately 4–9-week training course, which may be scheduled during day, evening, or weekend hours.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service, with honorable discharge or current service status reflecting honorable service; OR an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours and two years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service with the stated honorable service status; OR a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and accurately, orally and in writing.
Ability to attend an approximately 4–9-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
Ability to work a schedule that includes evening, night, and weekend hours and to report to work during natural disasters as essential personnel.
Ability to make high-stakes decisions under stress, maintain compassion, work independently while following policies and chain of command, recognize indicators of risk, prioritize and escalate urgent situations, and handle sensitive conversations.
Skills in crisis de-escalation, active listening and interviewing, critical thinking, accurate and neutral documentation, multitasking, and professional communication.
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality in written and verbal communications.
Technological proficiency using personal computers and associated applications, and ability to learn and use new systems.
Provide documentation supporting education and employment qualifications; degree conferral proof must be provided within 30 days of hire when applicable.
Complete the Candidate Profile application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for employment periods and explanations for employment gaps.
U.S. citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.
Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program, completed within the first 30 calendar days of appointment.

Responsibilities

Conduct thorough telephone assessments and analyze electronically received information for indicators of child abuse, neglect, or abandonment and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Research appropriate information systems for prior history to support safety and risk assessments of alleged victims.
Enter reports in the appropriate information system.
Assign cases to appropriate Department of Children and Families county units for investigation.
Receive and refer, as appropriate, complaints against vendors, related licensed facilities, and department employees, including complaints involving human rights violations, inappropriate treatment, or inadequate services.
Provide supportive assistance and referral services to people in need.
Maintain professional respect with field investigative staff, supervisors, and other adult and child protective service professionals in public and private sectors.
Perform other related work as required.
Work during emergency situations or natural disasters as essential personnel, including before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days when required.