ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60025195

State of Florida • Madison, FL

3d

About The Position

The Adult Protective Investigator investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults, and works to mitigate related risk factors. Clients may live in the community or in alternative care facilities. The position prioritizes the vulnerable adult’s safety and involves responding quickly to people in crisis while supporting their safety and independence.

Investigators meet with vulnerable adults in person within 24 hours of receiving a report to assess safety concerns and mental capacity. When necessary, they coordinate emergency services such as medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention. They investigate allegations, gather and analyze information, coordinate with partner agencies and law enforcement, and connect clients with agency and community resources.

This is a Career Service position with the Florida Department of Children and Families, serving vacancies in Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Hamilton, Lafayette, and Madison Counties. The position is designated essential and may involve night, weekend, holiday, emergency, and natural-disaster work, including hours beyond normal work hours or days. Fieldwork may expose employees to hazardous conditions. A mandatory 6–8-week training course is required.

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.
• Valid driver license.
• Operational private vehicle for daily work activities; provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of employment.
• Ability to attend a mandatory 6–8-week training course.
• Experience in emergency, tactical, or customer/public complaint interactions using communication technology, including basic computer and typing skills.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques, and family dynamics and functioning.
• Ability to research and use internet sites to gather information; assess service needs and facilitate service delivery; write professional, accurate investigative reports; conduct fact-finding interviews; understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; collect and synthesize evidence; plan, organize, and coordinate assignments; actively listen, communicate effectively, and maintain effective working relationships; and use computer systems in a paperless environment.
• Ability to exercise tact, patience, and courtesy with vulnerable adults and maintain a calm, professional demeanor when handling emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Ability to use independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments; typing and time-management skills.
• Physical ability to walk over varied terrain and use stairs; assist with evacuations; hear and see clearly, with corrective devices if needed; perform repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck, and head; drive to perform job duties and transport clients, including assisting them in and out of properties and vehicles; sit or stand for up to two hours without a break; and remain alert while on duty.
• Successful completion of required state and national criminal-history screening and other applicable background screening.
• Candidate application must be completed in its entirety, including verifiable employment, education, training, skills, and responses to pre-qualifying questions; employment gaps must be explained.
• Eligible male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet the stated Selective Service registration or exemption requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Language proficiency may be considered in selection based on agency needs.
• Experience in roles such as Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate, family support worker, group home worker, teacher’s assistant or aide, daycare provider or worker, therapeutic assistant, behavioral health technician, family intervention specialist, home health aide, nurse, nursing facility assistant, EMT, or other welfare, education, or medical work in high-paced, high-stress environments requiring critical decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Prioritize the safety of vulnerable adults and meet with them in person within 24 hours of receiving a report to assess safety concerns and mental capacity.
• Coordinate emergency services when needed, including medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention when a person cannot make decisions for themselves.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and work to prevent recurrence.
• Gather information through interviews, observations, and analysis of criminal history, prior Adult Protective Services involvement, and records discovered during investigations.
• Coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to support justice for vulnerable adults.
• Connect vulnerable adults with agency and community resources and services to improve their quality of life and address their needs.
• Build relationships with community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, and other organizations involved in adult protective investigations.
• Perform field assignments independently and complete professional, accurate investigative reports.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• The State provides a vehicle insurance allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage when a private vehicle is used for work.
• Career Ladder program offering targeted courses in Adult Protective Services and professional development, with eligibility after one year of successful employment and a salary increase upon completion.
• State employee benefits and total compensation package; specific benefits are available through the State benefits website.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level