ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60024657

State of Florida

1d • Onsite

About The Position

This professional position investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation against vulnerable adults and the mitigation of the risk factors involved. Clients served include those residing in the community and alternative care facilities. Vulnerable adults 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 adults who cannot protect themselves and fight to help ensure their safety and independence. At the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), we believe in investing in our highly skilled workforce. Through our Career Ladder program, you will have the opportunity to increase your salary by completing a series of targeted courses designed to enhance your knowledge and expertise in Adult Protective Services and professional development. After one year of successful employment, you will be eligible to participate and upon completion, receive a salary increase. With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Our jobs are among the most challenging, complex, and difficult in State government. They are also among the most rewarding. All employees are encouraged to take advantage of available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Requirements

• 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)
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (e.g., Guardian Ad Litem, Family Support Worker, Group Home Worker, Teacher's Assistant/Aide, Daycare Provider/Worker, Therapeutic Assistant, Behavioral Health Technician, Family Intervention Specialist, Home Health Aide, Nurse (LPN or RN), Nursing Facility Assistant, EMT, or other welfare, education or medical professional jobs that occur in high-paced, high-stress environments that require critical decision-making) 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
• An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all diploma/degree requirements.
• Proof of conferred degree such as official transcripts or copy of diploma/degree must be provided within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.
• Valid Driver License
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities.
• Required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of employment as a condition of employment.
• Ability to attend a 6-8-week mandatory training course.
• 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
• 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 environment
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments.
• Typing and good time management skills are necessary.
• Ability to ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells
• Ability to assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation
• Ability to hear and see accurately and clearly (with the assistance of corrective devices, if needed)
• Ability to do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck, and head
• Ability to drive a vehicle to transport clients including assisting clients in and out of properties and vehicles
• Ability to sit and/or stand for periods of time (up to 2 hours) without a break
• Ability to remain alert while on duty (awake, ready to perform job tasks, and responsive to clients and Department personnel, etc.)
• Ability to drive a vehicle to perform job duties
• Successful completion of a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must be registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.
• Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection.

Responsibilities

• Be part of a team dedicated to protecting Florida’s vulnerable adults by meeting Florida’s nationally leading standards for Adult Protective Services’ investigations and protections for vulnerable adults.
• Your first priority will be the vulnerable adult’s safety.
• To assess safety concerns and mental capacity, you will meet with the vulnerable adult in person within 24 hours of receiving a report.
• When necessary, you will coordinate emergency services including medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention when the person cannot make decisions for themselves.
• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and work to prevent it from reoccurring.
• Gather critical information about vulnerable adults and others involved in the case through interviews, observations, and analysis of criminal history, prior APS involvement, and records uncovered during the investigations.
• Coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to provide justice for vulnerable adults.
• Connect vulnerable adults with agency and community resources to wrap around services needed to improve their quality of life and often saving them from the worst outcomes.
• Build relationships with organizations involved with adult protective investigations such as community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, and other community resources.

Benefits

• The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.
• Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of private vehicle for work purposes.
• Career Ladder program: opportunity to increase salary by completing targeted courses designed to enhance knowledge and expertise in Adult Protective Services and professional development, eligible after one year of successful employment.

What This Job Offers

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