ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60025166

State of Florida • Miami Beach, FL

1d • Onsite

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 risks. Clients may live in the community or in alternative care facilities. The role prioritizes vulnerable adults’ safety and requires prompt action, compassion, independent judgment, and field work in emergency and non-emergency situations.

Investigators meet vulnerable adults in person within 24 hours of receiving a report to assess safety concerns and mental capacity. When needed, they coordinate emergency services, medical evaluations, temporary placements, and court intervention. They gather information through interviews, observations, and review of criminal histories, prior Adult Protective Services involvement, and other records; coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors; connect clients with agency and community resources; and build working relationships with organizations involved in adult protective investigations.

The position is in the Florida Department of Children and Families’ Career Service and is based in Miami, Florida. It requires night, weekend, and holiday work and may involve work during emergencies or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days. Field assignments may involve hazardous conditions. The role requires a valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for work; a vehicle insurance allowance is provided. A mandatory 6–8-week training course must be attended.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service with honorable discharge or current service reflecting honorable service; or an associate degree or 60 or more college credit hours and two years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service with honorable discharge or current service reflecting honorable service; 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 documentation 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.
• Skill in researching and using internet sites to gather information.
• Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery; write professional, accurate investigative reports; conduct fact-finding interviews; understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; and collect and synthesize evidentiary materials.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; actively listen; communicate effectively; establish and maintain effective working relationships; and use computer systems in a paperless environment.
• Ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor, demonstrate tact, patience, and courtesy, and exercise independent judgment and initiative in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Typing and good time-management skills.
• Physical ability to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with evacuation; hear and see accurately, with corrective devices if needed; perform repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck, and head; drive and assist clients 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.
• 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 based on agency needs at the time of selection.
• A pre-interview assessment or work sample may be required to be eligible for interview.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation involving vulnerable adults, and work to prevent recurrence.
• Prioritize client safety and meet with the vulnerable adult in person within 24 hours of receiving a report to assess safety concerns and mental capacity.
• Coordinate emergency services, including medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention when needed.
• Gather critical case information through interviews, observations, and analysis of criminal history, prior APS involvement, and records.
• Coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to support justice for vulnerable adults.
• Connect vulnerable adults with agency and community resources and services.
• Build relationships with community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, and other community resources.
• Perform field assignments and job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with insurance costs related to using a private vehicle for work.
• Career Ladder program offering targeted courses and, after one year of successful employment, eligibility to participate and receive a salary increase upon completion.
• Employee benefits are available as part of the State of Florida total compensation package; details are provided through the state benefits website.

What This Job Offers

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