CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR SUPV-SES - 60075130

State of Florida • Sebring, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This is advanced professional work supervising and directing Child Protective Investigators and support staff. The primary duty is to spend the majority of the time communicating with, motivating, training, and evaluating employees. The supervisor oversees child protective investigations involving alleged abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation, and ensures that casework and operations meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

The position is based in Bradenton, Florida, and is internal-agency only. It is designated as essential and requires night, weekend, and holiday work. Employees may need to work before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days during emergencies or natural disasters, and may be exposed to hazardous conditions in the field. The role requires use of an operational private vehicle for daily work activities; the department provides a vehicle insurance allowance.

The role requires the physical ability to navigate varied terrain and stairs, assist with evacuations and clients, perform repetitive movements, bend, kneel, lift and carry up to 30 pounds, walk extended distances, sit or stand for periods without a break, remain alert, work occasional 16-hour shifts, and drive a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours. Candidates must successfully complete required state and national background screening.

Requirements

• Meet one of the posting's three qualification pathways: (1) high school diploma or GED, four years of law-enforcement experience or qualifying active military service, and the additional common requirements; (2) a master's degree or 60+ college credit hours, plus two years of qualifying professional work experience or two years of law-enforcement experience or qualifying active military service, and the additional common requirements; or (3) a conferred bachelor's degree and the additional common requirements.
• At least two years of child welfare experience; experience in Child Protective Investigations is preferred.
• Current, active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
• Valid driver's license.
• Possess an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage.
• Knowledge of child protection, counseling, social work, investigations, assessments, professional ethics, physical and behavioral indicators of abuse and neglect, management, court procedures, legal requirements, data analysis, supervision, family-centered interviewing, and investigative and observation techniques.
• Skills in observing investigator interactions, considering child development in placement decisions, and using computer systems.
• Ability to recognize abuse and neglect indicators; conduct risk and safety investigations; listen actively; maintain case files; write investigative reports; develop and implement case plans; assess investigator performance and develop improvement plans; evaluate service programs and identify resources or adjustments; plan and coordinate assignments; communicate effectively; build working relationships; supervise staff; apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; understand group dynamics; and conduct case staffings and meetings.
• Physical ability to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with emergency evacuations and clients; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift, and walk extended distances; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles, and safety equipment; sit or stand for periods without a break; work occasional 16-hour shifts; remain alert; and drive a car or passenger van during day and nighttime hours.
• Complete the Candidate Profile application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, explanations for employment gaps, and verifiable experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Do not use “See Resume” in place of work history.
• Successfully complete state and national criminal-history background screening, including required fingerprint-based checks.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States is required.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet the stated Selective Service registration or exemption requirement.
• Enroll in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program within the first 30 calendar days of appointment.
• Employees are subject to reasonable-suspicion drug testing.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field.
• Child Protective Investigations experience.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, plan, and direct subordinate staff workloads, workflows, deadlines, objectives, and time utilization in child protection investigations.
• Develop performance standards and job duty expectations with investigators and review plans for continuous improvement.
• Regularly communicate performance expectations, coach investigators, recognize strong performance, and provide improvement suggestions.
• Evaluate employees against established standards and take corrective action when necessary.
• Promote investigators' career development by ensuring appropriate training and leading cross-training on investigative skills.
• Review casework, assessments, and safety plans; provide consultation and direction to ensure appropriateness, clarity, quality, thoroughness, and documentation.
• Use information-system management tools to monitor open cases and workflow, maintain progress toward required timelines, and prevent backlogs.
• Ensure investigative operations comply with legislative authority and applicable federal and state rules and regulations.
• Identify and implement changes to improve program effectiveness and efficiency.
• Facilitate and participate in hiring, promotion, demotion, discipline, and dismissal of employees.
• Collect, analyze, and report data regarding child protective investigations.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, Children's Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community or agency resources.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504, and manage service records and report data, resources, and training needs to the designated program point of contact.
• Conduct thorough case staffings and other meetings and provide direction on cases.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• Vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs for use of a private vehicle for work.
• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; the posting directs applicants to the state's benefits website for details.
• Department opportunities and training for advancement and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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