CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60074066

State of Florida • INVERNESS, FL

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families is hiring a Child Protective Investigator in Inverness, Florida. This demanding, fast-paced role investigates suspected child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions, with the goal of protecting children and supporting family safety. Investigators gather information through observation and interviews, assess safety and danger, arrange emergency placements when children cannot safely remain at home, coordinate with legal and law-enforcement partners, and connect families with agency and community services. The position is in Career Service and is designated as essential. It requires night, weekend, and holiday work, and employees may be called to work during emergencies or natural disasters, including beyond normal work hours or days. Field work may involve hazardous conditions.

The successful candidate must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after receiving provisional certification and maintain certification as a condition of employment. A valid driver's license and an operational private vehicle are required for daily work activities. The department provides a vehicle insurance allowance. The role also requires attendance at an 8–12-week mandatory training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, or evening hours.

Requirements

• Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: a high school diploma or GED and four years of law-enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours and two years of professional work experience, law-enforcement experience, or active military service; or a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
• Provide an official registrar letter or unofficial transcripts showing anticipated graduation dates and credits earned for diploma or degree requirements; proof of a conferred degree must be provided within 30 days of hire.
• Obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification and maintain certification as a condition of employment.
• Hold a valid driver's license.
• Possess an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire.
• Attend an 8–12-week mandatory training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays, and during emergencies or natural disasters, potentially before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.
• Demonstrate skills and abilities in following policy and procedures; managing time; assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, documenting, engaging, and teaming; taking appropriate actions related to domestic violence, mental health, and/or substance abuse; establishing effective relationships with colleagues; and professional competencies.
• Be physically able to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with emergency evacuations; have normal vision and hearing, including with corrective devices; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, turn, 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 16-hour shifts on occasion; remain alert while on duty; and drive a car or passenger van to transport clients during daytime and nighttime hours.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field is preferred.
• Language proficiency may be considered in selection based on agency needs.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions involving children.
• Collect information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives, and neighbors.
• Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities, and caregiver protective capacities to determine whether a child is safe.
• Arrange emergency placement for a child who cannot safely remain in their home.
• Notify the state attorney, law enforcement, and child protection teams.
• Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources.
• Conduct initial and ongoing child present and impending danger assessments.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

Benefits

• Vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs related to using a private vehicle for work.
• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; details are available through the state's benefits website.
• Training, advancement, and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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