CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60072123

State of Florida • Venice, FL

29d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families is hiring a Child Protective Investigator in Sarasota, Florida. This demanding role involves responding to reports and investigating child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions. Investigators gather information, assess child safety, coordinate emergency placements and notifications, and connect families with services. The role requires detailed decision-making in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment and is designated as an essential position. Investigators may be required to work during emergencies or natural disasters, before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days, and may encounter hazardous field conditions.

The position requires a high school diploma or GED plus four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or 60 or more college credit hours plus two years of qualifying professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service; or a bachelor's degree. A bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field is preferred. Candidates must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator certification within 12 months after provisional certification and maintain it as a condition of employment. A valid driver's license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities are required. Candidates must attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, or evening hours.

The position requires night, weekend, and holiday work. Physical requirements include traversing varied terrain and stairs, assisting with evacuations and clients, repetitive movements, bending and other physical movements, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, extended sitting or standing, occasional 16-hour shifts, remaining alert while on duty, and driving a car or passenger van during both daytime and nighttime hours.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service, honorably discharged or with current service reflecting honorable service; OR an associate degree or 60 or more credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of qualifying 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 earned credits for diploma or degree requirements; provide proof of conferred degree within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.
• 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.
• Valid driver's license.
• Operational private vehicle for daily work activities; provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays and during emergency situations or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.
• Ability to perform the listed physical agility tasks, including varied-terrain mobility, assisting with evacuations and clients, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, occasional 16-hour shifts, and driving a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Complete the Candidate Profile application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods and explanations of employment gaps.
• Successfully complete required state and national background screening and a drug test as conditions of employment.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet the stated Selective Service registration or exemption requirements.
• Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required, with enrollment within the first 30 calendar days of appointment.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field.
• Language proficiency may be considered based on agency needs.
• May require successful completion of a pre-interview assessment or work sample.

Responsibilities

• Investigate child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions.
• Gather 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 children who cannot safely remain at home.
• Notify the state attorney, law enforcement, and child protection teams.
• Connect families with agency and community resources.
• Conduct initial and ongoing child-present and impending-danger assessments.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and state and federal requirements.

Benefits

• The State provides a competitive employee benefits package; details are available at www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
• Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with using a private vehicle for work.
• Professional development and training opportunities, with opportunities for advancement.
• Veterans' Preference for eligible candidates applying to Career Service vacancies.

What This Job Offers

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