CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60074082

State of Florida • West Palm Beach, FL

40d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families is hiring a Child Protective Investigator in West Palm Beach, Florida. This is an open-competitive Career Service position focused on responding to reports of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions. The role requires compassionate, detailed-oriented, decisive individuals who can work effectively in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment to help protect children and support families.

Investigators assess child safety and danger, arrange emergency placements when children cannot safely remain at home, and connect families with agency and community services. The position is designated essential and requires night, weekend, and holiday work. Employees may be expected to work during emergencies or natural disasters and before, during, or beyond normal work hours. Field work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions.

The role requires a valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities. The Department provides a vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with work use. Employees must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification and maintain certification as a condition of employment. Mandatory training lasts 8–12 weeks and may be scheduled during day, weekend, or evening hours. Occasional shifts of up to 16 hours may be required.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following 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.
• Military service used to meet a qualification must be honorably discharged or reflect current service in good standing.
• 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.
• Hold a valid driver license.
• Have an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire.
• Attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays, and be available for emergency or natural disaster work before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.
• Be physically able to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with evacuations; have normal vision and hearing, with corrective devices if needed; 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; remain alert while on duty; work 16-hour shifts on occasion; and drive a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Complete the application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods and explanations for employment gaps.
• Provide verifiable experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, abilities, and responses to pre-qualifying questions.

Nice To Haves

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

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of 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 in their homes.
• 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.

Benefits

• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; details are available through the state benefits website.
• The Department provides a vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with using a private vehicle for work.
• Employees are encouraged to pursue available advancement and professional development opportunities and training.

What This Job Offers

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