CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60070113

State of Florida • Port Charlotte, FL

29d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families is hiring a Child Protective Investigator in Port Charlotte, Florida. Investigators respond to reports involving children’s abuse, neglect, abandonment, or special conditions, working in a demanding, fast-paced environment to help protect children and support families. The position is designated as essential and may require work during emergencies or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days. Field work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions.

The role requires a high school diploma or GED plus specified relevant experience, an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours plus specified experience, or a bachelor’s degree. Employees must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after provisional certification and maintain it as a condition of employment. A valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities are required. The department provides a vehicle insurance allowance. Mandatory training lasts 8–12 weeks and may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.

Requirements

• Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: high school diploma or GED plus four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours plus 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 credits earned for diploma or degree requirements; provide proof of a conferred degree within 30 days of hire when applicable.
• 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.
• Be able to attend mandatory training lasting 8–12 weeks, which may be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays; respond to emergencies and natural disasters and work beyond normal work hours or days as required.
• Be physically able to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with emergency evacuations; have normal vision and hearing, with corrective devices as needed; 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.
• Complete the application in its entirety, include supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, and account for employment gaps.
• Successfully complete required state and national background screening and a drug test as conditions of employment.
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.

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.
• Veterans’ Preference may apply to eligible candidates.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions.
• 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 when a child 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 assessments of present and impending danger to children.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

Benefits

• State of Florida employee benefits and total compensation package.
• Vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with using a private vehicle for work.
• Training, advancement, and professional development opportunities.

What This Job Offers

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