CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60071762

State of Florida • Sebring, FL

10d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Protective Investigator conducts investigations involving child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions, with the goal of assessing children’s safety and arranging protection when needed. The role involves working with children and families in a demanding, high-pressure, fast-paced environment and requires sound decision-making, attention to detail, and compassion. Investigators connect families with agency and community resources and coordinate with state attorneys, law enforcement, and child protection teams.

This is an essential position based in Sebring, Florida. It requires night, weekend, and holiday work, and employees may be called to work during emergencies or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours. Field work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions. Investigators must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator certification within the stated timeframe and maintain certification as a condition of employment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service with honorable discharge or current honorable service; OR an associate degree or 60 or more college credit hours and two years of professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service with honorable discharge or current honorable service; OR a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• 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 license.
• Operational private vehicle for daily work activities; provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance documentation within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays; work during emergencies or natural disasters and, when required, before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.
• Ability to perform the stated physical agility tasks, including navigating varied terrain and stairs; assisting with evacuations and clients; repetitive movements; bending, kneeling, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds; extended walking and periods of sitting or standing; remaining alert; driving a car or passenger van by day or night; and occasionally working 16-hour shifts.
• Provide documentation of degree or credits as required; proof of a conferred degree must be provided within 30 days of hire when applicable.
• Complete the application in full, including supervisor names and phone numbers for each period of employment and explanations for employment gaps; qualifications and application responses must be verifiable.
• Successfully complete required state and national criminal 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.
• Successful completion of a pre-interview assessment or work sample may be required for interview eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Investigate child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions.
• Gather information through observations 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 child-present and impending-danger assessments.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Work during emergency situations or natural disasters as an essential employee when required.

Benefits

• Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage for use of a private vehicle for work purposes.
• State of Florida employee benefits and total compensation package; specific benefits are not itemized in the posting.
• Department opportunities and training for advancement and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED