CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60071494
About The Position
Children in crisis require swift action from dedicated and compassionate individuals to ensure their safety. This demanding career offers an opportunity to advocate for those without a voice and protect vulnerable children. The role seeks detailed-oriented individuals with strong decision-making skills who can thrive in high-pressure, fast-paced environments, as their actions can be critical in a child's life. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) partners with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery. DCF envisions a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering individuals with complex needs to achieve optimal outcomes, delivering world-class service with integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for diversity.
Requirements
- A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably); OR
- An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably); OR
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all diploma/degree requirements
- Proof of conferred degree such as official transcripts or copy of diploma/degree must be provided within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment
- Must obtain a 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
- Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire
- Ability to attend an 8 - 12-week mandatory training course, which could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours
- Ability to ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells
- Ability to assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation
- Normal vision and hearing, including use of corrective devices
- Ability to do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck and head
- Ability to bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances
- Ability to lift and carry up to 30 pounds
- Ability to assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles and safety equipment/devices
- Ability to sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break
- Ability to work 16 hour shifts on occasion
- Ability to remain alert while on duty
- Ability to drive a vehicle (car or passenger van) to transport clients, during both daytime hours and nighttime hours
Nice To Haves
- Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred
Responsibilities
- Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children
- Collect information through observation and interviews with the children, parents, relatives, and neighbors
- Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities in order to determine whether a child is safe
- Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in their home
- Notify state attorney, law enforcement and child protection teams
- Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources
- Conduct initial/ongoing child present and impending danger assessments
- Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline
Benefits
- The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits. For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
