CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60048288

State of Florida • CRESTVIEW, FL

34d • Onsite

About The Position

The Child Protective Investigator conducts investigations involving child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions, with the goal of assessing and ensuring child safety. The role involves gathering information from children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other sources; assessing danger threats, child vulnerabilities, and caregiver protective capacities; arranging emergency placements when children cannot safely remain at home; and connecting families with agency and community resources. Investigators report suspected abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline and notify relevant state attorneys, law enforcement, and child protection teams.

This is a demanding, high-pressure role requiring sound judgment, attention to detail, and compassion. The position is essential and requires work at night, on weekends and holidays, and during emergencies or natural disasters, potentially beyond normal work hours or days. Incumbents may encounter hazardous field conditions and must be able to perform specified physical tasks, including walking varied terrain, assisting clients, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, driving to transport clients, and occasionally working 16-hour shifts.

The position requires a valid driver license and access to an operational private vehicle for daily work activities. New hires must complete an 8–12-week mandatory training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours, and must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after receiving provisional certification and maintain it as a condition of employment. The position is with the Florida Department of Children and Families, in the Fort Walton Beach, Crestview, and Niceville area.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience paths: high school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or 60 or more 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.
• For military-service qualification, service must be honorable, either through honorable discharge or current service status reflecting honorable service.
• Provide an official registrar letter or unofficial transcripts showing anticipated graduation dates and earned credits for diploma or degree requirements; provide proof of a 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 the certification as a condition of employment.
• Have a valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities.
• Provide vehicle registration and documentation of appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.
• Attend the mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Be physically able to navigate varied terrain and stairs; assist with emergency evacuations and clients; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift, and walk extended distances; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; sit or stand for periods without a break; remain alert while on duty; and drive a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Have normal vision and hearing, with corrective devices if needed.
• Complete the application in its entirety and provide verifiable work, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Successfully complete required state and national criminal-history background screening and drug testing as conditions of employment.
• 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 requirement to be eligible for hire or promotion.
• Enroll in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program within the first 30 calendar days of appointment.

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.
• Veterans' preference may apply to eligible candidates for Career Service vacancies.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions involving children.
• Collect information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and others.
• 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 as appropriate.
• Connect families with agency and community resources and services.
• Conduct initial and ongoing child-present and impending-danger assessments.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Work during night, weekend, and holiday hours and during emergencies or natural disasters, as required.
• Use a private vehicle for daily work activities and drive to transport clients.

Benefits

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

What This Job Offers

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