CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60074875

State of Florida

23d • $50,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Children in crisis need quick action from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to ensuring their safety. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to speak for those with no voice and fight to help ensure the safety of those who cannot protect themselves. We are looking for people who are detailed-oriented, possess good decision-making skills, and can thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the life of a child. The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. The vision is to be a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. In collaboration with community stakeholders, the department aims to deliver world class and continuously improving service focused on providing the people they serve with the level and quality that they would demand and expect for their own families. The workforce operates with integrity, maintains loyalty to a code of ethics, and is a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and accountability of results. They thrive in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication, aiming for excellence in achieving quality outcomes for those they serve.

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 (e.g., Guardian Ad Litem, Family Support Worker, Group Home Worker, Teacher/Teacher's Assistant/Aide, Daycare Provider/Worker, Therapeutic Assistant, Behavioral Health Technician, Family Intervention Specialist, Home Health Aide/CNA, Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN), Nursing Facility Assistant, Paramedic/EMT, Firefighter, Dispatcher, Security/Safety Officer, Emergency Management Deputy/Director, Investigator for a government entity) 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. All Investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.
• Valid Driver License
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected candidates are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.
• Ability to attend an 8 - 12-week mandatory training course. This training could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.
• Must be physically able and have the ability to perform the following physical agility tasks: a.) ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells, b.)assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation, c.) have normal vision and hearing, including use of corrective devices, d.) do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck and head, e.) bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances, f.) lift and carry up to 30 pounds, g.) assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles and safety equipment/devices, h.) sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break, i.) work 16 hour shifts on occasion, j.) remain alert while on duty, k.) drive a vehicle (car or passenger van) to transport clients, during both daytime hours and nighttime hours.
• Successful completion of a drug test is a condition of employment in the position in accordance with Section 112.0455 F.S.
• Successful completion of a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S.
• Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS.

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.
• Opportunities and training for all.
• Advancement and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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