CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60039513

State of Florida • Ocala, FL

17d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families is hiring a Child Protective Investigator in Ocala, Florida. The role investigates abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions affecting children, with the goal of determining and protecting child safety. It is a demanding, high-pressure position requiring sound judgment, attention to detail, and compassion. The position may be filled in OPS or Career Service, and is designated as essential. Employees may need to work during emergencies and natural disasters, before, during, or beyond normal working hours and days. Field work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions.

Investigators gather information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives, and neighbors; assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities, and caregiver protective capacities; arrange emergency placements when children cannot safely remain at home; notify relevant authorities and child protection teams; connect families with agency and community services; complete child danger assessments; and report suspected abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline. The role requires a valid driver's license and an operational personal vehicle for daily work activities. The department provides a vehicle insurance allowance to help with insurance costs associated with work use.

Candidates must meet one of the stated education and experience pathways: a high school diploma or GED plus four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or at least 60 college credits plus two years of professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service; or a bachelor's degree. A Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification must be obtained within 12 months after provisional certification and maintained as a condition of employment. Candidates must be able to attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, evening, or weekend hours.

The job requires physical ability to navigate varied terrain and stairs, assist with emergency evacuations and clients, perform repeated movements and bending, kneeling, lifting, pushing, pulling, and walking, carry up to 30 pounds, sit or stand for extended periods, work occasional 16-hour shifts, remain alert while on duty, and drive a car or passenger van during day or night. Night, weekend, and holiday work is required.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service with honorable discharge/status; OR an associate degree or at least 60 college credits and two years of professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service with honorable discharge/status; 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/degree requirements; proof of a conferred degree must be provided within 30 days of hire.
• 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's license.
• Operational private vehicle for daily work activities; provide 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 day, weekend, and evening hours.
• Ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays and during emergencies or natural disasters, including beyond normal work hours or days.
• Ability to perform the specified physical agility tasks, including navigating varied terrain and stairs, assisting with evacuations and clients, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, working occasional 16-hour shifts, and driving a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Ability to follow policy and procedures; manage time; assess, plan, intervene, evaluate, document, and engage; take appropriate actions related to domestic violence, mental health, and/or substance abuse; establish effective relationships with colleagues; and demonstrate professional competencies.
• Successful completion of required criminal history and background screening and a drug test as conditions of employment.
• U.S. citizenship or lawful authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or a related field.
• Language proficiency may be considered according to agency needs.
• Successful completion of a pre-interview assessment or work sample may be required for interview eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Investigate abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions affecting children.
• 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 for children who cannot safely remain in their homes.
• 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, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Use a personal vehicle to perform daily work activities and transport clients when required.
• Work during emergency situations or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.

Benefits

• The department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage for use of a private vehicle for work purposes.
• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; details are available through the State benefits website.
• The department offers opportunities for advancement, training, and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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