CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60071730

State of Florida • Jacksonville, FL

7d • $50,000 - $50,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Children and Families is hiring Child Protective Investigators in Jacksonville, Florida. Investigators respond to children in crisis by investigating allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions, assessing children’s safety, and arranging emergency placements when children cannot safely remain at home. The role involves frequent contact with children, families, community members, and partner agencies in a demanding, fast-paced environment. The position is designated essential, may involve hazardous conditions in the field, and requires work during emergencies and natural disasters, including hours beyond normal workdays. The posting may be used to fill vacancies in OPS and Career Service. Salary is $50,000.08 annually ($1,923.08 bi-weekly).

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience pathways: 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.
• Military service used to meet a qualification must be honorable, either through an honorable discharge or current service status reflecting honorable service.
• Provide an official registrar letter or unofficial transcripts showing anticipated graduation date and credits earned for diploma or degree requirements; provide proof of a conferred degree 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.
• Hold a valid driver license.
• Have an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance within 30 days of hire.
• Attend a mandatory 8–12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Be able to work nights, weekends, and holidays; work during emergencies or natural disasters and, when required, before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days.
• Meet physical and agility requirements, including navigating varied terrain and stairs; assisting with evacuations and clients; normal vision and hearing with corrective devices if needed; repetitive movement; bending, twisting, kneeling, stooping, squatting, pushing, pulling, lifting, and extended-distance walking; lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds; sitting or standing for periods without a break; occasionally working 16-hour shifts; remaining alert while on duty; and driving a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Complete the application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, explanations for employment gaps, and verifiable information supporting qualifications.
• Complete required state and national criminal background screening, including fingerprinting, and successfully complete a drug test as conditions of employment.
• Be a U.S. citizen or lawfully authorized alien worker.
• Enroll in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program within the first 30 calendar days of appointment.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet applicable Selective Service registration or exemption requirements.

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 at the time of selection.
• The agency may require successful completion of a pre-interview assessment or work sample.

Responsibilities

• Investigate abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions involving children.
• Gather 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, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and state and federal requirements.

Benefits

• Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with using a private vehicle for work.
• Competitive State of Florida employee benefits; details are available through the State benefits website.
• 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