CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60071457

State of Florida • Tallahassee, FL

33d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families is hiring Child Protective Investigators in Tallahassee, Florida. Investigators respond to situations involving children who may be experiencing abuse, neglect, abandonment, or other special conditions. This demanding role requires compassion, attention to detail, sound decision-making, and the ability to work in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. The position is designated as essential and may require work during emergencies and natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days. Investigators may encounter hazardous conditions in the field.

The posting may be used to fill vacancies in both OPS and Career Service. The stated salary is $50,000.08 annually, or $1,923.08 bi-weekly. Selected candidates must complete mandatory training and obtain and maintain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification. The role requires a valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities; the department provides a vehicle insurance allowance. Candidates must provide vehicle registration and appropriate insurance documentation within 30 days of hire.

Requirements

• One of the following education and experience combinations: a high school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours and two years of qualifying professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• For the active military service qualification, service must be honorable, either through honorable discharge or current service status reflecting honorable service.
• Provide documentation of education; proof of a conferred degree must be provided within 30 days of hire when applicable.
• 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 license.
• Operational private vehicle for daily work activities; provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire.
• Ability to attend mandatory training lasting 8–12 weeks, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Physically able to traverse varied terrain and stairs; assist with evacuations; have normal vision and hearing, including with corrective devices; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift, and walk extended distances; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles, and safety equipment; sit and/or stand for periods without a break; work 16-hour shifts on occasion; remain alert while on duty; and drive a car or passenger van to transport clients during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Complete the application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, and account for employment gaps.
• Pass required state and national background screening and drug testing before 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.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field.
• Language proficiency may be considered based on agency needs.
• A pre-interview assessment or work sample may be required for interview eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Investigate abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions involving children.
• Collect information by observing and interviewing 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 a child who cannot safely remain at home.
• 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.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and state and federal requirements.

Benefits

• The State of Florida offers a competitive employee benefits package; details are available through the State benefits website.
• Vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs for use of a private vehicle for work.
• Training and opportunities for advancement and professional development.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED