CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60003080

State of Florida • Marathon, FL

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Florida Department of Children and Families is hiring Child Protective Investigators to serve Key West, Tavernier, and Marathon, Florida. Investigators respond to children in crisis and conduct investigations involving abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions. This challenging role requires compassionate, detail-oriented people with sound decision-making skills who can perform effectively in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. The position is designated as essential, and incumbents may be required to work during emergencies or natural disasters, including before, during, and beyond normal work hours or days. Field work may involve exposure to hazardous conditions.

The position may be filled in OPS or Career Service. The listed salary is $50,000.08 annually, or $1,923.08 bi-weekly. Investigators must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification and maintain certification as a condition of employment.

Requirements

• Meet one of the following education and experience combinations: high school diploma or GED plus four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours plus 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 the active military service qualification, service must be honorable, including 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 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.
• Have a valid driver's license and an operational private vehicle for daily work; provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance within 30 days of hire.
• Attend a mandatory 8- to 12-week training course, which may be scheduled during daytime, weekend, and evening hours.
• Work nights, weekends, and holidays; be available to work during emergencies and natural disasters and before, during, or beyond normal work hours or days.
• Be physically able to traverse varied terrain and stairs; assist with evacuations and clients entering or exiting properties, vehicles, and safety equipment; have normal vision and hearing, with corrective devices if needed; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, turn, 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; work 16-hour shifts on occasion; remain alert while on duty; and drive a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Complete the Candidate Profile application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment, and explain any employment gaps.
• Ensure experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, abilities, and pre-qualifying-question responses are verifiable.
• Successfully complete required state and national criminal history and background screening, including fingerprinting; complete a drug test as a condition 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.

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.
• A pre-interview assessment or work sample may be required to be eligible for an interview.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions.
• Gather information through observations 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

• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; details are available at www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.
• A Vehicle Insurance Allowance is provided to assist with insurance costs related to using a private vehicle for work.
• Employees are encouraged to pursue available advancement and professional development opportunities and training.

What This Job Offers

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