SENIOR ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60039522

State of Florida•Miami, FL

About The Position

The Senior Adult Protective Investigator is a professional position conducting confidential investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The position responds to reports from the Florida Abuse Hotline, investigates allegations, assesses victims’ needs and safety, documents findings and decisions, and arranges referrals and services. The investigator also mentors adult protective investigators and serves as acting supervisor when the supervisor is unavailable. The role is a Career Service position with the Department of Children and Families. The stated salary is $1,576.93. Positions are located in North, South, and Central areas. The regular schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., totaling 40 hours per week; the workweek may be adjusted to include Saturdays, Sundays, or state holidays.

Requirements

Must maintain a valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

Prepare for investigations of Florida Abuse Hotline reports by reviewing prior history and criminal history checks and contacting the reporter when available.
Begin investigations with face-to-face contact with the victim within assigned priority time frames and visit victims or make a diligent effort to locate them within those time frames.
Maintain investigation records and documentation in accordance with department and program policies and procedures.
Complete victim assessments and capacity-to-consent-or-refuse-services forms, unless the victim cannot be found where applicable.
Contact collateral sources, including state attorneys, law enforcement, medical personnel, neighbors, relatives, guardians, and others with relevant knowledge.
Collect evidence through interviews, observations, and records, including medical and financial records.
Determine and document findings and investigation decisions, and make a disposition for each investigation report.
Prepare required court reports and attend court proceedings.
Provide counseling and information, explain and advise clients, arrange appointments, and listen to client concerns.
Close and document all adult abuse, neglect, exploitation, and self-neglect reports in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).
Maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community or agency resources, and follow up on referrals in a timely manner.
Obtain available information from departmental background checks and relevant program components, including APD, SAMH, DOH, Economic Services, and AHCA.
Mentor unit adult protective investigators, including providing shadowing before preservice training, orientation to community and state agency partners, and support during the probationary period.
Keep the API supervisor, Operations Program Administrator, and APS region program office informed of potential issues, staffing needs, training needs, and coaching needs.
Assess the need for emergency intervention or ongoing services for victims in accordance with protective investigations policies and operating procedures.
Arrange and participate in staffing for clients referred for early services intervention and protective supervision.
Refer vulnerable adults to appropriate service providers as determined by the investigation; referrals may begin at any point during the investigation.
Attend required in-service or preservice training and participate in conferences, staffings, and meetings.
Serve as acting supervisor when the supervisor is unavailable by reviewing new Hotline intakes for appropriateness, assigning investigations, reviewing safety assessments, 30-day reviews, and closures, and informing the APS Region Program office of potential staffing or training issues.
Maintain a valid driver's license.