SENIOR ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60021656

State of Florida•West Palm Beach, FL

8d•$1,577

About The Position

Vulnerable adults in crisis need quick action from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to ensuring their safety. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to speak for those adults who cannot protect themselves and fight to help ensure their safety and independence as much as possible. This professional position investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation against vulnerable adults and the mitigation of the risk factors involved. Clients served include those residing in the community and alternative care facilities (i.e. mental health and assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc.) Adult Protective Investigations is not a typical 8-to-5 office job. Senior Adult Protective Investigators work in the community and travel to facilities and homes throughout the service area. We are looking for individuals who are detail-oriented, possess good decision-making skills, and are able to thrive in a challenging, high-pressure, fast pace environment. When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the lives of Florida’s vulnerable adult population.

Requirements

Currently employed by the Department of Children and Families.
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in written form
Candidates must have two (2) or more years of experience working with Adult Protective Investigations, knowledge of the circuit resources and knowledge of current APS work practices
Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques
Knowledge of family dynamics and functioning
Skill in researching and utilization of internet sites to gather information
Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery
Ability to write professional, accurate investigative reports
Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews
Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures
Ability to collect and synthesize evidentiary materials
Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments
Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
Ability to utilize computer systems and work in a paperless environment
A valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
Must own, or have access to, a licensed, operational, insured automobile that would be available for doing fieldwork daily and during on call periods. (Prior to employment proof of the required level of automobile insurance must be provided)
Must be able to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis as necessary.

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation of vulnerable adults
Responds to reports from the Florida Abuse Hotline by preparing for investigation, reviewing all prior history, reviewing criminal history checks, and contacting the reporter (when available).
Commences all adult abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect investigations with a face-to-face contact with the victim within the assigned priority time frames.
Visits all adult vicitims or ensure a diligent effort made to locate the victim within assigned priority time frames.
Prepares and maintains adult abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect reporting records/documentation in accordance with department and program policies and procedures on: a) Completes victim assessment on all victims received from the Hotline, unless victim cannot be found b) Completes capacity to consent or refuse services form on all victims c) Contacts collateral contacts such as the state attorney, law enforcement, medical personnel, neighbors, relatives, guardians, or other individuals having knowledge of the situation d) Collects evidence to support findings through interviews, observations, and records (i.e. medical and financial)
Determines findings of allegation(s), documents rational for findings and all decisions made during the investigation and makes disposition for each investigation report. Preparation of required reports for court and the attendance at those court and referral, counsels, explains, advised, arranges appointment and listens to the client's concerns 100% of all reports of adult abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect are closed and documented in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN)
Maintains cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with adult protective investigations such as community based providers, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools and other community/agency resources, including appropriate and timely follow-up on referrals and obtains available information from departmental background checks through Hotline criminal background re-checks and other program components to include Agency for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (APD), Substance Abuse/ Mental Health (SAMH), Department of Health (DOH), and Economic Services and Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).
Serves as a mentor to unit adult protective investigators. Responsible for mentoring new adult protective investigators by taking them out to shadow prior to preservice training, orientation to community and state agency partners, and serves as the new API’s mentor and contact during the probationary period. Keeps the API supervisor, Operations Program Administrator, and APS region program office informed of potential issues including staffing, need for additional training, and higher level coaching of unit staff.
Assesses the need for emergency intervention and/or on-going services for all victims in accordance with the protective investigations policies and operating procedures. Arranges and participates in all staffings for clients referred for early services intervention and protective supervision.
Refers vulnerable adult(s) to appropriate services providers as determined by the investigation which may be initiated at any point during the investigation.
Attends scheduled in-service and/or pre-service training as required. Participates in conferences, staffings and meetings as required.
Serves as the Acting Supervisor when the supervisor is unavailable by reviewing new intakes from the Florida Abuse Hotline for appropriateness; assigns investigations as appropriate; completes critical and thorough review of submitted safety assessments, 30-day reviews and closures timely. Keeps APS region program office informed of potential issues including staffing and need for additional trainings.