SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60075194
About The Position
The Senior Child Protective Investigator performs professional work protecting children, working with families, and investigating allegations involving abused, abandoned, neglected, or exploited children. The role is an individual-contributor position and serves as a model of child protection practice for other Child Protective Investigators (CPIs). The investigator assesses child safety, engages families, coordinates appropriate interventions and services, arranges emergency placements when needed, and works with courts, law enforcement, community providers, and other agencies. The position also supports less experienced investigators through subject matter expertise, consultation, and co-investigation of complex cases. All work must comply with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Requirements
- Current valid State of Florida driver's license.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
- Two years of child welfare experience, including one year in investigations.
- Current Florida Child Welfare Certification from the Florida Certification Board.
- Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.
- Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
- Knowledge of family-centered interview and counseling techniques.
- Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.
- Skill in considering child development when guiding placement of children.
- Ability to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect.
- Ability to conduct risk and safety investigations.
- Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
- Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
- Ability to actively listen and communicate effectively.
- Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to utilize computer systems.
- Ability to write accurate investigative reports.
Nice To Haves
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work, behavioral science, criminal justice, nursing, or education.
Responsibilities
- Investigate allegations of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions.
- Collect information through interviews with children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with cases.
- Engage families, identify needs, determine the level of intervention required, and link families to agency and community resources.
- Provide recommendations to Case Managers for case plan development.
- Conduct initial and ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments.
- Develop signed Present Danger Plans and safety plans with families to address identified threats and interventions.
- Arrange emergency placement for children who cannot safely remain in their homes.
- Notify the state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team, and other required individuals when appropriate.
- Schedule and gather information for case staffings and participate in them.
- Prepare reports and documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide court testimony.
- Maintain thorough client-record documentation and organized client files.
- Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
- Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs develop investigative skills.
- Consult on or co-investigate complex cases to support appropriate, clear, high-quality, and thorough investigations.
- Maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other relevant organizations and agencies.
- Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504.
- Manage service records and report related data and resource or training needs to the designated program point of contact.
- Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
Benefits
- Employees are encouraged to pursue available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
