SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60055392

State of Florida • Miami, FL

1d

About The Position

The Senior Child Protective Investigator performs professional work protecting children, working with families, and investigating allegations of child abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation. The position is an individual contributor role and serves as a model of child protection practice for other Child Protective Investigators. The investigator assesses child safety, engages families, coordinates services and placements, documents findings, and works with legal, law enforcement, medical, educational, and community partners. The role also provides consultation and subject matter expertise to less experienced investigators and may co-investigate complex cases.

The position requires compliance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Applicants must meet one of the listed education and experience qualification pathways, hold current and active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board, have a valid driver license, and have an operational private vehicle available for work activities. Selected applicants must provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage; the Department provides a vehicle insurance allowance.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated qualification pathways: (1) high school diploma or GED, four years of law enforcement experience or active military service, and the required child welfare experience; (2) an associate degree or 60 or more college credit hours plus the specified professional, law enforcement, or military experience; or (3) a conferred bachelor’s degree.
• Have at least 1.5 years (18 months) of child welfare experience; experience in Child Protective Investigations is preferred.
• Hold current and active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
• Have a valid driver license.
• Have an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage.
• Meet the physical and agility demands of the role, including traversing varied terrain and stairs; assisting with emergency evacuations and clients; normal vision and hearing, with corrective devices as needed; repetitive movements; bending, twisting, kneeling, squatting, pushing, pulling, lifting, and extended-distance walking; lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds; sitting or standing for periods without a break; remaining alert; and driving a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Be able to work 16-hour shifts on occasion.
• Demonstrate knowledge of child protection theories and practice, professional ethics, family-centered interviewing and counseling, interviewing and observation techniques, and child development as it relates to placement.
• Be able to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect; conduct risk and safety investigations; plan, organize, and coordinate assignments; understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures; actively listen; communicate effectively; maintain well-executed case files; establish effective working relationships; use computer systems; and write accurate investigative reports.
• Complete the application in its entirety, including supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, explanations for employment gaps, and verifiable information supporting qualifications.

Nice To Haves

• Child Protective Investigations experience.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, and special conditions involving children.
• Gather information by interviewing children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other people associated with a case.
• Engage families, identify needs, determine appropriate intervention levels, and link families to agency and community resources, including voluntary or court-ordered services.
• Recommend case plan development to the Case Manager.
• 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 when a child cannot safely remain in the home.
• Notify the state attorney, law enforcement, the child protection team, and other required individuals as appropriate.
• Schedule, gather information for, and participate in case staffings.
• Prepare reports and documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide court testimony.
• Maintain thorough client records in appropriate information systems and keep organized client files.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build investigative skills.
• Provide case consultation and advise on or co-investigate complex cases to ensure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community and agency resources.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504, and manage service records and report related data, resource needs, and training needs to the designated program point of contact.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and state and federal requirements.

Benefits

• Competitive employee benefits as part of the State of Florida total compensation package.
• Vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs related to using a private vehicle for work.
• Department opportunities and training for advancement and professional development.

What This Job Offers

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