SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60075296

State of Florida

About The Position

This is professional work protecting children, working with families and conducting investigations of alleged abused, abandoned, neglected or exploited children. This position will assume an individual contributor role and be a model of child protection practice to other Child Protective Investigators (CPIs). · Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children; · Collects information through interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case; · Engages families, identifies needs and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services; provides services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment. Provides recommendations for development of case plan to Case Manager. · Conducts initial/ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments; · Develops with the family a signed Present Danger Plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions; · Arranges emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in the home; · Notifies state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team and other required individuals as appropriate; · Schedules and gathers information for and participates in case staffings; · Prepares appropriate reports/documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provides testimony in court; · Maintains thorough documentation in the client records/appropriate information system(s) and maintains organized client files; · Reports indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline; · Provides subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build increased capacity in investigative skills; · Provides case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness; · Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with child protective investigations such as community based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community/agency resources; · Ensures effective communication with deaf or hard-of hearing Customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504 and shall manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to their designated program point of contact.The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.

Requirements

Current valid State of Florida driver's license
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Two years of child welfare experience with 1 of those years 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.
Skilled in considering child development in 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 to others.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to utilize computer systems.
Ability to write accurate investigative reports.

Nice To Haves

Bachelors or Masters degree in social work, behavioral science, criminal justice, nursing or education field

Responsibilities

Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children
Collects information through interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case
Engages families, identifies needs and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services; provides services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment. Provides recommendations for development of case plan to Case Manager.
Conducts initial/ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments
Develops with the family a signed Present Danger Plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions
Arranges emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in the home
Notifies state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team and other required individuals as appropriate
Schedules and gathers information for and participates in case staffings
Prepares appropriate reports/documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provides testimony in court
Maintains thorough documentation in the client records/appropriate information system(s) and maintains organized client files
Reports indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline
Provides subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build increased capacity in investigative skills
Provides case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness
Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with child protective investigations such as community based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community/agency resources
Ensures effective communication with deaf or hard-of hearing Customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504 and shall manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to their designated program point of contact.The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.