SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60075018

State of Florida • Fort Lauderdale, FL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Senior Child Protective Investigator is a professional role with the Florida Department of Children and Families in Broward County. The position protects children, works with families, and investigates allegations involving child abuse, abandonment, neglect, exploitation, or special conditions. As an individual contributor, the Senior CPI models child protection practice and provides expertise and support to other investigators. The requisition may fill multiple positions, including anticipated Special Victim Unit positions.

The role conducts investigations, assesses child safety and danger, engages families to determine appropriate interventions, and coordinates services and placements. It works with families, community resources, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, Children’s Legal Services, and other partners. The investigator maintains thorough records, prepares reports, participates in court proceedings, and may testify. The role also provides consultation and co-investigation support on complex cases and ensures effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers in accordance with applicable accessibility requirements.

The position requires a valid driver license and an operational private vehicle for daily work activities. The department provides a vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs related to work use. Physical requirements include field travel and activity across varied terrain, assistance with evacuations and clients, lifting and carrying up to 30 pounds, and the ability to work 16-hour shifts on occasion and drive during daytime and nighttime hours. The posted salary is $54,500.16.

Requirements

• One of the following qualification pathways is required: (1) high school diploma or GED, four years of law enforcement experience or active military service, and the other qualifications listed; (2) an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours and two years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service, and the other qualifications listed; or (3) a conferred bachelor’s degree and the other qualifications listed.
• At least 1.5 years (18 months) of child welfare experience; experience in Child Protective Investigations is preferred.
• Current and active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
• Valid driver license.
• Possess an operational private vehicle for daily work activities and provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage.
• Knowledge of child protection theories and practice, professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling, family-centered interviewing and counseling techniques, and interviewing and observation techniques.
• Ability to consider child development when guiding placement; recognize indicators of abuse and neglect; conduct risk and safety investigations; plan, organize, and coordinate work; and understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively, maintain well-executed case files, establish effective working relationships, use computer systems, and write accurate investigative reports.
• Physical ability to traverse varied terrain and stairs; assist with evacuations and clients; perform repetitive movements; bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift, and walk extended distances; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; sit or stand for periods without a break; remain alert; and drive a car or passenger van during daytime and nighttime hours.
• Normal vision and hearing, including with corrective devices.
• Ability to work 16-hour shifts on occasion.
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field is preferred under the bachelor’s-degree qualification pathway.
• Applicants must complete the Candidate Profile in full, include supervisor names and phone numbers for all employment periods, explain employment gaps, and provide verifiable experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, abilities, and pre-qualifying responses.
• Must successfully complete required state and national criminal-history background screening before beginning employment.
• Only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers are hired.
• Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must meet the stated Selective Service registration or exemption requirement.

Nice To Haves

• Child Protective Investigations experience.
• A bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or a related field.
• Experience in professional roles such as Guardian ad Litem or similar child advocacy, family support, group home work, teaching assistant/aide, family intervention, EMT, case management, or other welfare, education, or medical work in high-paced, high-stress settings requiring critical decisions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations into allegations of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, exploitation, and special conditions.
• Gather information through interviews with children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with cases.
• Engage families, identify needs, determine the appropriate level of intervention, 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 when a child cannot safely remain at home.
• Notify the state attorney, law enforcement, 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 testimony in court.
• Maintain thorough client-record documentation 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 Child Protective Investigators develop investigative skills.
• Consult on and/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 organizations and resources.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504, and manage and report service records, data, and resource or training needs.
• Perform job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.

Benefits

• The department provides a vehicle insurance allowance to assist with insurance costs associated with using a private vehicle for work.
• The State of Florida offers an employee benefits package; the posting refers applicants to the state benefits website for details.
• Training, advancement, and professional development opportunities are encouraged.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED