SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60075266
About The Position
This is professional work protecting children, working with families, and investigating allegations of child abuse, abandonment, neglect, or exploitation. The Senior Child Protective Investigator serves as an individual contributor and a model of child protection practice to other investigators. The role includes assessing child safety, coordinating services and placements, documenting investigations, and collaborating with courts and community partners. The position also provides subject matter expertise, consultation, and co-investigation support to less experienced investigators, particularly on complex cases. All work must be performed in accordance with applicable state and federal laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. The position is with the Florida Department of Children and Families in New Port Richey, Pasco County.
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 child-protection theories and practices.
- 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 decisions.
- Ability to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect and 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, communicate effectively, maintain well-executed case files, establish effective working relationships, use computer systems, and 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 abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions involving children.
- Collect information by interviewing children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other people associated with a case.
- Engage families, identify needs, determine the appropriate level of intervention, connect families with agency and community resources, and recommend case-plan development to the Case Manager.
- Conduct initial and ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments.
- Develop and obtain family signatures on Present Danger Plans and safety plans addressing 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 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 in appropriate information systems and keep client files organized.
- Report indications of abuse, neglect, or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
- Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced investigators build 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 relevant organizations and resources.
- 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, resources, and training needs to the designated program 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, including training.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
