Investigator Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• Meet one of the listed education and experience pathways: high school diploma or GED and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service; an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours and two years of professional work experience, law enforcement experience, or active military service; or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• A valid driver’s license and safe driving history.
• Own or have access to a licensed, operational, insured automobile available for daily fieldwork.
• Ability to work weekends and rotating schedules as needed.
• Tact, patience, and courtesy when dealing with vulnerable adults, and the ability to maintain a calm, professional demeanor during emergency and non-emergency calls.
• Independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments.
• Typing and time-management skills.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and practices, interviewing and observation techniques, and family dynamics and functioning.
• Experience in emergency, tactical, or customer/public complaint interactions using communication technology, including basic computer and typing skills.
• Knowledge of Chapter 415, Florida Statutes, the Adult Protective Services Act, and the Department of Children and Families Adult Protective Investigations and Services policies and procedures.
• Skill in researching and using internet sites to gather information.
• Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery.
• Ability to write professional, accurate investigative reports and conduct fact-finding interviews.
• Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to collect and synthesize evidentiary materials.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to listen actively, communicate effectively, and establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to use computer systems and work in a paperless environment.
• Ability to mentor and coach new and existing protective investigators.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and self-neglect involving vulnerable adults.
• Gather information through observation and interviews with vulnerable adults, relatives, subjects, collaterals, and other parties; analyze criminal, service-history, and other records.
• Collect evidentiary information through interviews, observations, and review of materials.
• Assess vulnerable adults’ mental capacity, danger threats, vulnerabilities, and caregiver capacities to determine safety.
• Maintain thorough documentation in the appropriate database information systems.
• Identify service needs and determine the appropriate level of intervention, including voluntary services or court-ordered protective services.
• Prepare investigative reports and petitions for court proceedings, evaluate evidence, and report findings.
• Mentor Adult Protective Investigators, including new investigators during their probationary period.
• Serve as Acting Unit Supervisor when the Adult Protective Investigations Supervisor is unavailable or on extended leave.
• Coordinate with the APS Program Office regarding unit training needs, staffing issues, and mentoring or coaching needs.
• Work with law enforcement and partner agencies, including the Department of Elder Affairs, Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and Agency for Health Care Administration.
• Assist victims with temporary emergency shelter placement and other emergency services.
• Notify state attorneys, law enforcement, state agencies, and other required individuals as appropriate.
• Connect vulnerable adults with agency and community resources.
• Provide expert testimony and documentation in judicial matters involving abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation.
• Report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Establish and maintain working relationships with community service organizations, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources.
• Work evenings, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis as assigned.
• Perform assigned duties in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and state and federal requirements.

Benefits

• Annual and sick leave package
• Ten paid holidays
• Health, dental, disability, and life insurance, plus optional supplemental insurance
• Educational benefits, including a tuition waiver
• Contributory retirement plan
• Deferred compensation plans
• Bi-annual vehicle insurance stipend