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Child Protective Investigator

How an Child Protective Investigator Will Make a Difference:

WHEN SECONDS COUNT…A CHILD CANNOT WAIT!!!

 

Children in crisis need quick action from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to ensuring their safety. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to speak for those with no voice and fight to help ensure the safety of those who cannot protect themselves. We are looking for people who are detailed-oriented, possess good decision-making skills, and can thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the life of a child.

Growth Opportunities:
With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Our jobs are among the most challenging, complex, and difficult in State government. They are also among the most rewarding. All employees are encouraged to take advantage of available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

  • No state income tax for residents of Florida
  • Annual and Sick Leave benefits
  • Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year
  • State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
  • Retirement plan options, including employer contributions. For more information, please click myfrs.com.
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Tuition waivers
  • And more! For a more complete list of benefits, visit mybenefits.myflorida.com.

Minimum Qualifications:

  • A bachelor’s degree.
  • Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred. (When applying please attach required education, certification, or licensure).
  • Must obtain provisional Child Welfare Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months of hire. All Investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment. Information regarding certification can be found at: Florida Certification Board
  • Valid Driver License; and
  • Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of private vehicle for work purposes.
  • Ability to attend an 8 - 12 week mandatory training course. This training could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.
  • This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work; including working on scheduled off duty days and various shifts. This position has also been designated as an essential position.  Incumbents are expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters and may be required to work before, during and beyond normal work hours/days.

Specific Responsibilities:

  • Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children
  • Works closely with law enforcement
  • Collects information through observation and interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case, as well as analysis of criminal, past service history and other records
  • Engages families to understand the family’s perspectives about family dynamics, challenges and solutions, identifies needs and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services
  • Assesses danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities in order to determine whether a child is safe or not safe
  • Develops with family and other persons as necessary any required present and/or impending danger plans based on analysis of danger threats in operation
  • Manages and modifies safety plans as necessary during the investigation
  • 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
  • Provides written present and impending danger assessments
  • Completes Risk Assessment on families investigated and explains risk score to family
  • Conduct staffing’s required for families with risk scores that are High and Very High Risk
  • Presents safety plan and impending danger assessment at case management case transfer staffing and participates in discussion as to recommended follow-up actions
  • Provides families with services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment and 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
  • Schedules and gathers information for and participates in case staffing
  • 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
  • Establishes and maintains cooperative and professional 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.