Child Protective Field Support Consultant

Department of Children and Families

  Northeast Region

  Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

  IN SERVICE Training Department

This is advanced professional work assessing and developing Child Protective Investigators (CPIs) to ensure possession of the appropriate level of professional competencies. This position will work in cooperation with CPI Supervisors and management in promoting the development of knowledge, skills, and their application for CPIs.

Observe and document investigator casework activities in providing protective investigations, assessment of service needs and referrals to service providers.

Reviews casework, assessments and safety plans with investigators, and provides consultation and direction to ensure appropriateness, clarity, quality, thoroughness and proper documentation.

Provides real-time support/guidance by scheduling field assessments (random and scheduled) during investigative activities conducted by CPIs to provide on-the-job training.

Assist in providing guidance to investigators by coaching, motivating, modeling and providing other mentoring initiatives.

Coach and assist CPIs with documenting aspects of investigations (i.e., chronological entry of case summaries), in which support was provided to investigators, by updating the appropriate information systems.

Observe, analyze, and evaluate individual CPI performance to determine their effectiveness and level of competency and provide recommendations to regional management regarding actions to improve performance.

Serves as member of leadership team responsible for developing system-based solutions to CPI training and development issues or concerns.

 Based on field experience and observations, provide recommendations to the Department’s Program Office on enhancements to both CPI pre-service and in-service training to ensure the development and maintenance of a comprehensive and relevant training curriculum.

Serves as a subject matter expert in child protective investigations.

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.

Regionwide travel to observe field work or provide in-service or pre-service instruction is required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection. Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.

Knowledge of family-centered interviewing and counseling techniques.

Knowledge of investigative techniques.

Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.

Skill 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.

QUALIFICATIONS

A bachelor’s degree (degree must be conferred at the time of application). Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred. (When applying please attach required education, certification or licensure). 

Minimum 2 years of Child Welfare Experience, preferred in Child Protective Investigations.

Current/Active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the 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 vehicles for work purposes.