Job Description

Requisition No: 871974

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60042477

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60042477

Salary: 54,200

Posting Closing Date: 03/27/2026

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Typical duties:

• Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children.
• Collects information through interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case.
• Engages families, identifies needs and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services; provides services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment. 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.
• 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.
• Schedules and gathers information for and participates in case staffing’s.
• 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 indications of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Provides mentoring and shadowing using subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build increased capacity in investigative skills.
• Serves as acting unit supervisor as needed.
• Provides case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
• 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.

The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.

Note: The examples of work as listed above are not all-inclusive. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are of a logical assignment to the position.

Minimum qualifications:

• Current valid driver's license; and
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; and
• Two years of child protective investigative related experience; and
• Current Florida Child Protective Investigator certification

Preferences:

• Bachelor’s degree in social work, behavioral science, criminal justice, nursing, or education field.

Special note:

• APPLICATIONS MUST BE UP TO DATE IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED.
• All Investigators must maintain certification as a Child Welfare Professional as a condition of employment. Information regarding certification can be found at http://www.flcertificationboard.org/Certifications_Child-Welfare-Case-Manager.cfm

• Ability to speak/read/write Spanish/Creole/French or other foreign language may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency need at time of interview.
• Some Agency positions may require successful completion of pre-interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.

It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and, if applicable, also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Service Center (1-877-562-7284). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible veterans and spouses of veterans who are Florida residents will receive preference in employment and are encouraged to apply. However, applicants claiming Veterans' Preference must attach supporting documentation with each application submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. All documentation is due by the closing date of the vacancy announcement. Documentation is based on the type of veteran preference claim. For information on the supporting documentation required, click here Applicants may fax their supporting documentation to People First at 1-888-403-2110

IF YOU EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS APPLYING ONLINE, PLEASE CALL THE PEOPLEFIRST SERVICE CENTER AT (877) 562-7287

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.

VETERANS’ PREFERENCE. Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, candidates eligible for Veterans’ Preference will receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies and are encouraged to apply. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. Candidates claiming Veterans’ Preference must attach supporting documentation with each submission that includes character of service (for example, DD Form 214 Member Copy #4) along with any other documentation as required by Rule 55A-7, Florida Administrative Code. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.