CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60072053 Date: Jul 16, 2026 The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our e-Verify Website. Requisition No: 864814 Agency: Children and Families Working Title: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60072053 Position Number: 60072053 Salary: $50,000.08 annually / $1,923.08 bi-weekly This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in OPS and Career Service. Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy. How you will make an impact 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 help ensure the safety of those who cannot protect themselves. We seek individuals who are detail‑oriented, possess good decision‑making skills, and can thrive in a high‑pressure, fast‑paced environment. When seconds count, your decision may be the critical difference in a child's life. What you will do Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions for children. Collect information through observation and interviews with children, parents, relatives, and neighbors. Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities to determine whether a child is safe. Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in their home. Notify state attorney, law enforcement, and child protection teams. Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources. Conduct initial/ongoing child present and impending danger assessments. Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline. Qualifications A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or currently serving honorably). An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (examples below) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or currently serving honorably). Examples of professional work experience Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role Family Support Worker Group Home Worker Teacher / Teacher's Assistant / Aide Therapeutic Assistant Family Intervention Specialist Home Health Aide / CNA Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN) or similar profession Nursing Facility Assistant Paramedic / EMT Dispatcher Security / Safety Officer Emergency Management Deputy / Director or similar position Investigator (sworn/non‑sworn) for a government entity Other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management or medical professional jobs that occur in high‑paced, high‑stress environments requiring critical decision‑making. Must obtain a Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification. All investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment. Valid Driver License. Must possess an operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected candidates are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of hire. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of coverage. Ability to attend an 8‑12 week mandatory training course. This training could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours. Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process. May require successful completion of pre‑interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview. Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred. Additional Information and Requirements This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work. It is also 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. Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Following policy and procedures, Managing Time, Assessing, Planning, Intervening, Evaluating, Documenting, Engaging, Teaming, taking appropriate actions related to Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and/or Substance Abuse, Establishing Effective Relationships with Colleagues, Professional Competencies. Must be physically able and have the ability to perform the following physical agility tasks: ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells; assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation; have normal vision and hearing, including use of corrective devices; do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck and head; bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances; lift and carry up to 30 pounds; assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles and safety equipment; sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break; work 16 hour shifts on occasion; remain alert while on duty; drive a vehicle (car or passenger van) to transport clients during both daytime hours and nighttime hours. 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. 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. DCF is focused on investing in its world‑class workforce. Legal and Eligibility Information Selective Service: Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, visit the SSS website: Background Screening Requirement: The Florida Department of Children and Families requires any candidate being considered for employment to successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. Employees may be terminated based on the background investigation results if the candidate begins employment before the background results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background investigations include, but may not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and national criminal records check 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. Employees will be retained in state and national rail back program, providing real‑time arrest hit notifications. Drug–Free Workplace: A drug test is required. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S. Equal Opportunity Employer: The State of Florida is an EEO employer. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. Reasonable Accommodation: Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the hiring authority and/or People First Service Center. Notification must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation. Veterans’ Preference: Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible Veterans may 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. Veterans’ Preference documentation must be attached with each submission. For assistance, call the People First Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Eastern time. Pursuant to Florida Law 110.211 F.S., the State of Florida is an EEO employer. #J-18808-Ljbffr