CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR

Child Protective Investigator

Salary: $50,000.08 annually / $1,923.08 bi-weekly

Posting Closing Date: 06/08/2026

Location: Tampa, Florida

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.

What you will do:

• Conduct investigations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children
• Collect information through observation and interviews with the children, parents, relatives, and neighbors
• Assess danger threats, child vulnerabilities and caregiver protective capacities in order 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 status that current service reflects serving honorably); OR An associate degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university and two years of professional work experience (see examples below) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably); OR A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all diploma/degree requirements. Proof of conferred degree such as official transcripts or copy of diploma/degree must be provided within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment. 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; and Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities.

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.

Bachelor's or master's degree in social work or related field preferred.

This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work. It 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. 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: a.) ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells, b.)assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation, c.) have normal vision and hearing, including use of corrective devices, d.) do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck and head, e.) bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances, f.) lift and carry up to 30 pounds, g.) assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles and safety equipment/devices, h.) sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break, i.) work 16 hour shifts on occasion, j.) remain alert while on duty, k.) drive a vehicle (car or passenger van) to transport clients, during both daytime hours and nighttime hours.