ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR

Adult Protective Investigator

This professional position investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation against vulnerable adults and the mitigation of the risk factors involved. Clients served include those residing in the community and alternative care facilities. Vulnerable adults 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 adults who cannot protect themselves and fight to help ensure their safety and independence.

Be part of a team dedicated to protecting Florida's vulnerable adults by meeting Florida's nationally leading standards for Adult Protective Services' investigations and protections for vulnerable adults. Your first priority will be the vulnerable adult's safety. To assess safety concerns and mental capacity, you will meet with the vulnerable adult in person within 24 hours of receiving a report. When necessary, you will coordinate emergency services including medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention when the person cannot make decisions for themselves.

Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and work to prevent it from reoccurring. Gather critical information about vulnerable adults and others involved in the case through interviews, observations, and analysis of criminal history, prior APS involvement, and records uncovered during the investigations. Coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to provide justice for vulnerable adults. Connect vulnerable adults with agency and community resources to wrap around services needed to improve their quality of life and often saving them from the worst outcomes. Build relationships with organizations involved with adult protective investigations such as community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, and other community resources.

At the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF), we believe in investing in our highly skilled workforce. Through our Career Ladder program, you will have the opportunity to increase your salary by completing a series of targeted courses designed to enhance your knowledge and expertise in Adult Protective Services and professional development.

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 Examples of professional work experience could be, although not limited to: Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role Family Support Worker Group Home Worker Teacher's Assistant/Aide Daycare Provider/Worker Therapeutic Assistant Behavioral Health Technician Family Intervention Specialist Home Health Aide Nurse (LPN or RN) or similar profession Nursing Facility Assistant EMT Other welfare, education or medical professional jobs that occur in high-paced, high-stress environments that require critical decision-making to occur. 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. Valid Driver License; and Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected candidates are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage within 30 days of employment as a condition of employment. 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 a 6-8 -week mandatory training course.

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: Experience in emergency, tactical or customer/public complaint interactions utilizing communication technology, including basic computer and typing skills; Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques; Knowledge of family dynamics and functioning; Skill in researching and utilization of internet sites to gather information; Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery; Ability to write professional, accurate investigative reports; Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews; Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures; Ability to collect and synthesize evidentiary materials; Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments; Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; Ability to utilize computer systems and work in a paperless environment This work requires a high degree of tact, patience, and courtesy dealing with vulnerable adults. Incumbents in this class must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls. The work requires independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments. Typing and good time management skills are necessary for this job. 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 situaiton: c) hear and see accurately and clearly (with the assistance of corrective devices, if needed); d) do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck, and head; e) drive a vehicle to transport clients including assisting clients in and out of properties and vehicles; f) sit and/or stand for periods of time (up to 2 hours) without a break; g) remain alert while on duty (awake, ready to perform job tasks, and responsive to clients and Department personnel, etc.); and h) drive a vehicle to perform job duties.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety. Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment. Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed. Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications. It is unacceptable to use the statement "See Resume" in place of entering work history.

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. For a more complete list of benefits, visit

The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency. In collaboration with community stakeholders, we will deliver world class and continuously improving service focused on providing the people we serve with the level and quality that we would demand and expect for our own families.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures. We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers. Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment. 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 View phone number on click.appcast.io). 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, 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.

Location: PANAMA CITY, FL, US, 32401 PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL, US, 32413 PANAMA CITY, FL, US, 32404 PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL, US, 32407 PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL, US, 32408 PANAMA CITY, FL, US, 32405 PANAMA CITY, FL, US, 32402