Counselor - Evening/Night

Children and Families

ABUSE COUNSELOR - 60073881

Abuse Counselor
Department of Children and Families
This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in Career Service.
Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.
This is professional work protecting children and vulnerable adults as a Team Member at the Florida Abuse Hotline. The employee(s) allocated to this class, assess allegations of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. Conduct thorough assessments via telephone and analyze information received electronically to assess for indicators of abuse, neglect, or abandonment of children and for indicators of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Research appropriate information systems to determine prior history to assist in the safety and risk assessment of alleged victim(s).
Enter reports in the appropriate information system.
Assign cases to appropriate Department of Children and Families County units for investigation.
Receive and refer, as appropriate, complaints against vendors, related licensed facilities, and department employees that may include human rights violations, inappropriate treatment, and inadequate services.
Provide supportive assistance and referral services for persons in need.
Maintain professional respect with field investigative staff, supervisors, and other adult and child protective service professionals in both public and private sectors.
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); 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);
Examples of professional work experience could be, although not limited to:
Contact Center Experience (Inbound Calls, Complaint Resolution)
Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role
Group Home Worker
Behavioral Health Technician
Home Health Aide/CNA
Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN) or similar profession

Nursing Facility Assistant
Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position
Other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management 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.

Ability to attend an approximate 4 - 9-week training course that could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours. Training schedules may vary from actual working schedules based on business needs.
Don't let other people's pain or emotions take over your well-being.
Self-motivated but also adherent to policy and chain of command.
Recognize Patterns of Risk : Spot indicators of abuse or neglect through subtle behavioral cues
Prioritize and Escalate : Quickly determine when intervention or immediate action is needed.
Handle Sensitive Conversations : Talk respectfully with distressed adults, children, or professionals.
Ability to utilize personal computer systems and associated applications, as well as learning how to navigate and utilize new systems when necessary.
Ability to work a schedule that includes evening, night, and weekend hours. 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.
If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
This position may require evening, night, and weekend hours. 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.
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.
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.Growth Opportunities:
With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Meanwhile, Floridians hail from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, and walks of life, making it an incredibly diverse melting pot that many residents and visitors to Florida love. About Department of Children and Families:
Mission: 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.
A workforce that operates with integrity maintains loyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and accountability of results. Both within the organization and among our stakeholders, we thrive in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication. High performing and committed, we are unified in our goal of excellence in achieving quality outcomes for those we serve.

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). All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.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. 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.