ABUSE COUNSELOR OPS - 60930160

State-of-Florida; Tallahassee (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

No state income tax

Public service benefits

Comprehensive OPS benefits

Job summary

State of Florida seeks an Abuse Counselor OPS to protect children and vulnerable adults by conducting assessments, documenting findings, and coordinating investigations. The role requires handling high-stress situations with empathy, using information systems to track cases, and communicating clearly with diverse populations.

The position is part-time with nights and weekends preferred and reports to the Tallahassee office.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED plus 4 years of law enforcement or active military service.
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours with 2 years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement or active military service.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute the above requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing; training may be required.
• Provide paperwork with diploma/degree proof within 30 days of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough assessments via telephone and analyze information to assess for abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children and vulnerable adults.
• Research information systems to determine prior history for safety and risk assessment.
• Enter reports in the information system and assign cases for investigation.
• Receive and refer complaints against vendors and licensed facilities.
• Provide supportive assistance and referrals to persons in need.
• Maintain professional respect with staff and other professionals.

Skills

Stress management

Empathy

Independent work

Risk assessment

Communication

Active listening

Crisis management

Documentation

Multi-tasking

Professional communication

Tech proficiency

Flexible schedule

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or 60+ credits

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Information systems

Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

The State Personnel System is an E-Verify employer. For more information click on our E-Verify Website .

Requisition No:884310

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: ABUSE COUNSELOR OPS - 60930160

Part-time(nightsand weekends preferred)

This is not ateleworkpositionit reports to our Tallahassee office.

Current employees will be compensatedin accordance withthe DCF salary policy.

How you will make an impact:

This is professional work protecting children and vulnerable adultsas a Team Member atthe Florida Abuse Hotline. The employee(s)allocatedto this class,assessallegations of abuse, neglect or abandonment of children, and abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults. The employee(s) willdetermineif the information meets statutory criteria for an investigation or referral toan appropriate agency.

Whatyou willdo:

• Conduct thorough assessments via telephone and analyze information received electronicallytoassess for indicators of abuse, neglect, or abandonment of childrenandfor indicators of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults.
• Researchappropriate informationsystems todetermineprior history toassistin the safety and risk assessment of alleged victim(s).
• Enter reports in theappropriate informationsystem.
• Assign cases to appropriate Department of Children andFamilies Countyunits for investigation.
• Receive and refer, asappropriate, complaints against vendors, related licensed facilities, and department employees that may include human rights violations, inappropriate treatment, and inadequate services.
• Provide supportiveassistanceand referral servicesforpersonsin need.
• Maintain professional respect with field investigative staff, supervisors, and other adult and child protective service professionals in both public and private sectors.
• Performs other related work asrequired.

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 enforcementexperience 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:

• Intake Specialist
• Case Management
• Contact Center Experience(InboundCalls, ComplaintResolution)
• Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocaterole
• 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
• Law EnforcementDispatcher/Communications Officer
• Security/Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position
• Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity
• Otherwelfare, education, first responder, emergency managementor medicalprofessional jobs that occur in high-paced, high-stress environments that require critical decision-making to occur.

• OR
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions withanticipatedgraduation dates and creditsearned must be provided for all diploma/degree requirements.
• Proof of conferreddegreesuch as official transcripts or copy of diploma/degreemust be provided within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in written form.
• Ability to attend training. There is flexibility to attend training after hours. Training schedules may vary from actual working schedules based on business needs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Operate Under Stress: Make high-stakes decisions in chaotic environments.
• Stay Compassionate, Not Consumed:Keep your empathyand care for others.Don’tlet otherpeople’spain or emotions take over your well-being.
• Work Independently & Within Systems: 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: Quicklydeterminewhen intervention or immediate action is needed.
• Handle Sensitive Conversations: Talk respectfully with distressed adults, children, or professionals.
• Crisis De-escalation: Managing callers in emotional or volatile states.
• Active Listening & Interviewing: Extracting relevant information without leading or pressuring.
• Critical Thinking: Rapid synthesis of limited information to assess safety or urgency.
• Documentation: Accurately and neutrally recording facts in high-pressure situations whilemaintainingstrict confidentiality in both written and verbal communications.
• Multi-Tasking: Handling case notes, systems, and calls simultaneously.
• Professional Communication: Clear, calm, and empathetic tone across varied populations.
• Technologicalproficiency: Ability toutilizepersonal computer systems and associated applications, as well as learning how to navigate andutilizenew systems when necessary.
• Flexibility & Availability: Ability to work a schedule that includes evening, night, and weekend hours. Ability to report to work during natural disasters as essential personnel.

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,skillsand/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.

If youexperienceproblems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at [phone].

Additional Information/Requirements

This position may require evening, night, and weekend hours. It has also beendesignatedas an essential position. Incumbents are expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters and may berequiredto 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 willbe requiredto repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

The position will perform all job tasksin accordance withlaws, 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 isrequiredas a condition of employmentper F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.

OPSBenefits 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 including:
• No state income tax for residents of Florida
• State Group Insurance coverage options (for OPS employees who arereasonably expectedto work 30 hours or more per week on average), including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
• Savings & Spending Accounts;
• 401 (a) FICA Alternative Plan administered through VALIC
• 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.

Whereyou will work:

Florida is the only state that borders both the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. In other words, no matter where you land in Florida,you’renever more than 60 miles from a body of saltwater. Andif the beachisn’tyour scene, there are 175 state parks to explore! Meanwhile, Floridians hail from a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities, andwalks of life, making it an incredibly diverse melting pot that many residents and visitors to Florida love. The Sunshine State isa great placeto live and work – Come join our team!

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.

Vision:We are a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. 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.

Values:A workforce thatoperateswith integritymaintainsloyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of servicetothe vulnerable. We are a solutions-focused learningorganizationbuilt 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 ofopinionthat 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 (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.

For assistance, call the People First Service Center at [phone] 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.