ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60055809

Florida; Lakeland (FL); On-site; USD 33,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

The Florida Department of Children and Families is seeking an Adult Protective Investigator to protect vulnerable adults and prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation. This role serves community residents and facilities, offering opportunities to advocate for safety and independence.

You will conduct rapid assessments, coordinate emergency services, gather evidence, and collaborate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to deliver justice and wrap around services for those in need.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED with four years of law enforcement or active military service.
• Associate degree or 60+ credit hours with two years of professional work experience or two years in law enforcement/military.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Responsibilities

• Investigate allegations of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation and work to prevent reoccurrence.
• Meet the vulnerable adult in person within 24 hours to assess safety concerns and capacity.
• Coordinate emergency services including medical evaluations, temporary placement, and court intervention when needed.
• Gather critical information through interviews, observations, and records review.
• Coordinate with state agencies, law enforcement, and prosecutors to pursue justice.
• Connect adults with community resources to improve quality of life and safety.
• Build relationships with organizations involved in adult protective investigations.

Education

High school diploma/GED

Associate degree or 60+ credit hours

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

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ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60055809

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

Requisition No:880641

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60055809

Position Number:60055809

Salary: $37,000.08 annually / $1,423.08 bi-weekly

This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in OPS or Career Service.

Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

How you will make an impact :

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.

What you will do :

• 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. After one year of successful employment, you will be eligible to participate and upon completion, receive a salary increase.

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.

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

Therapeutic Assistant

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