CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60039513

My Florida Families; Ocala, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 43,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Children and Families in Florida is seeking a Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations of abuse and neglect, assess danger, and arrange emergency placements to protect vulnerable children. The role emphasizes rapid decision-making, interviewing diverse stakeholders, and documenting findings for protective actions.

The position requires relevant education or experience, licensure, and commitment to training.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED plus four years of law enforcement or active military service.
• An associate degree or 60+ credit hours with two years of professional work experience.
• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Proof of conferred degree within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.
• Must obtain Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification within 12 months after provisional certification.
• Must possess a valid driver's license and operate a private vehicle for daily work activities.
• Must complete an 8–12 week mandatory training course.

Responsibilities

• 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 to determine safety.
• 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.

Skills

Law enforcement experience

Interviewing

Observation

Decision making

Documentation

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree / 60+ credits

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

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CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60039513

Date: Oct 9, 2026

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

Requisition No:885332

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60039513

Position Number:60039513

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

This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in OPSandCareer Service.

Current employees will be compensatedin accordance withthe DCF salary polic y.

How you will make an impact:

Be The One Who Shows Up!

Children 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 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. When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the life of a child.

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 the ir home;
• Notify state attorney, law enforcement and child protection team s;
• Provide families with service linkages to agency and community resources;
• Conduct initial/ongoing child present and impending danger assessments;
• Reportindicationof abuse,neglectand/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

Qualifications:

A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of lawenforcementexperience 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);

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
• Teache r / 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
• Dispatcher
• Security /Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position
• Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity
• 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 .

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 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 obtaina Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification. All Investigators mustmaintaincertification as a condition of employment. Informationregardingcertification can be found at: Florida Certification Board

Valid Driver License; and

Mustpossessoperational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selectedcandidatesare required toprovide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of theappropriate insurancecoveragewithin 30 days ofhire as a condition of employment. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance toassistwith the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of private vehicle for work purposes.

Ability to attend an 8 -12-weekmandatory training course. This training could be scheduled during day, weekend, and evening hours.

Special Notes:

Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection .

May require successful completion of pre-interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.

Bachelor’s or master’sdegree in social work or related field preferred.

Additional Information/Requirements

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,takingappropriate actionsrelated toDomestic Violence, Mental Health,and/orSubstance Abuse,EstablishingEffective 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.

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.

Benefits 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.

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.

DCF is focused on investing in its world-class workforce!

Where you 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 that operates with integrity maintains loyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility