Frontline Child Protective Investigator: Protecting Kids

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission; Leesburg (FL); Hybrid; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Children and Families seeks a Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations into abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions affecting children. You will collect information through interviews with the child, family, and community, assess danger and vulnerability, and coordinate emergency placement when needed.

This role requires a valid Florida driver license, private vehicle for daily work, and completion of an 8–12 week training.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service.
• 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.
• Examples of professional work experience could be, although not limited to :
• 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.
• Must obtain a Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification.
• Valid Driver License; and
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities.
• Ability to attend 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 in order to determine whether a child is safe;
• 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

Detail oriented

Decision making

Interviews

High-pressure environment

Empathy/compassion

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate degree or 60+ credit hours

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Florida Department of Children and Families seeks a Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations into abuse, neglect, abandonment, and special conditions affecting children. You will collect information through interviews with the child, family, and community, assess danger and vulnerability, and coordinate emergency placement when needed.

This role requires a valid Florida driver license, private vehicle for daily work, and completion of an 8–12 week training.