SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60002400

My Florida Families; Florida; On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida Department of Children and Families is seeking a Senior Child Protective Investigator to conduct investigations into alleged abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children. The role emphasizes professional child protection practice and serves as a model for CPIs, with a 10-hour workday schedule (Saturday through Tuesday).

The incumbent will collect information via interviews, coordinate services, develop case plans, and testify in court when required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
• Knowledge of family-centered interview and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.
• Skilled in considering child development in guiding placement of children.
• Ability to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect.
• Ability to conduct risk and safety investigations.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
• Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Ability to actively listen to others.
• Ability to communicate effectively.
• Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to utilize computer systems.
• Ability to write accurate investigative reports.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case.
• Engage families, identify needs and determine the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services; provides services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
• Provide recommendations for development of case plan to Case Manager.
• Conduct initial/ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments.
• Develop with the family a signed Present Danger Plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions.
• Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in the home.
• Notify state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team and other required individuals as appropriate.
• Schedule and gathers information for and participates in case staffings,
• Prepare appropriate reports/documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide testimony in court.
• Maintain thorough documentation in the client records/appropriate information system(s) and maintains organized client files.
• Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build increased capacity in investigative skills.
• Provide case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with child protective investigations such as community based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community/agency resources.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of hearing Customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504 and shall manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to their designated program point of contact.

Skills

Child protection knowledge

Interviewing skills

Documentation skills

Communication skills

Case coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree

Social work degree preferred

Job description

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SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60002400

Date: Oct 28, 2026

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

Requisition No:886551

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60002400

Position Number:60002400

Salary: Compensation in accordance with the DCF salary policy

Martin County

What you will do

This is professional work protecting children, working with families and conducting investigations of alleged abused, abandoned, neglected or exploited children. This position will assume an individual contributor role and be a model of child protection practice to other Child Protective Investigators (CPIs).

Work schedule includes 10 hour days, Saturday through Tuesday.

All internal appointments will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

How you will make an impact

• Conduct investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through interviews with the children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case.
• Engage families, identifies needs and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services; provides services linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
• Provide recommendations for development of case plan to Case Manager.
• Conduct initial/ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments.
• Develop with the family a signed Present Danger Plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions.
• Arrange emergency placement for any child that cannot safely remain in the home.
• Notify state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team and other required individuals as appropriate.
• Schedule and gathers information for and participates in case staffings,
• Prepare appropriate reports/documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide testimony in court.
• Maintain thorough documentation in the client records/appropriate information system(s) and maintains organized client files.
• Report indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build increased capacity in investigative skills.
• Provide case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with child protective investigations such as community based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community/agency resources.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of hearing Customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and/or Section 504 and shall manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to their designated program point of contact.

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree (degree must be conferred at the time of application).
• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred.
• 1 year of child protective investigative experience.
• Must obtain Child Welfare Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification. All Investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment. Information regarding certification can be found at: Florida Certification Board
• Valid Driver License; and
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.

Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.

Knowledge of family-centered interview and counseling techniques.

Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.

Skilled in considering child development in guiding placement of children.

Ability to recognize indicators of abuse and neglect.

Ability to conduct risk and safety investigations.

Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.

Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

Ability to actively listen to others.

Ability to communicate effectively.

Ability to maintain well-executed case files.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

Ability to utilize computer systems.

Ability to write accurate investigative reports.

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 [phone].

The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, 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 is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace. 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.

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.

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. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. 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 . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.

Location

STUART, FL, US, 34984 STUART, FL, US, 34994 STUART, FL, US, 34996 STUART, FL, US, 34997

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.