SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60002554

About the Role

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

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through interviews with children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case.
• Engage families, identify needs, and determine the level of intervention needed, including voluntary services or court-ordered dependency services; provide service linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
• Provide recommendations for the development of case plans to Case Managers.
• Conduct initial and 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 the state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team, and other required individuals as appropriate.
• Schedule and gather information for, and participate in, case staffings.
• Prepare appropriate reports/documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide testimony in court.
• Maintain thorough documentation in client records/appropriate information system(s) and maintain organized client files.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved in 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 manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to the designated program point of contact.

Requirements

• Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
• Knowledge of family-centered interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.
• Skill in considering child development in guiding the 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.

Pay

$54,500.16

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.