Senior Child Protective Investigator

Senior Child Protective Investigator -

Date:
Jan 5, 2026

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Requisition No: 867578

Agency:
Children and Families

Working Title:

SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

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

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).

• 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.
• 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 participate in case staffings, and gather information as needed.
• 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 maintain organized client files.
• Report indications 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 advise and/or co-investigate complex cases with other CPIs to ensure 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 manage service records and report data and training needs to the designated program point of contact.

• Criteria 1: (a) A high school diploma or GED equivalent AND

(b) Four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or status that current service reflects serving honorably); AND

(c) Minimum 1.5 years/18 months of Child Welfare Experience, preferred in Child Protective Investigations AND

(d) Current/Active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board AND

(e) Valid Driver License AND

(f) 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. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of private vehicle for work purposes.

OR

• Criteria 2: (a) AA Degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university AND

(b) 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) AND

Examples of Professional Work Experience

Guardian Ad Litem or similar Child Advocate Role

Family Support Worker

Group Home Worker

Teacher's Assistant/Aide

Family Intervention Specialist

EMT

Case Manager

Other welfare, education or medical professional jobs that occur…