Senior Child Protective Investigator

Overview

SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Date:
Jan 1, 2026

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Requisition No: 863863

Agency:
Children and Families

Working Title:

SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Position Number:

Salary: $2,096.16 bi-weekly / $54,516.00 annually

Department:
Department of Children and Families – Marion County, Ocala, FL

Internal Only

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; provide 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 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/information systems and maintain 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 capacity in investigative skills.

• Provide case consultation 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 (e.g., community-based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources).

• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers in accordance with the ADA and Section 504, and manage service records and reporting.

Criteria 1:

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent AND
• 4 years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or current service reflects serving honorably)

AND

• Minimum 1.5 years/18 months (post provisional certification) of Child Welfare Experience, preferred in Child Protective Investigations

Current/Active Child Welfare Certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board

AND

• Must be trained and practicing Florida's Safety Practice method.
• Valid Driver License;
• Must possess operational private vehicle for use in daily work. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and insurance. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of a private vehicle for work purposes.

OR

Criteria 2:

• AA Degree or 60+ credit hours from an accredited college or university AND
• (2) years of professional work experience or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service

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 professional jobs that occur in high-paced,…