Child Protective Investigator

Overview

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Date:
Jan 29, 2026

Agency:
Children and Families

Working Title:

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Position Number:

Salary: $50,000.08 annually / $1,923.08 bi-weekly

This posting will be used to fill position vacancies in OPS and Career Service. Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.

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Requisition No: 863939

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

• 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 to determine child safety
• 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 and ongoing child present and impending danger assessments
• Report indications of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline

• A high school diploma or GED equivalent and four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged or current service reflects honorably)
• OR 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 (honorably discharged or current service reflects honorably)

Examples of professional work experience could include, but are not limited to:

• Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role
• Family Support Worker
• Group Home Worker
• Teacher / Teacher’s Assistant / Aide
• Therapeutic Assistant
• Family Intervention Specialist
• Home Health Aide / CNA
• Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN) or similar
• Nursing Facility Assistant
• Paramedic / EMT
• Dispatcher
• Security / Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Deputy / Director or similar
• Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity
• Other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management or medical professional roles in high-paced, high-stress environments requiring critical decision-making

• OR a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university

Documentation:
An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcripts with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all degree requirements. Proof of conferred degree (official transcripts or copy of diploma) must be provided within 30 days of hire as a condition of employment.

• Must obtain a Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after provisional certification and maintain certification as a condition of employment.
• Valid Driver License; operation of a private vehicle for daily work; proof of vehicle registration and insurance within 30 days of hire. Vehicle Insurance Allowance provided by the Department.
• Ability to attend an 8–12 week mandatory training course, scheduled day, weekend, and evening hours.

• Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection.
• May require pre-interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.
• Bachelor’s or master’s in social work or related field preferred.

• This position requires night, weekend, and holiday work and is designated as essential. May work during emergency situations or natural disasters and beyond normal hours.
• Incumbents may be exposed to hazardous conditions in the field.

Follow policy and procedures, manage time, assess, plan, intervene, evaluate, document, engage, and collaborate; support professionals in areas including domestic violence, mental health, and substance abuse; establish effective relationships; demonstrate professional competencies.