Child Protective Investigator

Overview

Requisition No: 863338

Agency:
Children and Families

Working Title:

CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR -

Pay Plan:
Career Service

Position Number:

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

Posting Closing Date: 02/06/2026

Total Compensation Estimator Tool

Child Protective Investigator

Department of Children and Families

Lake City, Florida

Open Competitive

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.

• 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 whether a child is safe;
• 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/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 status that current service reflects serving 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 status that current service reflects serving honorably);

Examples of professional work experience could include:
Guardian Ad Litem or similar child advocate role;
Family Support Worker;
Group Home Worker;
Teacher / Teacher’s Assistant / Aide;
Daycare Provider/Worker;
Therapeutic Assistant;
Behavioral Health Technician;
Family Intervention Specialist;
Home Health Aide/CNA;
Healthcare Practitioner (LPN, RN) or similar;
Nursing Facility Assistant;
Paramedic / EMT;
Firefighter;
Dispatcher;
Security/Safety Officer;
Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar;
Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity; or 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.

An official letter from the college/university registrar or unofficial transcriptions with anticipated graduation dates and credits earned must be provided for all degree requirements. Proof of conferred degree such as 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. All Investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.
• Valid Driver License; and
• Must possess an operational private vehicle for work; provide proof of vehicle registration and insurance within 30 days of hire. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with insurance costs due to use of private vehicle for work purposes.
• Ability to attend an 8-12 week mandatory training course (training may be day, weekend, or evening).

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

• This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work. It has also been designated as an essential position. Incumbents are expected to work during emergencies or disasters and may be required to work beyond normal hours.
• Incumbents may be exposed to hazardous conditions in the field.

Following policy and…