Job Description

Requisition No: 872094 

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60021071

 Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60021071 

Salary: AGENCY TO UPDATE 

Posting Closing Date: 03/27/2026 

Total Compensation Estimator 

Senior Child Protective Investigator

Department of Children and Families

Port Charlotte, FL

Internal Only

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

What you will do :

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).

How you will make an impact :

• 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, identifies needs and determines 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.
• 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 gathers information for and participates in case staffings,
• 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 maintains 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 increased capacity in investigative skills.
• Provide case consultation and advises and/or co-investigates complex cases with other CPIs to assure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agenices 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 shall manage service records and report this data and any resources and/or training needs to their designated program point of contact.

Qualifications:

• 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 in high-paced, high-stress environments that require critical decision-making to occur.

(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 3: (a) A bachelor’s degree (degree must be conferred at the time of

application). Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred. (When applying please attach required education, certification or licensure). AND

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

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

(d) Valid Driver License; AND

(e) 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.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
• Knowledge of family-centered interview and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.
• Skilled in considering child development in guiding 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.
• Must be physically able and have the ability to perform the following physical agility tasks: a.) ambulate in varied terrains to enter residences/locations as well as up and down stairs/stairwells, b.)assist with evacuation of persons served during an emergency situation, c.) have normal vision and hearing, including use of corrective devices, d.) do repetitive movements with arms, hands, neck and head, e.) bend, twist, turn, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances, f.) lift and carry up to 30 pounds, g.) assist clients in and out of properties, vehicles and safety equipment/devices, h.) sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break, i.) work 16 hour shifts on occasion, j.) remain alert while on duty, k.) drive a vehicle (car or passenger van) to transport clients, during both daytime hours and nighttime hours.

Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.

• Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
• Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
• Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
• It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
• If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.

Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:

Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits.

For a more complete list of benefits, visit .

Growth Opportunities:

With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Our jobs are among the most challenging, complex, and difficult in State government. They are also among the most rewarding. All employees are encouraged to take advantage of available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.

About Department of Children and Families:

Mission: The mission of the Department of Children and Families is to work in partnership with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resiliency.

Vision: We are a highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex and varied needs to achieve the best outcomes for themselves and their families. In collaboration with community stakeholders, we will deliver world class and continuously improving service focused on providing the people we serve with the level and quality that we would demand and expect for our own families.

Values: A workforce that operates with integrity maintains loyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and accountability of results. Both within the organization and among our stakeholders, we thrive in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication. High performing and committed, we are unified in our goal of excellence in achieving quality outcomes for those we serve.

To learn more please visit .

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.

The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.

We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.

Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113 , and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.

SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: .

BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.

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. Veterans’ Preference documentation requirements are available by clicking here . All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement. 

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