SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60050819

$54,500 - $54,500/Yr

State of Florida - Lakeland, FL

Full-time - Senior

Lakeland, FL

Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support

About the position

The Senior Child Protective Investigator is responsible for protecting children by conducting investigations into allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation. This role involves working closely with families to assess their needs and determine appropriate interventions, while also serving as a model of child protection practice for other investigators.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, abandonment, and/or special conditions for children.
• Collect information through interviews with children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties associated with the case.
• Engage families, identify needs, and determine the level of intervention needed, including voluntary services or court-ordered dependency services.
• Provide service linkages to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
• Provide recommendations for the development of case plans to Case Managers.
• Conduct initial and ongoing child Present and Impending Danger assessments.
• Develop signed Present Danger Plans and safety plans for identified threats and interventions with the family.
• 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 and appropriate information systems, and maintain organized client files.
• Report indications of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with organizations and other agencies involved with child protective investigations.
• Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA.

Requirements

• Knowledge of theories and practice in child protection.
• Knowledge of professional ethics relating to child protection and counseling.
• Knowledge of family-centered interviewing and counseling techniques.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques.
• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques.
• Skill 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.

Benefits

• Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer
• Drug-Free workplace
• Veterans' Preference