Child Protective Investigator

Requisition No: 885334

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60072743

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60072743

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

Posting Closing Date: 10/18/2026

How you will make an impact:

Be The One Who Shows Up!

Children in crisis need quick action from strong, compassionate individuals dedicated to ensuring their safety. This demanding and challenging career could be your opportunity to speak for those with no voice and fight to help ensure the safety of those who cannot protect themselves. We are looking for people who are detailed-oriented, possess good decision-making skills, and can thrive in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment. When seconds count, your career decision may be the critical difference in the life of a child.

What you will do:

• 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 in order 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 indication of abuse, neglect and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.

Qualifications:

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 be, although not limited to:

• 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 profession
• Nursing Facility Assistant
• Paramedic/EMT
• Firefighter
• Dispatcher
• Security/Safety Officer
• Emergency Management Deputy/Director or similar position
• Investigator (sworn/non-sworn) for a government entity

OR A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Must obtain a Florida Child Protective Investigator Certification from the Florida Certification Board within 12 months after obtaining provisional certification. All Investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.

Valid Driver License; and must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities.

Special Notes:

Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by Agency needs at the time of selection.

This position will require night, weekend, and holiday work. It has also been designated as an essential position. Incumbents are expected to work during emergency situations or natural disasters and may be required to work before, during and beyond normal work hours/days.

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 www.mybenefits.myflorida.com.