People First Service Center
CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60047235
People First Service Center, Tallahassee, Florida, us, 32318
CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60047235
Date: Oct 28, 2025
Requisition No: 864209
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60047235
Position Number: 60047235
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.
How you will make an impact: 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 detail 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 (examples include child advocate, family support worker, group home worker, teacher/assistant/aide, therapeutic assistant, family intervention specialist, home health aide, CNA, LPN, RN, nursing facility assistant, paramedic/EMT, dispatcher, security/safety officer, emergency management deputy/director, investigator, and other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management or medical professional jobs that occur in high‑paced, high‑stress environments requiring critical decision‑making) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service
or
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Proof of education and qualifications 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 obtaining provisional certification. All investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.
Valid Driver License
Must possess an operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected candidates are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and coverage within 30 days of hire.
Ability to attend an 8–12 week mandatory training course. This training may be scheduled during day, weekend, or evening hours.
Special Notes
Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by agency needs at the time of selection.
May require successful completion of a pre‑interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred.
Additional Information / Requirements
This position requires night, weekend, and holiday work. It is an essential position with potential for emergency and extended work hours.
Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Following policy and procedures, managing time, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, documenting, engaging, teaming, taking appropriate actions related to domestic violence, mental health, and/or substance abuse, establishing effective relationships with colleagues, and professional competencies. Must be physically able to perform tasks including ambulate in varied terrains, assist with evacuations, maintain vision and hearing, perform repetitive movements, bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances, lift up to 30 pounds, assist clients in and out of properties and vehicles, sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break, work 16‑hour shifts on occasion, remain alert, and drive a vehicle during day and night.
Candidate Profile
Application must be completed in its entirety.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
Explain any employment gaps to avoid delays.
Responses to pre‑qualifying questions must be verifiable.
Do not use “See resume” in place of detailed work history.
If problems applying online, call 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 includes competitive benefits, opportunities for advancement, training, and professional development.
Where you will work Florida offers diverse communities, state parks, and proximity to coastlines. The Sunshine State is an inviting place to live and work.
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, collaborating with community stakeholders to deliver world‑class, continuously improving service focused on the people we serve.
Values: A workforce that operates with integrity, loyalty to a code of ethics, and courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions‑focused learning organization building on transparency, accountability, respect for diversity, and high performance.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with FRS regarding benefits if re‑employed.
The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements.
Only U.S. citizens and authorized alien workers are hired.
Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required within 30 days of hire.
SELECTIVE SERVICE Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must be registered with the Selective Service System before their 26th birthday or have an exemption letter. Verification will be conducted prior to hire.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT Background and criminal history checks, including fingerprinting, are required. Drug testing is also required. Background screening results must be approved before employment. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a drug‑free workplace.
Veterans’ Preference Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible veterans receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies.
Location TALLAHASSEE, FL 32303, 32301, 32309, 32399, 32308, 32304, 32305, 32310, 32307, 32311, 32316, 32317, 32312, 32302
For assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287 Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Requisition No: 864209
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60047235
Position Number: 60047235
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.
How you will make an impact: 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 detail 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 (examples include child advocate, family support worker, group home worker, teacher/assistant/aide, therapeutic assistant, family intervention specialist, home health aide, CNA, LPN, RN, nursing facility assistant, paramedic/EMT, dispatcher, security/safety officer, emergency management deputy/director, investigator, and other welfare, education, first responder, emergency management or medical professional jobs that occur in high‑paced, high‑stress environments requiring critical decision‑making) or two years of law enforcement experience or active military service
or
A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
Proof of education and qualifications 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 obtaining provisional certification. All investigators must maintain certification as a condition of employment.
Valid Driver License
Must possess an operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected candidates are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and coverage within 30 days of hire.
Ability to attend an 8–12 week mandatory training course. This training may be scheduled during day, weekend, or evening hours.
Special Notes
Language proficiency may be considered in the selection process as determined by agency needs at the time of selection.
May require successful completion of a pre‑interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work or related field preferred.
Additional Information / Requirements
This position requires night, weekend, and holiday work. It is an essential position with potential for emergency and extended work hours.
Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Following policy and procedures, managing time, assessing, planning, intervening, evaluating, documenting, engaging, teaming, taking appropriate actions related to domestic violence, mental health, and/or substance abuse, establishing effective relationships with colleagues, and professional competencies. Must be physically able to perform tasks including ambulate in varied terrains, assist with evacuations, maintain vision and hearing, perform repetitive movements, bend, twist, kneel, stoop, squat, push, pull, lift and walk extended distances, lift up to 30 pounds, assist clients in and out of properties and vehicles, sit and/or stand for periods of time without a break, work 16‑hour shifts on occasion, remain alert, and drive a vehicle during day and night.
Candidate Profile
Application must be completed in its entirety.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
Explain any employment gaps to avoid delays.
Responses to pre‑qualifying questions must be verifiable.
Do not use “See resume” in place of detailed work history.
If problems applying online, call 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 includes competitive benefits, opportunities for advancement, training, and professional development.
Where you will work Florida offers diverse communities, state parks, and proximity to coastlines. The Sunshine State is an inviting place to live and work.
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, collaborating with community stakeholders to deliver world‑class, continuously improving service focused on the people we serve.
Values: A workforce that operates with integrity, loyalty to a code of ethics, and courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions‑focused learning organization building on transparency, accountability, respect for diversity, and high performance.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with FRS regarding benefits if re‑employed.
The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements.
Only U.S. citizens and authorized alien workers are hired.
Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required within 30 days of hire.
SELECTIVE SERVICE Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, must be registered with the Selective Service System before their 26th birthday or have an exemption letter. Verification will be conducted prior to hire.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT Background and criminal history checks, including fingerprinting, are required. Drug testing is also required. Background screening results must be approved before employment. The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports a drug‑free workplace.
Veterans’ Preference Pursuant to Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, eligible veterans receive preference in employment for Career Service vacancies.
Location TALLAHASSEE, FL 32303, 32301, 32309, 32399, 32308, 32304, 32305, 32310, 32307, 32311, 32316, 32317, 32312, 32302
For assistance, call the People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287 Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
#J-18808-Ljbffr