People First Service Center
SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60070196
People First Service Center, Ocala, Florida, United States, 34470
SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60070196
Date: Oct 23, 2025
Requisition No: 863863
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60070196
Position Number: 60070196
Salary: $2,096.16 bi-weekly / $54,516.00 annually **
Senior Child Protective Investigator - CAC Unit
Department of Children and Families
Marion County – Ocala, FL
Internal Only
**Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.
What you will do:
This position is an individual contributor role focused on protecting children, working with families, and conducting investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, abandonment, isolated, or exploited children. You will serve as a model of child protection practice for 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 children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties involved in the case.
Engage families, identify needs, and determine appropriate intervention levels, including voluntary services or court-ordered dependency services, and link families to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
Recommend case plan development to the Case Manager.
Conduct initial and ongoing child present and impending danger assessments.
Develop a signed present danger plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions.
Arrange emergency placement for children who cannot safely remain in the home.
Notify state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team, and other required individuals as appropriate.
Schedule and participate in case staffings.
Prepare reports and documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide testimony in court.
Maintain thorough documentation in client records and appropriate information systems, keeping organized client files.
Report indications of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build investigative capacity.
Provide case consultation and co-investigate complex cases with other CPIs to ensure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources.
Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and / or Section 504, and manage service records and report data and resources to the designated program point of contact.
Qualifications Criteria 1:
A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged).
Minimum 1.5 years (18 months) of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
Criteria 2:
Associate degree or 60+ college/university credit hours.
Two years of professional work experience (e.g., guardian ad litem, family support worker, group home worker, teacher's assistant, family intervention specialist, EMT, case manager, or other high-stress professional roles).
Minimum 1.5 years of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
Criteria 3:
A bachelor’s degree (degree must be conferred at time of application); degree in social work or related field preferred.
Minimum 1.5 years of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
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.
Skillful consideration of child development in placement decisions.
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.
Active listening skills.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Computer system proficiency.
Accurate investigative report writing.
Candidate Profile
Complete the candidate profile in full.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
Explain any employment gaps to avoid delays in hiring.
Provide verifiable experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities as required for minimum qualifications.
Do not use “See Resume” instead of entering work history.
If application issues arise, contact People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287.
Benefits of Working for the State of Florida Working for the State of Florida provides a highly competitive total compensation package, including benefits, training, and professional development opportunities. DCF promotes advancement for all employees.
About Department of Children and Families Mission:
To partner with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resilience.
Vision:
A highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex needs to achieve the best outcomes, collaborating with community stakeholders to deliver world‑class services.
Values:
Integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for diversity.
Retirees of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) should check with FRS on benefit changes upon reemployment.
Position responsibilities comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Legal and Hiring Requirements U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers only. Direct deposit is required within 30 days of appointment. Selective Service registration required for male candidates born after October 1, 1962. Background screening via state and national criminal history checks is mandatory before hire.
Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. Discrimination or violence in the workplace is not tolerated.
Veterans’ Preference: Veterans eligible documentation must be attached. Information available upon request.
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Requisition No: 863863
Agency: Children and Families
Working Title: SENIOR CHILD PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60070196
Position Number: 60070196
Salary: $2,096.16 bi-weekly / $54,516.00 annually **
Senior Child Protective Investigator - CAC Unit
Department of Children and Families
Marion County – Ocala, FL
Internal Only
**Current employees will be compensated in accordance with the DCF salary policy.
What you will do:
This position is an individual contributor role focused on protecting children, working with families, and conducting investigations of alleged abuse, neglect, abandonment, isolated, or exploited children. You will serve as a model of child protection practice for 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 children, parents, relatives, neighbors, and other parties involved in the case.
Engage families, identify needs, and determine appropriate intervention levels, including voluntary services or court-ordered dependency services, and link families to agency and community resources based on needs assessment.
Recommend case plan development to the Case Manager.
Conduct initial and ongoing child present and impending danger assessments.
Develop a signed present danger plan and a signed safety plan for any identified threats and interventions.
Arrange emergency placement for children who cannot safely remain in the home.
Notify state attorney, law enforcement, child protection team, and other required individuals as appropriate.
Schedule and participate in case staffings.
Prepare reports and documentation in coordination with Children’s Legal Services and provide testimony in court.
Maintain thorough documentation in client records and appropriate information systems, keeping organized client files.
Report indications of abuse, neglect, and/or abandonment to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
Provide subject matter expertise to help less experienced CPIs build investigative capacity.
Provide case consultation and co-investigate complex cases with other CPIs to ensure appropriateness, clarity, quality, and thoroughness.
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with community-based providers, Children’s Legal Services, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources.
Ensure effective communication with deaf or hard-of-hearing customers or companions in accordance with the ADA and / or Section 504, and manage service records and report data and resources to the designated program point of contact.
Qualifications Criteria 1:
A high school diploma or GED equivalent.
Four years of law enforcement experience or active military service (honorably discharged).
Minimum 1.5 years (18 months) of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
Criteria 2:
Associate degree or 60+ college/university credit hours.
Two years of professional work experience (e.g., guardian ad litem, family support worker, group home worker, teacher's assistant, family intervention specialist, EMT, case manager, or other high-stress professional roles).
Minimum 1.5 years of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
Criteria 3:
A bachelor’s degree (degree must be conferred at time of application); degree in social work or related field preferred.
Minimum 1.5 years of child welfare experience, preferred in child protective investigations.
Current or active child welfare certification credentials from the Florida Certification Board.
Training in and practice of Florida Safety Practice Method.
Valid driver’s license.
Operational private vehicle for use in daily work, with required proof of registration, insurance, and vehicle insurance allowance.
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.
Skillful consideration of child development in placement decisions.
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.
Active listening skills.
Effective communication skills.
Ability to maintain well-executed case files.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Computer system proficiency.
Accurate investigative report writing.
Candidate Profile
Complete the candidate profile in full.
Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
Explain any employment gaps to avoid delays in hiring.
Provide verifiable experience, education, training, knowledge, skills, and abilities as required for minimum qualifications.
Do not use “See Resume” instead of entering work history.
If application issues arise, contact People First Service Center at (877) 562‑7287.
Benefits of Working for the State of Florida Working for the State of Florida provides a highly competitive total compensation package, including benefits, training, and professional development opportunities. DCF promotes advancement for all employees.
About Department of Children and Families Mission:
To partner with local communities to protect the vulnerable, promote strong and economically self-sufficient families, and advance personal and family recovery and resilience.
Vision:
A highly skilled workforce committed to empowering people with complex needs to achieve the best outcomes, collaborating with community stakeholders to deliver world‑class services.
Values:
Integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for diversity.
Retirees of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) should check with FRS on benefit changes upon reemployment.
Position responsibilities comply with all applicable laws and regulations.
Legal and Hiring Requirements U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers only. Direct deposit is required within 30 days of appointment. Selective Service registration required for male candidates born after October 1, 1962. Background screening via state and national criminal history checks is mandatory before hire.
Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer. Discrimination or violence in the workplace is not tolerated.
Veterans’ Preference: Veterans eligible documentation must be attached. Information available upon request.
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