Senior Child Protective Investigator

State of Florida

Senior Child Protective Investigator conducting investigations of child abuse and neglect. Collaborating with families and community resources to ensure children's safety and well-being.

Posted 7/9/2026full-timePanama City • Florida • 🇺🇸 United StatesSeniorWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & 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, identify needs and determine the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered dependency services;
provide 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 provides 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;
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.

Requirements

What you’ll need

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, to conduct risk and safety investigations, to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments.
To understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
To actively listen to others, and communicate effectively.
Ability to maintain well-executed case files, establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
To utilize computer systems.
Ability to write accurate investigative reports.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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.
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.

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Child Development ConsiderationCase File ManagementInvestigative Report WritingSafety Plan DevelopmentNeeds Assessment

Soft Skills

Active ListeningRelationship BuildingOrganizational Skills