Adult Protective Investigator
Adult Protective Investigator
Department of Children and Families
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
Open Competitive
What you will do:
This professional position investigates allegations of abuse, neglect, self-neglect and financial exploitation against vulnerable adults and the mitigation of the risk factors involved. Clients served include those residing in the community and alternative care facilities. Vulnerable adults 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 adults who cannot protect themselves and fight to help ensure their safety and independence.
How you will make an impact:
- Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults;
- Works closely with law enforcement and partner agencies such as the Department of Elder Affairs; Agency for Persons with Disabilities and the Agency for Health Care Administration;
- Collects information through observation and interviews with the vulnerable adults, relatives, and other parties associated with the case, as well as analysis of criminal, past service history and other records;
- Identifies the service needs of the vulnerable adult and determines the level of intervention needed to include voluntary services or court ordered protective services;
- Assesses the mental capacity of the vulnerable adult, danger threats, vulnerabilities, and caregiver capacities in order to determine whether a vulnerable adult is safe or not safe;
- Assists victims with temporary emergency shelter placement and other emergency services
- Notifies state attorney, law enforcement, state agencies and other required individuals as appropriate;
- Provides vulnerable adults with service linkages to agency and community resources;
- Establishes and maintains working relationships with organizations involved with adult protective investigations such as community services, advocacy groups, law enforcement, medical personnel, schools, and other community resources.
Qualifications:
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience in one or more of the following areas: Florida Abuse Hotline, developmental services, law enforcement investigations, licensed health care, aging and adult services, licensed child day care, mental health. (When applying please attach required education, certification, or licensure).
- Some specific college education degrees can substitute for experience. Examples of preferred degrees are: All Social Sciences degrees such as Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Gerontology, and Criminal Justice.
- Degree must be conferred at the time of application.
- Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in written form.
- Valid Driver License; and
- Must possess operational private vehicle for use in the performance of daily work activities. Selected applicants are required to provide proof of vehicle registration and documentation of the appropriate insurance coverage. The Department provides a Vehicle Insurance Allowance to assist with the cost of insurance coverage due to the use of private vehicle for work purposes.
- Ability to attend a 4 - 8-week mandatory training course that could be scheduled during day, weekend, and 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 pre-interview assessment or work sample to be eligible for interview.
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, Professional Competencies, ,
Candidate Profile (application) must be completed in its entirety.
- Include supervisor names and phone numbers for all periods of employment.
- Account for and explain any gaps in employment so that the hiring process is not delayed.
- Experience, education, training, knowledge, skills and/or abilities as well as responses to pre-qualifying questions must be verifiable to meet the minimum qualifications.
- It is unacceptable to use the statement “See Resume” in place of entering work history.
- If you experience problems applying online, please call the People First Service Center at (877) 562-7287.
Additional Information/Requirements
- 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.
- Incumbents may be exposed to possible hazardous conditions in the field.
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 including:
- No state income tax for residents of Florida;
- Annual and Sick Leave benefits;
- Nine paid holidays and one Personal Holiday each year;
- State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options;
- Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
- (For more information, please click www.myfrs.com);
- Flexible Spending Accounts;
- Tuition waivers;
- And more!
Growth Opportunities:
With 12,000 employees across the state DCF promotes opportunities and training for all. Our jobs are among the most challenging, complex, and difficult in State government. They are also among the most rewarding. All employees are encouraged to take advantage of available Department opportunities for advancement and professional development.
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. In collaboration with community stakeholders, we will deliver world class and continuously improving service focused on providing the people we serve with the level and quality that we would demand and expect for our own families.
Values: A workforce that operates with integrity maintains loyalty to a code of ethics that requires the courage to take responsibility for providing the highest quality of service to the vulnerable. We are a solutions-focused learning organization built on a foundation of transparency in action and accountability of results. Both within the organization and among our stakeholders, we thrive in a culture of respect for diversity of opinion that is nurtured through open communication. High performing and committed, we are unified in our goal of excellence in achieving quality outcomes for those we serve.
To learn more please visit https://www.myflfamilies.com/.
- If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be suspended or voided, and you will be required to repay all benefits received depending upon the date of your retirement.
- The position will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures.
- We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
- Participation in the State of Florida Direct Deposit Program is required as a condition of employment per F.S. 110.113, and enrollment must be completed within the first 30 calendar days of your appointment.
SELECTIVE SERVICE: Male candidates born on or after October 1, 1962, will not be eligible for hire or promotion into an authorized position unless they are registered with the Selective Service System (SSS) before their 26th birthday or have a Letter of Registration Exemption from the SSS. Verification of Selective Service registration will be conducted prior to hire. For more information, please visit the SSS website: http://www.sss.gov.
BACKGROUND SCREENING REQUIREMENT: It is the policy of the Florida Department of Children and Families that any applicant being considered for employment must successfully complete a State and National criminal history check as a condition of employment before beginning employment, and also be screened in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 435, F.S., and, if applicable, Chapter 408, F.S. No applicant may begin employment until the background screening results are received, reviewed for any disqualifying offenses, and approved by the Agency. Background screening shall include, but not be limited to, fingerprinting for State and Federal criminal records checks through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and may include local criminal history checks through local law enforcement agencies.
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