Senior Adult Protective Investigator - 60021362

Requisition No: 827405

Agency: Children and Families

Working Title: SENIOR ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR - 60021362

Pay Plan: Career Service

Position Number: 60021362

Salary: 36,860.20

Posting Closing Date: 05/14/2024

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SENIOR ADULT PROTECTIVE INVESTIGATOR

OCCUPATION PROFILE

JOB FAMILY: COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICES

OCCUPATIONAL GROUP: COUNSELING AND SOCIAL WORK

OCCUPATION: COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL SERVICE SPECIALISTS, ALL OTHER

ANNOUNCEMENT TYPE: Open Competitive

CAREER SERVICE: Included

SALARY: 36,860.20 Annually (1,417.70 bi-weekly) or 7.5% increase to current API salary

LOCATION: Hillsborough County (Tampa, Florida)

• This position may be eligible for remote work.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter explaining qualifications and experience as an Adult Protective Investigator which makes you one of the ideal candidates for the positions.

DESCRIPTION:

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 (i.e. mental health and assisted living facilities, nursing homes, etc.)

In addition to the regular duties of an Adult Protective Investigator, the Senior Adult Protective Investigator serves as a mentor to adult protective investigators. Responsible for mentoring adult protective investigators by taking them out to shadow prior to preservice training, orientation to community and state agency partners, and serves as the new API's mentor and contact during the probationary period. Serves as the Acting Unit Supervisor when the Adult Protective Investigations Supervisor is unavailable by reviewing new intakes from the Florida Abuse Hotline for appropriateness; assigns investigations as appropriate; completes critical and thorough review of submitted safety assessments, 30-day reviews and closures timely. Liaises with Operations Program Administrator and the APS Program Office regarding unit training needs, staffing issues and heightened mentoring/coaching requirements for new adult protective investigators.

Appointment will be based on scoring of Application, panel Interview assessment, and Writing Sample.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of investigative techniques and practices

• Experience in emergency, tactical or customer/public complaint interactions utilizing communication technology, including basic computer and typing skills

• Knowledge of interviewing and observation techniques

• Knowledge of family dynamics and functioning

• Knowledge of F.S. Chapter 415, Adult Protective Services Act and the Department of Children and Families, Adult Protective Investigations and Services Policy and Procedures.

• Skill in researching and utilization of internet sites to gather information

• Ability to assess service needs and facilitate appropriate service delivery

• Ability to write professional, accurate investigative reports

• Ability to conduct fact-finding interviews

• Ability to understand and apply relevant laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures

• Ability to collect and synthesize evidentiary materials

• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate work assignments

• Ability to actively listen, communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with others

• Ability to utilize computer systems and work in a paperless environment

• Ability to mentor and coach new and existing protective investigators.

This work requires a high degree of tact, patience, and courtesy dealing with vulnerable adults. Incumbents in this class must be able to maintain a calm, professional demeanor while handling a variety of emergency and non-emergency calls. The work requires independent judgment and initiative to complete field assignments. Typing and good time management skills are necessary for this job.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The examples of work as listed in this class specification are not necessarily descriptive of any one position in the class. The omission of specific statements does not preclude management from assigning specific duties not listed herein if such duties are a logical assignment to the position.

• May be assigned to special assignments within the circuit.

• Serves as a mentor to unit adult protective investigators. Responsible for mentoring adult protective investigators and serves as a mentor for new Adult Protective Investigators during their probationary period.

• Serves as the Acting Unit Supervisor when the Adult Protective Investigations Supervisor is unavailable or on extended leave.

• Liaises with the APS Program Office regarding unit training needs, staffing issues and heightened mentoring/coaching requirements for new adult protective investigators.

• Conducts investigations regarding allegations of abuse, neglect, financial exploitation or self-neglect of vulnerable adults;

• Makes on site visits to assess risk 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 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;

• Provides expert testimony and documentation in matters relating to abuse, neglect, abandonment and exploitation when judicial action is necessary.

• Maintains thorough documentation in the appropriate database information system(s)

• Reports suspicion of abuse, neglect, exploitation or self-neglect to the Florida Abuse Hotline;

• Evaluates evidence from investigations and prepares reports of findings;

• 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.

• Performs duties as assigned in the evenings, weekends, and holidays on a rotating basis.

• Conducts personal interviews with subjects and collaterals of the reports and collect evidentiary information through observations and materials.

• Accurately prepares investigative reports and petitions for court proceedings

• The incumbent will perform all job tasks in accordance with laws, rules, regulations, policies, and requirements applicable to state and federal laws or procedures

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• History of employment with the Florida Department of Children and Families. Preference will be given to current Adult Protective Investigators.

• Has successfully completed preservice training, has demonstrated competency of core investigative skills, and meets minimum performance expectations.

• Demonstrates the ability to communicate clearly and accurately, both orally and in written form.

• Demonstrates the ability to mentor and coach protective investigators.

• Demonstrates the ability to act as a backup supervisor.

• Must not have any form of formal or informal disciplinary or performance issues in the past 24 months.

REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid driver's license and safe driving history.

• Must own, or have access to, a licensed, operational, insured automobile that would be available for completing fieldwork daily. (Prior to employment proof of the required level of automobile insurance must be provided)

• Must be able to work weekends and schedules on a rotating basis as necessary. This position has been deemed "essential" by the department; staff are expected to work when State offices are closed to the public by emergency order.

SPECIAL NOTE: To be considered for employment, State of Florida Employment Applications must be up-to-date. Experience, education and/or training used to meet the minimum qualifications, and in response to the pre-qualifying questions, must be verifiable through information contained in your application. It is unacceptable to use the statement "See Resume" in place of including work history and job duties on the application.

The State of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer, and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.

Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.

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. Certain service members may be eligible to receive waivers for postsecondary educational requirements. 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. All documentation is due by the close of the vacancy announcement.