What does a child protective investigator do?
A child protective investigator is responsible for investigating incident reports for child-violating cases, collecting court evidence of child abuse, and keeping the child under safe custody for protection. Child protective investigators conduct field investigations by locating the area of concern, interviewing witnesses, and analyzing similar cases of violence. They coordinate with medical professionals to check the child's condition and record any signs of trauma and injuries. A child protective investigator may also attend court procedures to represent the child and testify to press charges with the abuser.
Child protective investigator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real child protective investigator resumes:
- Utilize locating systems, negotiate agreements, file motions and prepare subpoenas.
- Review and approve time sheets, mileage reports for CPI assign to the unit.
- Complete timely findings including determining if someone should be place on the child abuse registry.
- Investigate reports of abuse, neglect and exploitation that are report to the state abuse hotline.
- Respond to Hotline reports, conduct child safety assessments, and determine immediate risk to child.
- Review child safety assessments as submitted by CPI, and provide direction and guidance in the investigation.
- Monitor, and effectively operate CCTV equipment to company standards.
- Monitor suspicious individuals by utilizing CCTV surveillance and floor surveillance.
- Investigate child abuse/neglect allegations and complaints refer from the state central registry.
- Attend weekly staffing meetings with community partners to assess the treatment needs of the children and families serve by DCF.
- Document all investigative actions and assess any future risk of abuse or neglect of NYC children.
- Work with NYC family court system in ensuring the safety of children and the permanency of their family.
- Maintain accurate data collection and build a strong knowledge base of NYS child abuse and neglect policies.
- Investigate allegations of abuse and neglect, in accordance with agency policies and procedures and NYS guidelines.
- Investigate allegations of child abuse and maltreatment throughout the borough of the Bronx.
Child protective investigator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 35% of Child Protective Investigators are proficient in Patrol, Social Work, and Local Law Enforcement. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Emotional skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Child Protective Investigators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 35%
Patrol and monitor the floor for theft activity and safety violations via CCTV.
- Social Work, 16%
Provided leadership and consultation to other social workers in casework concepts and methodology.
- Local Law Enforcement, 7%
Coordinate investigation operations with local law enforcement agencies, various health department agencies and public schools.
- CCTV, 4%
Monitored, and effectively operated CCTV equipment to company standards.
- Child Protective, 4%
Work involves investigating and analyzing child protective problems, taking corrective action for children, and overseeing and evaluating casework activities.
- Family Dynamics, 3%
Engaged families to understand their perspectives about family dynamics, challenges/solutions, identifying needs and determining the required level of intervention.
Most child protective investigators use their skills in "patrol," "social work," and "local law enforcement" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential child protective investigator responsibilities here:
Communication skills. The most essential soft skill for a child protective investigator to carry out their responsibilities is communication skills. This skill is important for the role because "clients talk to social workers about challenges in their lives." Additionally, a child protective investigator resume shows how their duties depend on communication skills: "specialized in communication between bso deputies, the district attorney's office, dcf, and mental health agencies. "
Problem-solving skills. This is an important skill for child protective investigators to perform their duties. For an example of how child protective investigator responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "social workers must analyze their clients’ complex situations and develop practical solutions." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a child protective investigator: "provide conflict resolution and crisis intervention as needed. ".
The three companies that hire the most child protective investigators are:
- Rite Aid150 child protective investigators jobs
- My Florida Regional Mls51 child protective investigators jobs
- Florida Department of Transportation29 child protective investigators jobs
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Compare different child protective investigators
Child protective investigator vs. Student worker
Student workers are students who are employed while also enrolled at the university. They usually work in a department or college where they handle different tasks. Most of the time, student workers are assigned to do administrative activities. Their tasks include sorting mail, sending outgoing mail, manning telephone lines, filing documents, updating records, liaising with other departments, and documenting meetings, among others. Student-workers may also be assigned to handle or assist in university-wide events and activities. They are expected to be technologically savvy so that they can really help out in the department they are assigned to. Student-workers should be responsible, trustworthy, and diligent.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, child protective investigator responsibilities require skills like "patrol," "social work," "local law enforcement," and "team work." Meanwhile a typical student worker has skills in areas such as "customer service," "front desk," "twitter," and "financial aid." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Student workers really shine in the retail industry with an average salary of $26,351. Comparatively, child protective investigators tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $43,898.The education levels that student workers earn slightly differ from child protective investigators. In particular, student workers are 11.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a child protective investigator. Additionally, they're 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Child protective investigator vs. Youth worker
Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that child protective investigator responsibilities requires skills like "patrol," "social work," "local law enforcement," and "team work." But a youth worker might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "direct supervision," "cpr," "at-risk youth," and "youth development."
Youth workers may earn a lower salary than child protective investigators, but youth workers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $32,651. On the other hand, child protective investigators receive higher pay in the government industry, where they earn an average salary of $43,898.youth workers earn lower levels of education than child protective investigators in general. They're 10.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Child protective investigator vs. Family support worker
A family service worker is a social service agent who assesses the needs of family and promotes wellbeing, social justice, and human rights through governmental and social service agencies. Family service workers offer services that can include counseling and mediation to families that will help them navigate the protocols of the social system. They act as liaisons between families facing problems and different government organizations. Family service workers also ensure that families in need are getting the benefits they are entitled to, as well as help them access various community resources.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a child protective investigator is likely to be skilled in "patrol," "local law enforcement," "team work," and "cctv," while a typical family support worker is skilled in "foster care," "family support," "family services," and "support services."
Family support workers earn the highest salary when working in the government industry, where they receive an average salary of $40,316. Comparatively, child protective investigators have the highest earning potential in the government industry, with an average salary of $43,898.When it comes to education, family support workers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to child protective investigators. In fact, they're 4.4% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Child protective investigator vs. Youth advocate
Youth advocates are individuals who responsible for maintaining the human rights of youth while assisting them in developing their skills in all areas of life, such as education, health, employment, and relationships. These advocates are required to discuss youth development and involvement with various leaders in the community. They must provide crisis interventions by performing one-on-one and group meetings with young adults. Youth advocates must also work with mental health professionals within the community so that they can guide teenagers with drug or alcohol problems and mental health issues.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between child protective investigators and youth advocates, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a child protective investigator might have more use for skills like "patrol," "local law enforcement," "team work," and "cctv." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of youth advocates require skills like "foster care," "youth development," "social services," and "independent living. "
The automotive industry tends to pay the highest salaries for youth advocates, with average annual pay of $31,171. Comparatively, the highest child protective investigator annual salary comes from the government industry.youth advocates reach lower levels of education compared to child protective investigators, in general. The difference is that they're 5.3% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of child protective investigator
Updated January 8, 2025
