Diligent Search Specialist

Mission Statement

The Children’s Network of Hillsborough is committed to working with the community to protect children and preserve families.

General Purpose of Job

The Diligent Search Specialist is responsible for conducting safe, thorough, and timely searches in accordance with Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Code, and CFOP guidelines. The primary objective of these searches is to identify and locate any absent parent in support of child welfare and case management efforts.

Qualifications

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Responsible for overseeing the standards used for performing diligent searches as required per Chapters 39, 63, 435, and DCF Policy.
• Auditing of all diligent search requests.
• Mentors, coaches, new diligent search staff.

• Responsible for interfacing with municipal, county/state and out of state law enforcement and judiciary to both expand access to criminal and civil histories.
• Responsible for continuing development of Diligent Search Team’s access to criminal and civil histories.

• Supports the project’s QA function, QA data needs, and deadlines for reports and monitoring as they pertain to diligent searches.

• Conduct diligent search activities in accordance with Florida Statute, Florida Administrative Code, and CNHC operating policy until missing parent(s) are located or until such time as the court orders the search to be terminated.
  • Prepare Affidavit of Diligent Search (ADS) for court dates in which Children's Legal Services is filing for Dependency or Termination of Parental Rights

• Develop and maintain an effective diligent search process to be used in locating missing parents for children in protective custody of the Department.
• Maintain effective diligent search process by continually updating the process with new information and resources, as they become available.
• Maintain working relationship with local, state, and federal agencies by means of telephone, correspondence, or personal contact in order to obtain data on missing person(s).
• Utilize any and all public county and statewide databases available to locate missing individuals in an expedient manner.
• Conduct diligent searches for persons needing to be served with ex-parte/injunctions.
• Request and respond to telephone inquiries in a prompt and professional manner.
• Organize and file each diligent search in a proper manner.
• Maintain computerized logs/tracking’s of diligent search information to share with Children's Legal Services and Case Management Organization monthly.
• Maintain up to date addresses for entity letters mailed out.
• Monitor FSFN/CCIS notes for parents once summons has been issued and served or non-served.
• Assist case management and Children's Legal Services staff in obtaining putative father registry requests from the Department of Health.
• Maintain computerized logs of Putative Father Registry requests.
• Assist case management and Children's Legal Services in obtaining necessary information on absent/ missing parents.
• Facilitates live scan fingerprinting for all prospective caregivers, newly hired staff, 5-year employee rescreens, and any other parties who may require background screening in relationship to their role within the child welfare system.  Availability to conduct fingerprinting before/after business hours and on weekends to expedite placement of children in emergency shelter status.
• Participate in agency quality improvement process, as needed.
• Other duties may be assigned as special projects may be requested.

Working Hours

CNHC’s believes in work life balance for all employees. This is an in-office position, Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm averaging forty (40) hours per week. Working hours may vary based on business needs.

Travel

Travel in and outside of Circuit 13 (Hillsborough County) is required.

Training

All employees are required to complete fifteen (15) hours of training annually, which may be completed online or in a classroom setting. Employees who hold a credential or license relevant to their position must ensure that all training and continuing education requirements are met to maintain their credential or licensure.

Education and Experience

• Education: Associates degree required, preferably in paralegal studies
• Experience: Two years’ computer work experience required.
• Strong organizational skills and problem-solving abilities is a must; and
• The ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships is also a must.

Skills and Abilities

Must be able to operate standard modern office machinery, including fax, telephone, calculator, computer, scanner, printer, copier, and mail machine.  Excellent word processing skills.  Must be competent with Microsoft Office Suite programs, including Word, Excel, Power Point, and Outlook.  Must be competent with basic e-mail protocol and procedures including sending, receiving, replying, attachments, and meeting scheduling; excellent written and oral communication skills; effective listening skills; ability to work as a team member, and the ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.  Must possess excellent organizational skills and abide by the highest standards of confidentiality.

Pre-employment Requirements

Certificates, License, Registrations, backgrounds, drug screens, Etc.

• Valid driver’s license, clean driver’s license check, and proof of insurance is required.
• No special certification or registration is required for this position.
• Criminal background screening (Fingerprinting~ Local Law Enforcement /FBI / FDLE, and Abuse Registry)
• Drug Screening is a requirement.
• Children’s Network participates in E-Verify

Other Requirements

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.  Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.  Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, board of directors, clients, customers, and the public.  Ability to speak effectively before groups of customers or employees.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent, to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.  Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram or schedule form.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This job requires the ability to sit for extended periods; walk; stand; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel or crouch; talk and hear.  This job requires visual acuity sufficient to read and to operate standard modern office machines.  The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Enviroment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

This is administrative work in an indoor office environment with a moderate noise level (business machines, printers, computers, telephones).

ADA:       Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

EEO:        Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, religion, veteran status, or disability in employment, in provision of services, or in access to programs.

Children’s Network of Hillsborough, LLC is a Drug-Free Workplace.

Remember:  If you are currently an employee of Children’s Network of Hillsborough Florida, LLC, or one of our Case Management Organizations, it is necessary that you notify your current Supervisor, prior to applying.

Salary : $21 - $23