DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully engage children and families to ensure safety strengthen families and achieve permanency. DCS has field office locations located throughout the state of Arizona with its central office located in Downtown Phoenix. DCS employs over 2800 employees who share the common vision of ensuring children thrive in family environments free from abuse and neglect.

DCS SPECIALIST FH/GH INVESTIGATOR
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix AZ

Salary: LATERAL TRANSFER

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open until filled

The Foster Home/Group Home Department of Child Safety (DCS) Specialist is responsible for conducting safety and risk assessments for reports of abuse and neglect. In addition this position is accountable for analyzing data and making decisions regarding childrens safety/risk wellbeing and permanency by using the agencys Child Safety Assessment The Strengths and Risk Assessment and Case Plan process and demonstrating FamilytoFamily values/Family Centered Practice strategies.

Regular travel throughout the state may be required.

(This is NOT a promotional opportunity. Applicants will ONLY be considered for a lateral transfer at the level that they are currently.

Step Increases
Child Safety Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows:

One year of Child Safety Specialist service $24.11/hour
Two years of Child Safety Specialist service $25.96/hour
Three years of Child Safety Specialist service $27.66/hour

This position may offer the ability to work remotely within Arizona based upon the departments business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility autonomy and trust. Across our many agencies boards and commissions many State employees participate in the States Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes in offices and in hoteling spaces. All work including remote work should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

• Makes decisions regarding a childs safety vs. risk permanency and wellbeing using the agencys Child Safety Assessment/Strengths and Risk Assessment/Case Plan by gathering and analyzing information utilizing Family Centered Practice strategies. Methods include interviewing clients engaging and partnering with families researching family histories ordering/reviewing medical records police records school records social service records evaluating gathered information with a supervisor by creating a safety plan intervention plan or a family centered behaviorally focused case plan for services.
  
• Organizes plans and continuously prioritizes workdeveloping specific plans to efficiently and effectively complete tasks and recordkeeping. Speaks with supervisor to prioritize cases with greatest risk based on completed assessments and with assistance of supervisor if needed.
  
• Resolves conflictsnegotiating with othershandling complaints settling disputes and resolving grievances or conflicts with clients or otherwise negotiating with others. This responsibility includes interviewing involved parties evaluating information reaching conclusions and making case plans based on sound casework principles and organizational values.
  
• Obtains informationobserving receiving and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. This includes documenting observations and information received in a format that is usable by others. Maintains current information on Childrens Information Library and Data Source (CHILDS) and other applicable case management systems which meet established work standards.
  
• Evaluates information to determine compliance with standardsusing relevant information and individual judgment to take appropriate action in compliance with laws regulations policies and standards. This involves researching/reviewing DCS policies and procedures and staffing cases with a supervisor to determine consistency with division values and goals.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state child welfare laws policies procedures and practices
  
• Normal child development stages processes and milestones
  
• Potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics
  
• Roles and responsibilities of courts law enforcement hospitals schools mental health systems community agencies and other child welfare professionals
  
• Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse neglect and mental health disturbances
  
• Crisis intervention protocol
  
• Conflict resolution techniques
  
• Statewide community resources
  
• Microsoft Office Outlook Word PowerPoint

Skills in:

• Communicating effectively while actively listening to others
  
• Making critical decisions independently
  
• Proficiency with technology especially computers software applications and phone systems
  
• Typing at least 45 words per minute
  
• Critical thinking and reasoning
  
• Applying interviewing techniques based on the individual case
  
• Preparing accurate and detailed documentation of reported information

Ability to:

• Work in a busy call center environment
  
• Recognize indicators of abuse/neglect
  
• Remain calm and clearheaded in tense/crisis situations
  
• Sit for long periods of time
  
• Perform phone interviews while simultaneously inputting information into a database
  
• Work in time constraints high call volumes and stressful conditions
  
• Accept responsibility for work product and outcomes
  
• Maintain professional boundaries
  
• Work various shifts including nights weekends and holidays

The ability to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and the ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.

Bachelors degree in social work/welfare or related field. Three years prior job experience in child welfare. Onthejob training work experience childwelfare related training mentoring inservice training seminars professional literature.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (EVerify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:

• Affordable medical dental life and shortterm disability insurance plans
  
• Topranked retirement and longterm disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours biweekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3.70 hours biweekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  

By providing the option of a fulltime or parttime remote work schedule employees enjoy improved work/life balance report higher job satisfaction and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contactingor by email at . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team ator by email at . The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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