Intergovernmental Liaison

The Tribal and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Liaison serves as the Departments primary resource for Tribal relations and ICWA implementation. The Liaison builds and maintains partnerships with Tribal governments and key organizations to support effective collaboration consultation and service delivery for Indian children and their families. The position oversees the Departments Tribal relations functions including intergovernmental agreements funding negotiations compliance monitoring reporting and supervision of the Qualified Expert Witness (QEW).

• Represents the Department in program and public advocacy with Tribal government officials and community organizations including participation in Tribal committees forums councils and meetings with Tribes government officials DCS staff and communities statewide.
  
• Overlooks and provides technical assistance and training on Tribal consultation and ICWA policy to Department staff Tribes and other public or private entities. Facilitates Department compliance with the Tribal consultation policy and coordinate with Tribal representatives DCS staff and partner organizations in delivering child welfare services to Indian children and their families.
  
• Supervises and manages DCS Tribal Relations staff to support compliance with child welfare and Tribal laws policies contracts Intergovernmental Agreements and statewide Qualified Expert Witness testimony.
  
• Leads efforts to resolve contract issues with Tribes and negotiate Tribal/state child welfare agreements Title IV-B and Title IV-E Intergovernmental Agreements and Memoranda of Understanding.
  
• Prepares reports and information for internal and external reporting needs stakeholder requests state and federal requirements the Departments Title IV-B five-year plan and annual reports and the annual Tribal Consultation Report.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Tribal government structure and operations including political organizational and decision-making processes codes and child welfare practices and procedures
  
• Culturally appropriate approaches to interpersonal and formal communication with Tribal leadership and governments
  
• The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and applicable case law state laws rules policies and procedures that govern child welfare services federal IV-B and IV-E requirements related to tribal consultation and compliance with ICWA
  
• Child welfare and related federal and state laws policies and procedures
  
• Child rearing practices among American Indian families and tribal community traditions including roles functions and family systems
  
• Principles and practices of management and supervision
  
• Tribal resources and culturally relevant services
  
• Coordination and facilitation strategies
  

Skills in:

• The use of computer applications such as word processing spreadsheets e-mail and calendar
  
• Analyzing proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals
  
• Effective communication both verbal and written
  
• Analyzing needs and situations and recommending innovative ways to address issues involving the Department and Tribal governments and communities
  
• Building and maintaining collaborative government-to-government relationships
  
• Group facilitation organization
  
• Coordinating across programs and governmental partners
  
• Supervision techniques
  
• Researching analyzing and applying federal and state statutes regulations rules and policies
  

Ability to:

• Manage multiple time-sensitive projects; prioritize competing demands; and complete work accurately professionally and on schedule
  
• Work independently when appropriate and collaborate effectively as part of a diverse team and work environment
  
• Provide staff with effective leadership guidance team building and performance support while planning and organizing work procedures that promote accountability and high morale
  
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff external stakeholders Tribal governments and communities while supporting policy development planning and implementation
  
• Demonstrate strong customer service leadership tact integrity initiative resourcefulness self-motivation and innovation
  
• Develop knowledge of the Departments organization policies procedures mission objectives and the connections among its various program areas
  

Masters degree in child welfare tribal studies social work or a related field with four years of advanced child welfare experience including working with Tribal governments providing human services social services and/or child welfare services to the tribal populations OR; Minimum of a Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university in child welfare tribal studies or social services; Extensive knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and its application to Arizonas child welfare practice and other federal mandates.

Must obtain and maintain clearance of the DCS Central Registry.

Must obtain and maintainan Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

This position does require driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business. 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 (E-Verify).

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

• Affordable medical dental life and short-term disability insurance plans
  
• Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
  
• 10 paid holidays per year
  
• Vacation time accrued at 4:00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
  
• Sick time accrued at 3:42 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave 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.

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting or 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 at or by email at The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.