DEPT 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 2,800 employees who share the common vision of ensuring children thrive in family environments free from abuse and neglect.

Various Offices Located in Mesa and Phoenix

Provide Services for: Mesa, Tempe, Gilbert, South and Central Phoenix

OFFICE HOURS:  MONDAY - FRIDAY   8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Salary: $16.8164 - $22.56/hour
Based on DCS Child Safety Specialist experience

Grade: 16

Visit the Arizona Department of Child Safety’s, Career Opportunities page for more information: https://dcs.az.gov/careers

A Child Safety Specialist offers valuable support and assistance to children and families in need. This role will require good time management and critical thinking skills. A Child Safety Specialist assesses child safety and risk while working with families, agencies and the courts for case planning. This is a fast paced environment which requires organization, a high degree of expertise and skill in maintaining established quality and accuracy in work assignments.
Currently there are two different types of Child Safety Specialists: Investigative and Ongoing
Information on the Investigative and Ongoing Specialist as provided in the Job Duty Section

During your career as a Child Safety Specialist, you will be eligible for incremental pay increases at 22 weeks ($18.54/hour), 1 year ($20.51/hour), and 3 years of service ($22.56/hour)

Extensive New Hire Training Provided
During the first 22 weeks of employment you will be classified as a Child Safety Specialist Trainee, and will be in training full time.
• Your training will be a mix of classroom and supervised field experience.
• Classroom training will take place at our Downtown Phoenix, Learning and Development facility.
• Hotel accommodations will be paid for, and staff will be reimbursed at the State rate for meals and mileage, if eligible.
• It is important that staff complete the required training uninterrupted and as scheduled to ensure successful completion of the Learning and Development training tracks, region-specific trainings, and acquisition of a CPR certification.

Investigative Specialist / Ongoing Specialist
• Respond to reported allegations of child abuse and/or neglect.
• Conduct interviews with parents, caregivers, children, and other stakeholders to evaluate allegations in the report.
• Engage with family members to identify supports and resources to help children remain safely in the home.
• When unable to safely remain in home, facilitate removal and placement of child(ren)into an alternative and least restrictive placement (kinship placement, foster home, or group home).
• Show compassion for strengthening families and ensuring child safety.
• Engage families to identify needs as a team.
• Ensure services and supports are in place to facilitate meaningful behavioral changes that address safety and risk concerns.
• Team with community partners and contracted agencies to help families build and achieve safe home environments for children.
• Participate in team meetings to follow-up on individual and case progress.
• Continuously assess child safety and risk.
• Exhibit accountability while documenting client activity to ensure accuracy and consistency.
• Advocate with families to support change throughout the life of the case while working to achieve permanency.

• Attending Court hearings
• Preparing case plans and conducting case plan staffing
• Authoring professional reports and filling-out documentation
• Coordinating and monitoring services
• Placing children, transporting children, and moving a child’s possessions when needed
• Managing cases throughout the respective county and assigned area
• Using a computer and the Department’s Child Welfare Software Programs

Knowledge of:
Confidential principles; behavior modification, conflict resolution and counseling principles and techniques; intervention techniques; interviewing procedures; child development, family systems, family centered practice; behavioral indicators of mental health disturbance, impact of abuse and neglect, separation and loss issues and child welfare practices; organizational values and vision and their compatibility with personal values.
Skills in:
Being sensitive to others’ needs, feelings and cultures; and being understanding and helpful; accepting criticism and dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations; being adaptable, to take on responsibilities and challenges and to make decisions
Ability to:
Be thorough in completing work tasks; lead, take responsibility; analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems; recognize and address substance abuse issues in adults and children and develop necessary intervention strategies; prepare detailed documentation of client and professional contact to ensure records are accurately conveyed and reported; enter, retrieve and correct data in an automated system; to work overtime and scheduled standby duty as needed.

• Applicants must have a Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university, OR have five (5) years of experience as a DCS Case Aide
• Successfully pass a writing exam and an oral interview
• Successfully clear background and employment reference checks
• Obtain a Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Have a valid Arizona driver license and clear a 39 month Motor Vehicle Report check (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.12)
• Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver license
• Provide valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration
Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver license record checks, required to maintain acceptable driving records and complete any required driver training

As an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting!

Benefits include:
- Paid sick leave
- Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year
- Competitive health and dental insurance plans
- Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

We also offer optional employee benefits that include:
- Vision coverage.
- Short-term disability insurance.
- Deferred compensation plans.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Employee wellness plans

Bi-Lingual Stipend
In an effort to better serve our communities, DCS offers a Bi-Lingual Stipend to all interested and eligible DCS Employees who successfully complete a language proficiency exam. Qualifying employees will receive a $500 annual stipend paid in equal increments.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

All Child Safety Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of state employment.
ASRS is a defined benefit plan which means at retirement you are guaranteed a lifetime benefit that does not run out and can never be reduced!

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-2903.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.