DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

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

Salary: Lateral Transfer Only

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. This position supports the FH/GH investigations but in addition, this position is accountable for analyzing data and making decisions regarding children's safety/risk, well-being, and permanency by using the agency's Child Safety Assessment, The Strengths and Risk Assessment and Case Plan process, and demonstrating Family-to-Family values/Family Centered Practice strategies.

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

Successful completion of the 22 weeks CORE training $22.59/hour
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 department's 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 State’s 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.

• Provide courtesy supervision to a child(ren) placed in a congregate care facility in a county other than that in which the case is assigned. Supervision duties include, but are not limited to, monthly face-to-face contact with the child and their caregiver(s); assisting with support; assessing child well-being during monthly home visits, update the assigned ADCS Specialist of any concerns and/or needs of the caregiver or child(ren), and enter visits notes in Guardian.
  
• Makes decisions regarding a child's safety vs. risk, permanency, and well-being using the agency's 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 work-developing 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 conflicts-negotiating with others-handling 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 information-observing, 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 in Guardian and other applicable case management systems which meet established work standards.
  
• Evaluates information to determine compliance with standards-using 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 clear-headed 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

Three years prior investigations job experience in child welfare. On-the-job training, work experience, child-welfare related training, mentoring, in-service training, seminars, professional literature.

Bachelor's or Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university OR Four (4) yrs. of experience as a DCS Case Aide AND Twenty two (22) weeks as a DCS Specialist Trainee.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.)

R2-10-207.11). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintain valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration. Mileage may be reimbursed, if applicable. (Arizona Administrative Code Revised 1/29/2020).

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

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 3.70 hours bi-weekly
  
• Deferred compensation plan
  
• Wellness plans
  

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time 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 program here. 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 contacting 602-255-3141 or by email at ADA@AZDCS.GOV. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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Having trouble applying for this position?

Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.