DEPTARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

Office Child Welfare Investigations
225 E 1st St., Mesa, AZ 85201

Salary: $17.348/hourly 

Grade: 14

Closing Date: October 24, 2024

Under immediate to general supervision, this position provides a variety of services to families, children and adults in various social service programs in the Department of Child Safety (DCS). Duties include assisting individuals and families with application process, providing case management assistance to participants involved in DCS, as well as providing clerical support, as needed.

• Provides one on one instructions/role playing to DCS clients on home arrangement and child development; refers clients to appropriate community resources; and assesses clients in regards to the needs and abilities as outlined by the case manager.
  
• Transports/escorts clients to scheduled appointments and makes arrangements for appointments; documents and enters case notes into Guardian.
  
• Conducts parenting skills training classes for DCS clients; and supervises visits among natural parents and children; documents and enters case notes into Guardian.
  
• Refers clients to community organizations to increase self sufficiency; participates in Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) meetings, staffings, court hearings and other meetings as required; attends scheduled trainings.
  
• Writes case dictation for case files; and meets with participants to monitor compliance and progress with case plans.
  
• Participates in unit meetings. Provides clerical support, as needed.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Current state, federal and district laws and policies regarding child welfare services
  
• Resources available in the community that may be utilized on behalf of clients
• Policies, procedures and practices of court FCRB with regards to cases involving custody and placement of children
• Developmental and behavioral problems of children' cultural, environmental and community influences on the behavior and development of individuals

Skills in:

• Eliciting and gathering information
  
• Listening and providing supportive attention
  
• Managing own time and arranging work
  
• Verbal and written communication
• Interpersonal relationships

Ability to:

•  Organize pertinent data in a logical, coherent manner
  
•  Perform routine clerical functions such as reception, filing, mailing, data entry
  
•  Prepare written reports in a prescribed format
  
•  Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and their families
  
•  Use computers and software
  
•  Learn DCS policies and procedures
  
•  Interact with professionals, e.g. psychologists, social workers, etc., on a daily basis

Possess some college or university experience with some credit hours in child development, rehabilitation, social services, counseling, psychology, sociology or other related field. Working in a child welfare environment indirectly or directly with clients. The ideal candidate will also possess computer experience, which includes Windows applications.

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

In state travel is required as an essential function of the job to conduct State business; the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements. Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintain valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed.

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

All DCS 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 602-255-3141 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.