DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

INTERNATIONAL LOCATE & VITAL RECORDS COORDINATOR
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $21.0000 HRLY/$43,680.00 Salary 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: Open until filled

Under the general direction of the Family Locate and Vital Records Manager, this Locate & Vital Records Specialist ensures that the children of Arizona have every chance to be placed with family members, relatives or other responsible parties to protect their safety, stability and permanency.

This position reviews assigned international locate referrals from DCS Specialists, the Attorney General's Office and the Adoptions Team to conduct investigative international locate searches, using skip tracing techniques, of missing parents and/or legal guardians or relatives as potential placement resources for children in custody or children ready for adoption. This position works with foreign embassies and consulates to identify and navigate their laws, rules and codes to obtain vital records for foreign born and/or refugee children and parents.

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.

• Investigates and researches for missing persons internationally through numerous locate source databases, software applications, uses locate tools to perform international searches, engages foreign consulates and embassies to retrieve confidential information for out of the country missing person: and conducts interviews with missing person(s), including family members, in attempt to obtain locate information.
  
• Provides DCS Specialists and the Attorney General's Office with analytical research for skip trace, identity and
  location of case-related persons when the person resides out of country. Makes sound, independent decisions based on analysis of information identified and available data and adopts appropriate course of action.
  
• Independently prepares clear, concise and grammatically correct legal documents for upcoming dependency,
  guardianship and severance court hearings, documenting findings and results of locate search. Documents and records locate findings and performs administrative functions as appropriate, including but not
  limited to administrative support and mail distribution.
  
• Conducts requests for birth and/or death certificates for individuals who are refugees and/or are foreign-born persons. Requires navigation and interaction with foreign embassies, consulates as well as the United States Department of State and related federal entities.
  
• Interacts and provides efficient and courteous assistance to DCS Specialists and the Attorney General's Office,
  within the scope and nature of the position and authorities.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• General knowledge of the purpose and structure of consulates and embassies.
  
• Various software applications, databases and investigative tools.
  
• Methods and techniques of locating missing individuals (e.g. skip tracing methods).
  
• Court proceedings as they relate to dependency, severance, guardianship and adoption cases.
  
• Department rules, policies, and procedures governing service of process, court procedures and resources.
  
• Interview techniques and investigative procedures for eliciting information or indicators for locate purposes.
  
• Roles, responsibilities and jurisdictions of various foreign countries, city, county , state, tribal and federal organizations as they pertain to the area of assignment.

Skills in:-

• Applying techniques and methods relating to the location of missing individuals.
  
• Analyzing and interpreting court orders and judgments; reviewing and interpreting court orders and preparing legal documents for court hearings.
  
• Analyzing data to determine appropriate courses of action.
  
• Navigating effectively through various computer applications and databases.
  
• Communicating effectively with people of diverse backgrounds using both verbal and non-verbal communication.
  
• Creating legal documents, business letters, emails and other documentation.
  
• Extracting, inspecting and utilizing information in statutes, court decisions, legal documents and vital records.
  
• Time management to achieve successful outcomes.

Ability to:

• Find, collect, preserve, and evaluate information to determine the validity of and relevance to the missing person(s)
  
• Handle difficult and irate parties who may not want to cooperate
  
• Collaborate with others while working independently within established guidelines and directives
  
• Interact successfully with representatives from Courts and Federal, State, Local and Tribal entities
  
• Demonstrate initiative, self-motivation, self- discipline and determination to fully and accurately document all information identified as well as the ability to maintain confidentiality concerning criminal histories and information found during locate search
  
• Communicate effectively and accurately, both verbal and non-verbal
  
• Prioritize tasks to meet deadlines
  
• Perform detailed work with a high degree of accuracy
  
• Maintains a professional appearance and demeanor at all times
  
• Managing time and resources effectively
  
• Work effectively with team members including administrative staff, peers and management

Preference given to individuals with two years work experience analyzing vital record information including legal documents, composing complex, communications and preparing legal documents. Must have computer proficiency, be detail oriented, and have good organizational and time management skills. Experience with Field Operations is a plus.

Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry

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: Driver’s 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 3.70 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.

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.  Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team at 602-255-2903 or by email at recruiting@azdcs.gov.  The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.