DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

PERMANENCY & YOUTH SERVICES

3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $30.9656 HRLY/$64,408.45 Salary 

Grade: 21

Closing Date: January 20, 2026

This position serves as the liaison position between Department of Child Safety and the U.S. Department and Health and Human Services (US DHSS) for compliance with the programmatic and fiscal requirements of the Chafee Foster Care Independence federal law. This position will also provide supervision and coaching for Chafee H. Foster Care Program funded staff and programs and manages and provides training on the Youth Thrive Framework.

• Writes, updates, monitors, and negotiates with the US DHHS Arizona's State Plan for Chafee H. Foster Care Program. Supervises staff, provides 1:1 coaching, completes MAPs, and other supervisory tasks. Addresses field practice work with Program Mangers and Supervisors.
  
• Writes state policies for foster youth services, including all transition services for children successfully transiting from foster care to adulthood. Serves as State's Liaison with the US DHHS for Chafee H. Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood and Arizona's implementation of Chafee H Foster Care Program.
  
• In collaboration with Learning and Development, provides workshops and training on Youth Thrive Framework and other program trainings to field staff, community partners, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs), Attorney General's office and other state and local agencies. Leads youth board activities, including the annual youth conference.
  
• Responds to federal and state legislation, as well as to internal and external information requests, including requests from the State Legislature. This position will facilitate and participate in a variety of work groups focused on the needs of youth in transition, and other duties as assigned.
  
• Facilitates meetings, committees, and work-groups with internal and external community stakeholders on youth issues, legislative proposals, high profile cases, and support in Chafee H. Foster Care Program development such as informing contracts and assuring policy around young adult services is being implemented with fidelity.
  
• Responsible for Arizona's compliance with the programmatic and fiscal requirements for assigned areas of responsibility, including the National Youth in Transition Database. This position is responsible for preparing all programmatic reports to the US DHHS, correspondence, developing and monitoring a multi-year plan driven by program goals, outcomes and benchmarks, ongoing iteration with federal partners.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Social services of federal, state and local programs and resources regarding area of assignment
• Terminology of Arizona's child welfare system processes, including Youth Thrive Framework
  
• Child welfare policies; general policies pertaining to investigating reports of abuse/neglect
  
• Trauma informed practice
  
• Group facilitation, conflict resolution
  
• DCS related programs; program planning; and group dynamics; and evaluation process
  
• Supervision and coaching techniques
  
• US DHHS Arizona's State Plan and the Chafee H. Foster Care Program

Skills in:

• Verbal, written and interpersonal communication
  
• Interviewing and eliciting information
  
• Organization and management of workload
  
• Problem identification and solutions
  
• Decision making and conflict resolution facilitation and coordination of culturally diverse meetings
  
• Following program policies and procedures; rules and regulations
  
• Group process
  
• Evaluation and interpretation
  
• Interviewing; assessing safety and risk

Ability to:

• Establish and maintain effective relationships with young adults, DCS Specialists, other programs, agencies and departments
  
• Write and speak with clarity and effectiveness
  
• Represent and make appropriate decisions for DCS when working as a liaison in regard to interactions with DCS Staff, other agency personnel, and community partners and providers
  
• Analyze complex and detailed information
  
• Organize, multi-task and prioritize work load
  
• Make independent decisions and work under general supervision
  
• Collect, enter, and interpret data

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in education, social work, psychology, counseling or other related fields with 3-5 years of experience in working directly with young people in Arizona's foster care system.

Requires the possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code 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)

Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card; must be able to secure and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry.

If 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 3:42 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.