DEPARTMENT 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.

Tucson, Arizona

Salary: $21.7068 ( 5% differential for 2nd shift, 10% for 3rd shift)

Grade: 17; Open Until Filled; Applications Reviewed Daily

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: After Hours Investigative and Ongoing. Information on the different duties are provided in the Job Duty Section.

During your career as a Child Safety Specialist, you will be eligible for incremental pay increases after the successful completion of the 22 weeks CORE training ($22.59/hour), 1 year of experience as a DCS Specialist ($24.11/hour), 2 years of experience as a DCS Specialist ($25.96/hour) and 3 years of experience as a DCS Specialist ($27.66/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.

After Hours Investigative Specialist
• Investigate claims of criminal child abuse and neglect in conjunction with Law Enforcement Personnel and document all information assessed.
• Work schedule includes nights, weekend and holidays.
• Investigate claims of child abuse and neglect and document all information assessed.
• Interview and gather information in order to assess the family, to determine if abuse or neglect claim is substantiated.
• Respond to crisis situations and explore options of child removal if warranted.
• Explore placement options such as foster homes, kinship homes, or group homes when a child is removed.
• 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.
• Conducting interviews and gathering information
• Making in-and-out of home contacts with families and children
• 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

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 ; acquire and/or maintain CPR Certification or Re-Certification during initial training.

Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university-must provide awarded transcripts to confirm degree, OR four (4) years of experience as a DCS Case Aide

Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card   
                                                                               
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).

During the first 22 weeks of employment required in person training in Midtown Phoenix involving overnight stays, if necessary, every other week. 
Selected candidates must be able to pass a written exam, background investigation, Motor Vehicle Report check and DCS Central Registry check.

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).

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

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.

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

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.

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.