• Job Description

  Req#: 532312

  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.

  CHILD WELFARE EDUCATION PROGRAM

  Augutst Graduating Class 2025 - Child Safety Specialist Trainee

  Posting Details:

  Salary: Special entrance rate $22.5962 HOURLY
  

  Grade: 17
  

  Closing Date: 4/14/2025

  Job Summary:

  This job announcement is only for applicants that are currently under CWEP contract and graduating in August of 2025

  The job functions of a DCS Specialist include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Assessing child safety and risk.
  • 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.
  • Managing cases throughout the respective county and assigned area.
  • Using a computer and the Department’s Child Welfare Software Programs.
  
  During the first 22 weeks of employment you will be classified as a DCS Specialist Trainee, and will be in training full time.
  Your training will be a mix of classroom and on-the-job training.
  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.
  The on-the-job training will require you to report to a regional field office location.
  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.
  

  Job Duties:

  Investigative Specialist:
  Investigate claims of child abuse and neglect and document all information assessed.
  Interview and gather information in order to assess the family, in order 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.
  Ongoing Specialist:
  Assist families in achieving permanency through reunification, guardianship, adoption, or the Young Adult Program.
  Assess and facilitate services to assist families in making changes to protect and ensure their children’s safety.
  Help families engage with community partners and contracted agencies to assist in achieving safety for their children.
  Organize Child and Family Team (CFT) meetings to ensure all participants are aligned on the goal of helping the children.
  Continuously document client activity to ensure accuracy and consistency.
  

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

  Knowledge of:
  Federal and State laws, regulations and directives pertaining to DCS
  Risk assessment practices and procedures
  Supervisory techniques; personality development and adjustment
  Foster care programs
  Policies and procedures of court system
  Resources available in the community
  Policies and procedures established for the work system
  Personal Computers; Microsoft Office Suite
  
  Skill in:
  Verbal and written communication
  Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships with internal and external customers
  Time management and organization
  Resolving problems related to work
  Speaking to small or large groups; public speaking
  
  Ability to:
  Interview to elicit information
  

  Selective Preference(s):

  
  
  

  Pre-Employment Requirements:

  Must currently be under contact with the Child Welfare Education Program.
  Employment is contingent on the CWEP applicant passing a background check.

  Must provide BSW or MSW awarded transcripts within 30 days of graduation.

  Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance card.
  
  Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry or an out of state Central Registry, if applicable.
  

  This position requires driving or the use of a personal or state vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, and 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).

  Benefits:

  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

  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

  Retirement:

  All DCS Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of State employment.

  Contact Us:

  Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-3141
  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.

• About the company

  Arizona is on a mission to become the #1 state in the nation in which to live, work, play, get an education, and retire. Arizona state government plays a vital role in making this happen, and in order to maximize our potential the State of Arizona must operate in way that demonstrates a business-like approach. We are looking for enthusiastic and talented people to join the team.

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