• Job Description

  Req#: 523001

  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.

  PROGRAM SPECIALIST

  Job Location:

  FOSTER CARE SUPPORTS
  3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

  Posting Details:

  Salary: $26.4423 HRLY/$54,999.98 Salary
  

  Grade: 20
  

  Closing Date: December 23, 2023

  Job Summary:

  This position is responsible for reviewing and completing cases for the Kinship Support Services Program, under the general supervision of the Department of Child Safety (DCS) Caregiver Support Supervisor. The duties include working with the staff and the supervisor to determine appropriate actions in accordance with the departmental and regional policies related to the Department of Child Safety.

  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.

  Job Duties:

  • Collaborates with Kinship Support Services contractors to ensure that families are licensed within 60-90 days and any obstacles are resolved. This includes helping the contracted providers with troubleshooting the fast pass and working through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) applications. Manages quick connect access to create cases for kinship families and receiving and processing funding requests.
    
  • Oversees the kinship referrals and processes referrals as needed. Ensures the information provided is accurate and thorough. Supports the kinship contracted agencies in having successful outcomes for children. Responds/Resolves problems and questions presented by agencies and caregivers.
    
  • Responsible for community outreach, presentations, forums and trainings in technical and specialized materials. Attend staff meetings and participates in problems solving/decision-making and participating in work groups and other team meetings as requested.
    
  • Monitor the Adopt Us Kids website and ensure that the children’s profile’s are current and reflect positive and accurate information in regards to the children. Monitors and analyzes inquiry data from Adopt Us Kids.
    
  • Monitor data as needed and directed by your supervisor or program manager. Also, writing and preparing reports as requested.
    
  • Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

  Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

  Knowledge of:
  

  • Federal and state laws/regulations and policies governing adoptions and permanency
    
  • Normal child development stages and milestones
    
  • Potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics
    
  • Roles and responsibilities of court, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, mental health system, community agencies, and other child welfare professionals
    
  • Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse, neglect, and mental health disturbances
    
  • Crisis intervention protocol
    
  • Conflict resolution techniques
    
  • Statewide community resources
    
  • Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
    
  • Policies and procedures of Guardian
    
  • Kinship and Foster caregiver needs
    

  Skills in:
  

  • Verbal and written communication
    
  • Resolving problems
    
  • Establishing and maintaining work relationships with children, their families and court representatives
    
  • Delivering public speeches
    
  • Communicating effectively while actively listening to others
    
  • Preparing accurate and detailed documentation of reported information
    
  • Analytical techniques
    
  • Coaching and mentoring
    

  Ability to:
  

  • Sit for long periods of time
    
  • Maintain professional boundaries
    
  • Work as a team member
    
  • Prepare detailed documentation of client and professional contacts to ensure that records accurately convey reported information and minimize misinterpretation
    
  • Accept responsibility for work product and outcomes
    
  • Recognize indicators of abuse/neglect
    
  • Work various shifts when needed
    
  • Perform after hour duties
    
  • Make independent decisions and work under general supervision
    
  • Plan, organize, and coordinate projects to meet deadlines
    
  • Analyze proposed federal and state legislation

  Selective Preference(s):

  The ideal candidate will possess a Master's and/or Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in social work or other field; strong communication skills (oral and written).

  Pre-Employment Requirements:

  The ability to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.
  The ability to secure and maintain clearance from the 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).

  Benefits:

  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

  Retirement:

  Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

  Contact Us:

  The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 255-2903. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.

  To submit your resume click the "APPLY NOW" button below

  Having trouble applying for this position?

  Email HRIShelpdesk@azdoa.gov or call (602) 542-4700 for assistance.

• 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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