Dcs Spct - Fh/Gh Invgtr

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.

*OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT DCS SPECIALIST*

DCS SPECIALIST – FOSTER HOME/GROUP HOME INVESTIGATOR

FOSTER HOME/GROUP HOME INVESTIGATIONS

Job Location:

2750 S 4th Ave

Tucson, AZ 85713

Posting Details:

Salary: LATERAL TRANSFER

Grade: 18

Closing Date: Open until filled

Job Summary:

The Foster Home and Group Home Investigations Unit is seeking a DCS Specialist. This position works closely with licensing agencies; congregate care agencies and the Office of Licensing and Regulation (OLR) to ensure children are safe in these homes.

Regular travel throughout the state may be required.

(This is NOT a promotional opportunity. Applicants will ONLY be considered for a lateral transfer at the level that they are currently.)

Step Increases

Child Safety Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows:

One year of Child Safety Specialist service $24.11/hour

Two years of Child Safety Specialist service $25.96/hour

Three years of Child Safety Specialist service $27.66/hour

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:

Makes decisions regarding a child's safety vs. risk, permanency, and well-being using the agency's Child Safety Assessment/Strengths and Risk Assessment/Case Plan by gathering and analyzing information utilizing Family-Centered Practice strategies. Methods include interviewing clients, engaging and partnering with families, researching family histories, ordering/reviewing medical records, police records, school records, social service records, evaluating gathered information with a supervisor by creating a safety plan, intervention plan or a family-centered, behaviorally focused case plan for services.

Organizes, plans, and continuously prioritizes work-developing specific plans to efficiently and effectively complete tasks and recordkeeping. Speaks with the supervisor to prioritize cases with the greatest risk based on completed assessments and with the assistance of the supervisor, if needed.

Resolves conflicts-negotiating with others-handling complaints, settling disputes and resolving grievances or conflicts with clients, or otherwise negotiating with others. This responsibility includes interviewing involved parties, evaluating information, reaching conclusions, and making case plans based on sound casework principles and organizational values.

Obtains information-observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. This includes documenting observations and information received in a format that is usable by others. Maintains current information on Guardian and other applicable case management systems that meet established work standards.

Evaluates information to determine compliance with standards-using relevant information and individual judgment to take appropriate action in compliance with laws, regulations, policies, and standards. This involves researching/reviewing DCS policies and procedures and staffing cases with a supervisor to determine consistency with division values and goals.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

Federal and state child welfare laws, policies, procedures and practices

Normal child development stages, processes, and milestones

Potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics

Roles and responsibilities of courts, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, mental health systems, 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 Outlook, Word, PowerPoint

Skills in:

Communicating effectively while actively listening to others

Making critical decisions independently

Proficiency with technology, especially computers, software applications, and phone systems

Typing at least 45 words per minute

Critical thinking and reasoning

Applying interviewing techniques based on the individual case

Preparing accurate and detailed documentation of reported information

Ability to:

Work in a busy call center environment

Recognize indicators of abuse/neglect

Remain calm and clear-headed in tense/crisis situations

Sit for long periods of time

Perform phone interviews while simultaneously inputting information into a database

Work in time constraints, high call volumes, and stressful conditions

Accept responsibility for work product and outcomes

Maintain professional boundaries

Work various shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays

Selective Preference(s):

Bachelor's degree in social work/welfare or related field. Three years prior job experience in child welfare. On-the-job training, work experience, child-welfare related training, mentoring, in-service training, seminars, professional literature.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

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

Must have at least 18 months of experience as a DCS Specialist, have no formal discipline, and a recent AZ Performs score of 3.0 or higher.

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 contacting or by email at . Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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

Having trouble applying for this position?

Email or call for assistance.