ARIZONA 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.

1355 S Clearview Ave., Mesa, AZ 85209

Work will be conducted throughout the East Valley and Pinal County

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20

As a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist, you'll lead high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect. You'll conduct home visits, interview families, partner with law enforcement, and document your findings to support child safety.

Working within an OCWI unit, you'll have support while exercising independent judgment throughout each case, following county join-investigation protocols from start to finish. If you're driven, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, this role offers the chance to create real, lasting impact for children and families.

• Assesses, responds to and conducts investigations in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders involving allegations of criminal conduct child abuse or criminal neglect of Arizona's children which have resulted in serious injury or death of a child. Accompanies Department of Child Safety Specialist on investigations, which are anticipated to be unusually difficult and may at time become confrontational. 
  
• Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, makes entries into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.
  
• Testifies in court regarding OCWI investigations
  
• Attends unit meetings, high profile staffing, multidisciplinary meetings, Team Decision Meetings and fatality review meetings as determined by case and business needs.
  
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:

• Arizona Law related to Special Victims, Forensics, Homicide, Domestic Violence, Missing Persons or a closely related law enforcement unit
  
• Multi-disciplinary approach, including Child and Family Advocacy Centers
  
• Child Welfare practices
  
• Policy pertaining to abuse and neglect of children
  
• Conducting high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
  

Skill in:

• Working with public relations
  
• Conducting interviews with children and family members
  
• Training investigative techniques and approaching families and children
  
• Identifying criminal or neglect and abuse in an investigations
  
• Strong verbal and written communication
  
• Preparing reports
  
• Working with diverse groups and individuals
  

Ability to:

• Conduct a high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
  
• Identify and analyze highly confidential situations and resolve
  
• Testify in court
  
• Document investigations
  
• Recognize issues/concerns at the inception of and take appropriate action
  
• Share and enhance the understanding of investigative techniques
  
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution
  
• Travel In-State
• Maintain a high level of self-direction and responsibility