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.    

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