DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETYThe 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. CASE MANAGER-CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST JOB LOCATION: Our Casa Grande office services surrounding cities such as Marana, Maricopa, Florence, Coolidge, Eloy, Arizona CityOur Apache Junction office services surrounding cities such as Mesa, Queen Creek, San Tan Valley, Gold Canyon, East Mesa and Payson POSTING DETAILS: Salary: Grade: 17; Open Until Filled; Applications Reviewed Daily WHO ARE WE? At the Arizona Department of Child Safety ("DCS"), we call ourselves "compassioneers" because everything we do is done with a compassionate heart. We work tirelessly to protect children, reunify families, ensure safe living environments and prevent unnecessary trauma. As an agency, we are proud to be a pillar of strength for our communities, and proud to do work each day that makes an impact on the world around us every day.Becoming a Child Safety Specialist can be a life-changing event! If you have a passion to work with children and families, DCS is the place for you. Together we can make a difference through service!Step IncreasesChild Safety Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows: Upon successful completion of the Arizona Department of Child Safety, 22 week CORE training program $ One year of Arizona Department of Child Safety Specialist service $Two years of Arizona Department of Child Safety Specialist service $Three years of Arizona Department of Child Safety Specialist service $If you're good at what you do, you can work anywhere. If you're the best at what you do, come work at DCS! WHAT DOES A CASE MANAGER/CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST DO? A Child Safety Specialist offers valuable support and assistance to children and families in need. This role requires strong time management and critical thinking skills. A Child Safety Specialist assesses child safety and risk while working with families, agencies and the courts for case planning. This is a fast-paced environment, which requires organization, a high degree of expertise and skill in maintaining established quality and accuracy in work assignments. The essential job functions of a DCS Specialist include, but are not limited to: Responding to reported allegations of child abuse and/or neglectAssessing child safety and riskConducting interviews and gathering informationMaking in-and-out of home contacts with families and childrenAttending Court hearingsPreparing case plans and conducting case plan staffingAuthoring professional reports and filling out documentationCoordinating and monitoring servicesPlacing children, transporting children, and moving a child's possessions when neededManaging cases throughout the respective county and assigned areaUsing a computer and the Department's Child Welfare Software Programs Alternative work hours may be required, including overtime, weekends and holidays. WHAT KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES ARE HELPFUL? Knowledge of: Confidential principles; behavior modification, conflict resolution and counseling principles and techniques; intervention techniques; interviewing procedures; child development, family systems, family centered practice; behavioral indicators of mental health disturbance, impact of abuse and neglect, separation and loss issues and child welfare practices. Computers and software (Microsoft Office Suite); mobile devices, digital calendars (Outlook) & video conferencing (Microsoft Teams). Skill in: Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships; verbal and written communication; eliciting and gathering information; modeling professional behavior with clients; time management and multi-tasking; keen observation; sensitivity to needs, feelings and cultures; dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations; adaptability; and making independent decisions. Ability to: Complete work tasks thoroughly; lead, take responsibility; analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems; recognize and address substance abuse issues in adults and children and develop necessary intervention strategies; prepare detailed documentation of client and professional contact to ensure records are accurately conveyed and reported; and enter, retrieve and correct data in a computer-based system; and acquire and renew CPR Certification. WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A CASE MANAGER/CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST? • Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university-must provide awarded transcripts to confirm degree, OR four (4) years of experience as a DCS Case Aide • Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card • Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) ).• During the first 22 weeks of employment required in person training in Midtown Phoenix involving overnight stays, if necessary, every other week. Selected candidates must be able to pass a written exam, background investigation, Motor Vehicle Report check and DCS Central Registry check.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: All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify). THE STATE OF ARIZONA HAS EXCELLENT BENEFITS AND PERKS WE OFFER: • Paid sick leave• Paid annual leave• Ten paid holidays per calendar year• Health, dental and vision insurance• Flexible Spending Account• Health Savings Account• Arizona State Retirement System Savings (ASRS)• Employee and Dependent Life insurance • Long-term and short-term disability insurance• Deferred compensation plans• Wellness incentive program• Employee discount program for higher education, products and services• Education Savings – AZ529• Employee Assistance ProgramBi-Lingual StipendIn an effort to better serve our communities, DCS offers a Bi-Lingual Stipend to all interested and eligible DCS Employees who successfully complete a language proficiency exam. Qualifying employees will receive a $500 annual stipend paid in equal increments.For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our RETIREMENT: All Child Safety Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of state employment. ASRS is a defined benefit plan which means at retirement you are guaranteed a lifetime benefit that does not run out and can never be reduced! 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 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.
