CASE MANAGER - CHILD SAFETY SPECIALIST

JOB LOCATION:
OFFICES LOCATED IN BULLHEAD, COTTONWOOD, FLAGSTAFF, FREDONIA, KINGMAN, LAKE HAVASU, PAGE, AVONDALE, PHOENIX, MESA, GILBERT, PRESCOTT, SHOW LOW, WINSLOW, PEORIA, GLENDALE, TEMPE, APACHE JUNCTION, PAYSON, CASA GRANDE, TUCSON, YUMA

You will have the option to choose an office location during the application process.

Rate: $21.70

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!

Child Safety Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows:
Successful completion of the 22 weeks CORE training $22.59/hour

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

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 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. A day in the life of a Child Safety Specialist can look like:

• Responding to reported allegations of child abuse and/or neglect
• Assessing child safety and risk
• Conducting investigations regarding a child abuse report
• Identifying supports and resources to help children remain safely at home
• Facilitating removal and arrangement of child(ren)into an alternative placement
• Participating in team meetings to follow-up on individual and case progress
• Documenting client activity and completing reports
• Attending Court hearings
• Preparing case plans
• Placing children, transporting children, and moving a child’s possessions when needed

Alternative work hours may be required, including overtime, weekends and holidays.

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 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
• A valid driver license, vehicle registration and insurance
• 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.

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 Program

Bi-Lingual Stipend
In 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 benefits page

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!