DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully partner with families, caregivers, and the community to strengthen families, ensure safety, and achieve permanency for all Arizona’s children through prevention, services, and support.

WHO WE ARE:

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 Increases
Child 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 $22.59/hour
One year of Arizona Department of Child Safety Specialist service $24.11/hour
Two years of Arizona Department of Child Safety Specialist service $25.96/hour
Three years of Arizona Department 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 KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND 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.

• Responding to reported allegations of child abuse and/or neglect
• 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 Program