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!
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 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 Programs
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.
