Child Services Engagement Speicalist
Date Posted: Apr 16, 2026
Requisition ID: 475908
Location:
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46204
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Department of Child Services (DCS):
Join a group of passionate, dedicated public servants to support one of Indiana's most critical missions!
The Department of Child Services helps children who are victims of abuse or neglect and strengthens families through services that focus on family support and preservation. We pursue permanency for children and families through reunification, guardianship, and adoption. Our services also encompass foster care, child support, and transitional support for those adjusting to adulthood. Our culture is built upon our MVP foundation:
Mission: Champion Indiana's future by protecting children and strengthening families with compassion and determination.
Vision: Every child in Indiana thrives in a safe, loving, forever home.
Purpose: Ignite hope. Cultivate joy.
Role Overview:
The Engagement Specialist manages essential databases, prepares data reports, and serves as the subject matter expert on the Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) assessment tool to determine appropriate services and levels of care. This role provides education, consultation, and support to DCS staff to ensure CANS assessments are completed accurately and in accordance with DCS policy.
Key outcomes for this role include:
Partnering with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction (DMHA), IU School of Social Work, the Praed Foundation, and the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.
Collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to improve outcomes for DCS-involved youth.
Supporting DCS Negotiating Attorneys by completing Comprehensive CANS Assessments for all eligible private adoption cases requesting Adoption Assistance.
Serving as a subject matter expert by reviewing and interpreting data, developing strategic recommendations, and presenting insights to management and executive leadership.
Key skills for this role include:
Strong engagement and assessment skills to gather collaborative information and produce comprehensive reports.
Advanced knowledge and training in the use of the CANS assessment tool.
Ability to locate, organize, and synthesize information across multiple systems.
Demonstrated understanding of social work principles and practices.
This position is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and will be deployed to locations across the Central Indiana region to provide training. Travel and lodging are covered.
Salary:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $53,222, but may be commensurate with education or work experience.
Use our Compensation Calculator (https://in.accessgov.com/spd/Forms/Page/spd/compensation-calculator/) to view the total compensation package.
A Day in the Life:
Responsibilities include:
You will develop and provide regional pre-service sessions for the assigned division/department.
You will also provide content expertise, through research and experience to curriculum writers on topics identified for curriculum development. This will be done through seminars/workshops, videoconferencing, and webinars for the agency.
You will assist resource parents with accessing online training modules necessary to complete both pre-service training and ongoing training through coordination with local libraries and local offices as appropriate.
Additionally, through research and experience, staff development trainers become experts when a new curriculum is needed and provide additional insight to weave the DCS mission vision and values as well as the DCS Practice Model throughout DCS resource parent training.
Essential functions of this position require travel on most workdays to inspect, audit, examine, survey, or investigate clients, customers, or other regulated entities and write reports at those sites or employee's home. Employee reports to the agency's office for occasional meetings or events. Number and timing of work hours may vary daily or weekly to accommodate operational needs and staffing concerns at the client's or customer's worksite, minimize expenditures for repeated visits to complete the work, and allocate resources to complete assigned work effectively.
The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
This position is exempt from overtime compensation for additional work hours that may be required to complete essential functions or other assigned work. Exempt employees may work more than 75 hours in a pay period without additional compensation and must report a minimum of 75 hours per pay period of work hours and/or paid leave taken to receive their base biweekly salary.
What You'll Need for Success:
Credentials:
The ideal candidate for this role should have three (3) years of experience applying the below knowledge, skills, and abilities in a similar role.
Completion of relevant educational degree(s) such as a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work, Education, or other related fields may substitute for equivalent years of experience.
Additional qualifications:
Extensive knowledge of and subject matter expert in child development, child welfare, family systems or related behavioral health topics.
Ability to promote teamwork by working with other staff development members and field operations personnel to achieve established goals.
Ability to provide positive feedback as well as address concerns as they arise.
Knowledge of issues related to resource and/or adoptive parents regarding the Resource Parent Trainers position.
Excellent computer skills with Microsoft Word products including Word and PowerPoint and willingness to learn basic information regarding MS Excel and Access if requested.
Excellent writing skills and the ability to convey written information in a clear, concise manner. Writing samples will be requested.
Candidates must have the ability to travel statewide overnight to deliver training and in-services.
Ability to provide training during evening and weekend hours to accommodate resource parents' schedules.
Ability to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
A degree is not required for this position.
Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports:
This role may be utilized in a supervisory capacity based on agency needs.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefits package for full-time employees that includes:
Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
Education Reimbursement Program
Group life insurance
Referral Bonus program
Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
Free Parking for most positions
Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
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