Job No: 539787
Work Type: Full-time
Location: PHOENIX
Categories: Social Work/Human Services
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.
OPEN ONLY TO CURRENT DCS SPECIALIST - LATERAL TRANSFER DCS Specialist - FH/GH Investigations
Job Location:
OFFICE OF FOSTER CARE SUPPORTS
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012
Posting Details:
Salary: $22.5962 - $27.6635 HRLY
Grade: 18
Closing Date: Until filled
Job Summary:
The Foster Home/Group Home Department of Child Safety (DCS) Specialist is responsible for conducting safety and risk assessments for reports of abuse and neglect. In addition, this position is accountable for analyzing data and making decisions regarding children's safety/risk, well-being, and permanency by using the agency's Child Safety Assessment, The Strengths and Risk Assessment and Case Plan process, and demonstrating Family-to-Family values/Family Centered Practice strategies.
Job Duties:
Makes decisions regarding a child's safety vs. risk, permanency, and well-being using the agency's Child Safety Assessment/Strengths and Risk Assessment/Case Plan by gathering and analyzing information utilizing Family Centered Practice strategies. Methods include interviewing clients, engaging and partnering with families, researching family histories, ordering/reviewing medical records, police records, school records, social service records, evaluating gathered information with a supervisor by creating a safety plan, intervention plan or a family centered, behaviorally focused case plan for services.
Organizes, plans and continuously prioritizes work-developing specific plans to efficiently and effectively complete tasks and recordkeeping. Speaks with supervisor to prioritize cases with greatest risk based on completed assessments and with assistance of supervisor, if needed.
Resolves conflicts-negotiating with others-handling complaints, settling disputes and resolving grievances or conflicts with clients, or otherwise negotiating with others. This responsibility includes interviewing involved parties, evaluating information, reaching conclusions and making case plans based on sound casework principles and organizational values.
Obtains information-observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. This includes documenting observations and information received in a format that is usable by others. Maintains current information on Guardian and other applicable case management systems which meet established work standards.
Evaluates information to determine compliance with standards-using relevant information and individual judgment to take appropriate action in compliance with laws, regulations, policies and standards. This involves researching/reviewing DCS policies and procedures and staffing cases with a supervisor to determine consistency with division values and goals.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
Federal and state child welfare laws, policies, procedures and practices
Normal child development stages, processes, and milestones
Potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics
Roles and responsibilities of courts, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, mental health systems, community agencies, and other child welfare professionals
Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse, neglect, and mental health disturbances
Crisis intervention protocol
Conflict resolution techniques
Statewide community resources
Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, PowerPoint
Skills in:
Communicating effectively while actively listening to others
Making critical decisions independently
Proficiency with technology, especially computers, software applications, and phone systems
Typing at least 45 words per minute
Critical thinking and reasoning
Applying interviewing techniques based on the individual case
Preparing accurate and detailed documentation of reported information
Ability to:
Work in a busy call center environment
Recognize indicators of abuse/neglect
Remain calm and clear-headed in tense/crisis situations
Sit for long periods of time
Perform phone interviews while simultaneously inputting information into a database
Work in time constraints, high call volumes, and stressful conditions
Accept responsibility for work product and outcomes
Maintain professional boundaries
Work various shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays
Selective Preference(s):
Bachelor's degree in social work/welfare or related field. 18 months prior job experience in child welfare. On-the-job training, work experience, child-welfare related training, mentoring, in-service training, seminars, professional literature.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver license appropriate to the assignment.
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.) R2-10-207.11)
The ability to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and the ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.
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: Driver's License Requirements. (https://publicstorage.dc4.pageuppeople.com/1045/ClientPublicFile/3601803f-02e5-4b70-b325-26c8ef309c1b.pdf)
All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).
Benefits:
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4:00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3:42 hours bi-weekly
Deferred compensation plan
Wellness plans
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave program here (https://hr.az.gov/about/resources/family-leave-expansion) . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page (https://benefitoptions.az.gov/jobseekers)
Retirement:
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
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 ADA@AZDCS.GOV. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Should you have any further questions regarding the interview process you can reach out to a member of our recruitment team at 602-255-2903 or by email at recruiting@azdcs.gov. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
