Job No: 541646
Work Type: Full-time
Location: AVONDALE,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.
Investigations Assistant Manager Office of Child Welfare Investigations
Job Location:
965 E Van Buren St., Avondale, AZ 85323 / 1925 W Pinnacle Peak Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85040
Posting Details:
Salary: $31.3702 hourly/ $65,250.0200 annual
Grade: 21
Closing Date: June 26, 2026
Job Summary:
The Office of Child Welfare Investigations (OCWI) Assistant Managers responds to and conducts high-profile, complex and sensitive investigations related to allegations of criminal conduct child abuse and neglect. In addition, this position advises and trains OCWI Investigative Specialists (OIS) in techniques and approaches for handling cases of alleged criminal conduct. Trains newly hired OIS on joint investigation protocol and how to investigate intakes received by the DCS Hotline with criminal conduct allegations. Travel is required for official State business
Job Duties:
Assesses, responds to and conducts investigations in conjunction with internal/external stakeholders involving allegations of criminal conduct child abuse or criminal neglect of Arizona's children which have resulted in serious injury or death of a child. Accompanies Department of Child Safety (DCS) Specialist and/or OIS on investigations, which are anticipate to be unusually difficult and may at times become confrontational. Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, makes entries into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System, and testifies in court as needed.
Provides on-the-job and in the field coaching, mentoring and support to newly hired OIS. Maintains sufficient/updated knowledge of related material/software in a rapidly-changing environment, e.g., new and existing legislation, policies, procedures and technological changes adopted by OCWI such that the expertise acquired enables accurate response to trainee inquiries and the unique situations presented. Conducts training for newly hired OIS related to techniques/strategies necessary for performance of sensitive investigations into allegations of child abuse/neglect, including observations, conducting interviews, detecting signs of child abuse/neglect, interrogations, forensics, and collecting evidence and other documents.
May act as manager in the absence of OCWI Manager.
Attends unit meetings, high profile staffing, multidisciplinary meetings, Team Decision Meetings and fatality review meetings as determined by case and business needs.
Other duties as assigned as related to the position.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
Principles of adult education, including learning style; and effective presentation techniques
Group dynamics and effective communication approaches with groups
Arizona Law related to special victims, forensics homicide, domestic violence, missing persons or a closely related law enforcement unit
Multi-disciplinary approach, including Child and Family Advocacy Centers
State's Children's Information Library and Data Source (Guardian) system, including ability to navigate and trouble shoot problems that arise
Child Welfare practices
Policy pertaining to abuse and neglect of children
Conducting high profile, complex, and sensitive investigations
Skill in:
Communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with trainees, teammates, colleagues, internal/external stakeholders, and all state management personnel
Navigation of all relates areas of Guardian and trouble-shooting technological problems that arise with trainees
Delivering training in a way that engages the trainee, conveys the concepts, and responds to questions that are asked
Identifying criminal or neglect and abuse in an investigation
Training investigative techniques and approaching families and children
Articulating how to effectively manage a caseload
Critical thinking, problem solving and conflict resolution
Providing excellent customer service
Ability to:
Learn new material rapidly, including delivery of training on new concepts, practices, laws and policies
Translate complex laws, policies and procedures into everyday practice
Effectively deliver training to a wide variety of audiences, with different backgrounds, personalities, and levels of expertise
Learn new technologies and methods of training delivery as training practice evolves
Conduct high profile, complex, and sensitive investigations
Recognize/respond to issues/concerns, and take appropriate action
Share and enhance the understanding of investigative techniques
Effectively maintain an OCWI caseload
Maintain a high level of self-direction, responsibility and professional conduct in all communications
Set professional boundaries
Develop expertise in content areas that are outside past experience
Adhere to the perspective county joint investigation protocols in OCWI investigations
Represent OCWI with a high level of knowledge and customer service
Selective Preference(s):
N/A
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Six (6) months as an OCWI Investigator Sr.
Requires the possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any driver training. Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintain valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration. Employees must also obtain and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and clear 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 offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes:
Affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance plans.
Paid vacation, sick leave, and holiday benefits.
Arizona State Retirement System participation.
Deferred compensation options.
Employee wellness programs.
Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities.
Work-life balance initiatives and employee assistance resources.
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)
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.
