Job No: 542873
Work Type: Full-time
Location: AVONDALE
Categories: Social Work/Human Services,Management/Supervisor
ARIZONA 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.
PROGRAM SUPERVISOR
Investigations
Job Location:
965 E. Van Buren St.
Avondale, AZ 85323
Posting Details:
Salary: $31.6827 hourly / $65,900.0200 annually
Grade: 21
Closing Date: 8/13/2026
Job Summary:
Under the direction of the Department of Child Safety Program Manager, this position serves as a supervisor and is responsible for managing the workflow of a Unit of DCS Specialists, Case Aides and support staff that are engaged in child safety services.
Job Duties:
Directs, supervises and instructs direct reports according to department and regional policies pertaining to child protective services.
Reviews work products and analyzes facts obtained by DCS specialists. Provides input on cases. Evaluates appropriateness of assessments and decisions made as well as intervention plans, case plans, progress, barriers, placement, services, visitation, etc. to ensure child safety and compliance.
Interviews and trains staff within the unit. Develops work schedules.
Meets monthly with employees to discuss performance. Completes employee evaluations. Initiates disciplinary actions, if necessary.
Responds/resolves problems and questions presented by customers, case participants, internal DCS staff, and other stakeholders to address concerns involving policy, procedures and issues related to specific cases.
Attends management staff meetings, training, professional seminars, conferences and participates in problem-solving/decision-making.
Produces, utilizes and sends reports.
Other duties as assigned.
Required Training:
DCS Specialist Training track classroom sessions unless this training has been completed within the previous two years.
DCS Program Supervisor Training Track.
Note: Training will be provided. Classroom sessions are held in Phoenix.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):
Knowledge of:
Federal and State laws, regulations and directives governing child protective services.
Risk assessment practices and procedures.
Principles and Practices of work leadership and management.
Theories of personality development and adjustment.
Policies and procedures of court systems.
Community Resources.
Skill in:
Verbal and written communication.
Eliciting information through interviews.
Establishing and maintaining work relationships with children, their families, and court representatives.
Resolving problems.
Delivering public speeches.
Supervision techniques.
Ability to:
Apply the principles and practices of work leadership and the DCS Management System.
Maintain professional boundaries.
Lead by example.
Work as a team member.
Recognize employee strengths and development opportunities.
Prepare detailed documentation of parent, child, and professional contacts to ensure that the records accurately convey reported information and minimize misinterpretation.
Perform after-hour duties.
To learn policies and procedures of Guardian and automated systems.
Selective Preference(s):
Lateral Transfers will be given preference. Qualifications for lateral transfers:
Must be a current DCS employee.
Must currently be in a Program Supervisor position for 12 consecutive months.
Must be meeting expectations in current position (Performance Evaluation score of meets expectations on last evaluation), not currently under a Performance Improvement Plan or under review as part of a Memo of Concern.
No discipline within the last 12 months.
Pre-Employment Requirements:
Master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND three (3) years of experience with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS).
OR
Master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND
two (2) years of combined experience in the DCS Specialist Trainee, DCS Specialist, DCS Program Specialist, Investigator Sr., or Assistant Manager role, AND Six (6) months of experience in a DCS Program Supervisor Special Assignment role.
OR
Master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND
two (2) years of combined experience in the DCS Specialist Trainee, DCS Specialist, DCS Program Specialist, Investigator Sr., or Assistant Manager role, AND one (1) year of professional-level supervisory experience.
Note: Proof of professional-level supervisory experience will be requested after candidate has been recommended for hire. Professional-level supervisory experience is defined as being responsible for managing personnel, allocating resources, conducting performance evaluations, reviewing salaries, and making personnel action recommendations.
OR
Master's or bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, AND
five (5) years of combined experience with a Government or Tribal Child Welfare agency or an Arizona agency that specializes in child welfare practice.
AND
Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from the Central Registry.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Must be able to pass a DCS background check.
This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, and 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:
As an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting!
Benefits include:
Paid sick leave
Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year.
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly placed. foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Competitive health and dental insurance plans.
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
We also offer optional employee benefits that include:
Vision coverage.
Short-term disability insurance.
Deferred compensation plans.
Supplemental life insurance.
Employee wellness plans.
Bi-Lingual Stipend
In an effort to better serve our communities, DCS offers a Bi-Lingual Stipend to all interested and eligible DCS Employees who successfully complete a language proficiency exam. Qualifying employees will receive a $500 annual stipend paid in equal increments.
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).
ASRS participation may begin immediately (if you were a previous member) or upon your 27th week of employment (if you have never been an ASRS member previously).
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.
