ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

663 W Main Ave.

Casa Grande, AZ 85122 

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20

The Child Welfare Investigative Specialist primarily investigates criminal conduct reports with allegations of felony child abuse and/or neglect, which may have resulted in serious injury, or death of a child. This position conducts home visits, and documents interviews, testifies in court, assists and trains staff in the navigation of a variety of registries and inter-agency databases. Under supervision, with latitude for independent action and decision-making, the Child Welfare Investigative Specialist is assigned to an Office of Child Welfare Investigations (OCWI) unit. The Child Welfare Investigative Specialist adheres to county specific joint investigation protocol throughout the investigation.

• Assesses, responds to and conducts investigations in conjunction with internal and 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 Specialist on investigations, which are anticipated to be unusually difficult and may at time become confrontational. 
  
• Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, makes entries into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.
  
• Testifies in court regarding OCWI investigations
  
• Attends unit meetings, high profile staffing, multidisciplinary meetings, Team Decision Meetings and fatality review meetings as determined by case and business needs.
  
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge of:

• 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
  
• Child Welfare practices
  
• Policy pertaining to abuse and neglect of children
  
• Conducting high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
  

Skill in:

• Working with public relations
  
• Conducting interviews with children and family members
  
• Training investigative techniques and approaching families and children
  
• Identifying criminal or neglect and abuse in an investigations
  
• Strong verbal and written communication
  
• Preparing reports
  
• Working with diverse groups and individuals
  

Ability to:

• Conduct a high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
  
• Identify and analyze highly confidential situations and resolve
  
• Testify in court
  
• Document investigations
  
• Recognize issues/concerns at the inception of and take appropriate action
  
• Share and enhance the understanding of investigative techniques
  
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution
  
• Travel In-State
• Maintain a high level of self-direction and responsibility

At least 18 months in law enforcement experience AND/OR eighteen (18) months of DCS Specialist or OCWI Investigator with experience in an investigations unit.

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing an extensive background investigation through State and Federal agencies. 

Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry.

Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

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.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

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 3.70 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 pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  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. 

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