CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATOR-PIMA COUNTY

About the Role

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.

Responsibilities

• 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, Skills & Abilities

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

Qualifications

Selective Preference: Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement/Detective/Investigative experience specializing in crimes against children and sex crimes.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement experience; AND/OR 18 months of experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist with AZ Department of Child Safety OR any Child Safety State Agency
• Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing an extensive background investigation through State and Federal agencies
• In-State travel is required
• Requires 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 required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207 .12.)
• Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage may be reimbursed
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One 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)

Benefits

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

Pay

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20

Schedule

Job Location: 5874 W Ina Rd Tucson, AZ 85705

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.