CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATOR-PINAL COUNTY/EAST VALLEY

About the role

As a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist, you'll lead high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect. You'll conduct home visits, interview families, partner with law enforcement, and document your findings to support child safety. Working within an OCWI unit, you'll have support while exercising independent judgment throughout each case, following county joint-investigation protocols from start to finish. If you're driven, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, this role offers the chance to create real, lasting impact for children and families.

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

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 Eighteen (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
• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and clearance of the DCS Central Registry
• This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business. Driver's License Requirements apply
• All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify)

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

Pay

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

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
• Full-time or part-time remote work schedule available (management option, not an employee entitlement; agency may terminate at its discretion)
• Paid Parental Leave pilot program

Schedule

Work will be conducted throughout the East Valley and Pinal County. This position requires in-state travel.

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