DCS INTAKE ASSOCIATE - CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE - STATEWIDE - 09222026-81104

About the role

The DCS Intake Associate is the training, entry-level classification in the Child Abuse Hotline series. A person in this classification is assigned to work in a crisis-oriented call center and develops skills to conduct an investigatory intake of alleged child abuse and neglect and to appropriately assess the situation to determine next steps to immediately address child safety and risk concerns. This class differs from the DCS Intake Specialist* in that the latter functions at the working level. An applicant appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to the next higher class in the series after successful completion of a mandatory one-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination. The position may be located in any of the following Tennessee cities: Dresden, Jackson, Memphis, Nashville, Clarksville, Murfreesboro, Columbia, Cookeville, Chattanooga, Oak Ridge, Knoxville, Maryville, Johnson City. Opening date/time: 09/22/2026 12:00 AM Central Time; closing date/time: 09/28/2026 11:59 PM Central Time.

Responsibilities

• Take phone calls and on-line submissions for allegations of child abuse and neglect.
• Using interviewing skills, policy, and protocols determine if the allegation meets criteria to be investigated.
• Prepare the referral for assignment.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree. Substitution of Experience for Education: Two (2) years' experience as a DCS Case Management Assistant may be substituted for the bachelor's degree.

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application.
• Be a citizen of the United States.
• Possess a valid driver's license prior to and during employment.
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation.
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Have no conviction for a felony.
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointment authority.
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
• Ability to work nights, evenings, weekends and/or holidays as needed.
• Ability to work remotely or physical office location. To work remotely, must have access to a private and confidential workspace and access to hardwired internet services.
• Ability to manually type 40 wpm or higher.

Skills

Competencies (KSA's): Customer Focus, Action Oriented, Interpersonal Savvy, Demonstrates Self-Awareness, Situational Adaptability, Knowledge Communications and Media, Customer and Personal Service, Public Safety and Security, Law and Government.

• Active Learning and Listening
• Complex Problem Solving
• Critical Thinking
• Reading Comprehension
• Social Perceptiveness

Abilities: Auditory Attention, Deductive Reasoning, Inductive Reasoning, Problem Sensitivity.

• Auditory Attention
• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity

Tools & Equipment: Laptop, Computer, Headsets.

• Laptop
• Computer
• Headsets

Pay

Salary (Monthly): $3,229.00 - $4,041.00; Salary (Annually): $38,748.00 - $48,492.00.