INVESTIGATOR - Office of Child Welfare Investigations
Job Summary
The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) seeks a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist to lead high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect. This role involves conducting home visits, interviewing families, partnering with law enforcement, and documenting findings to support child safety.
Job Duties
- Assesses, responds to, and conducts investigations involving allegations of criminal conduct, child abuse, or neglect resulting in serious injury or death of a child.
- Accompanies Department of Child Safety Specialists on investigations, which may involve confronting situations.
- Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, and 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 needed.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs)
- Arcade Law related to Special Victims, Forensics, Homicide, Domestic Violence, Missing Persons, or a closely related law enforcement unit.
- A multi-disciplinary approach, including Child and Family Advocacy Centers, Child Welfare practices, and policy pertaining to abuse and neglect of children.
- Conducting high-profile, complex, and sensitive investigations.
- 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 investigations.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Preparing reports.
- Working with diverse groups and individuals.
- Demonstrating critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution.
- Recognizing issues/concerns at the inception of and taking appropriate action.
- Sharing and enhancing the understanding of investigative techniques.
- Demonstrating critical thinking, problem-solving, conflict resolution.
Pre-Employment Requirements
- Eighteen (18) months of law enforcement/detective/investigative experience specializing in crimes against children and sex crimes.
- Eighteen (18) months of experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist with AZ Department of Child Safety or any Child Safety State Agency.
- 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.
- Requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business.
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.
- A deferred compensation plan.
- Wellness plans.
Remote Work
An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion. Employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive.
Contact Us
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.