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The Foster Home/Group Home Department of Child Safety (DCS) Specialist is responsible for conducting safety and risk assessments for reports of abuse and neglect. In addition, this position is accountable for analyzing data and making decisions regarding children's safety/risk, well-being, and permanency by using the agency's Child Safety Assessment, The Strengths and Risk Assessment and Case Plan process, and demonstrating Family-to-Family values/Family Centered Practice strategies.

• Makes decisions regarding a child's safety vs. risk, permanency, and well-being using the agency's Child Safety Assessment/Strengths and Risk Assessment/Case Plan by gathering and analyzing information utilizing Family Centered Practice strategies. Methods include interviewing clients, engaging and partnering with families, researching family histories, ordering/reviewing medical records, police records, school records, social service records, evaluating gathered information with a supervisor by creating a safety plan, intervention plan or a family centered, behaviorally focused case plan for services.
  
• Organizes, plans and continuously prioritizes work-developing specific plans to efficiently and effectively complete tasks and recordkeeping. Speaks with supervisor to prioritize cases with greatest risk based on completed assessments and with assistance of supervisor, if needed.
  
• Resolves conflicts-negotiating with others-handling complaints, settling disputes and resolving grievances or conflicts with clients, or otherwise negotiating with others. This responsibility includes interviewing involved parties, evaluating information, reaching conclusions and making case plans based on sound casework principles and organizational values.
  
• Obtains information-observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources. This includes documenting observations and information received in a format that is usable by others. Maintains current information on Guardian and other applicable case management systems which meet established work standards.
  
• Evaluates information to determine compliance with standards-using relevant information and individual judgment to take appropriate action in compliance with laws, regulations, policies and standards. This involves researching/reviewing DCS policies and procedures and staffing cases with a supervisor to determine consistency with division values and goals.
  
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state child welfare laws, policies, procedures and practices
  
• Normal child development stages, processes, and milestones
  
• Potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics
  
• Roles and responsibilities of courts, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, mental health systems, community agencies, and other child welfare professionals
  
• Physical and behavioral indicators of abuse, neglect, and mental health disturbances
  
• Crisis intervention protocol
  
• Conflict resolution techniques
  
• Statewide community resources
  
• Microsoft Office Outlook, Word, PowerPoint
  

Skills in:

• Communicating effectively while actively listening to others
  
• Making critical decisions independently
  
• Proficiency with technology, especially computers, software applications, and phone systems
  
• Typing at least 45 words per minute
  
• Critical thinking and reasoning
  
• Applying interviewing techniques based on the individual case
  
• Preparing accurate and detailed documentation of reported information
  

Ability to:

• Work in a busy call center environment
  
• Recognize indicators of abuse/neglect
  
• Remain calm and clear-headed in tense/crisis situations
  
• Sit for long periods of time
  
• Perform phone interviews while simultaneously inputting information into a database
  
• Work in time constraints, high call volumes, and stressful conditions
  
• Accept responsibility for work product and outcomes
  
• Maintain professional boundaries
  
• Work various shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays

Bachelor's degree in social work/welfare or related field. 18 months prior job experience in child welfare. On-the-job training, work experience, child-welfare related training, mentoring, in-service training, seminars, professional literature.

Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver license appropriate to the assignment.
Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver's license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver's license record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.11)
The ability to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and the ability to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.

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 3:42 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 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.

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