DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

Salary: $22.5962 Hourly

Grade: 17

Closing Date: April 13, 2026

This recruitment is exclusively for current CWEP/CWTP students who are under contract and graduating in May 2026.

In this position, you will play a vital role in assessing child safety, supporting families, and ensuring children have safe, stable environments. Duties may include::
• Assessing child safety and risk.
• Conducting interviews and gathering information.
• Making in-and-out of home contacts with families and children.
• Attending Court hearings.
• Preparing case plans and conducting case plan staffing.
• Authoring professional reports and filling-out documentation.
• Coordinating and monitoring services.
• Placing children, transporting children, and moving a child’s possessions when needed.
• Managing cases throughout the respective county and assigned area.
• Using a computer and the Department’s Child Welfare Software Programs.

Training Program
Your first 22 weeks will be spent in full‑time training as a Trainee, including:

Classroom instruction at the DCS Learning and Development facility in Downtown Phoenix.
On‑the‑job training at an assigned regional office.
State‑paid hotel accommodations, with meal and mileage reimbursement (if eligible).
Completion of DCS learning tracks, regional training, and CPR certification.

Successful completion of training is essential to continued employment.

Position Duties include but are not limited to:

Investigations:
Responding to and documenting reports of suspected child abuse or neglect.
Interviewing individuals to assess family functioning and safety concerns.
Evaluating crisis situations and determining whether child removal is warranted.
Exploring foster, kinship, or group home placement options when necessary.

Ongoing:
Assisting families in achieving permanency through reunification, guardianship, adoption, or the Young Adult Program.
Facilitating access to community and contracted services.
Engaging families in Child and Family Team processes.
Maintaining accurate, timely documentation of all case activity.

Knowledge of:
Federal and State regulations related to child safety
Risk and safety assessment practices
Foster care programs
Community resources
Court processes and expectations
Computer systems and Microsoft Office Suite

Skill in:
Effective verbal and written communication
Building professional relationships
Time management and organization
Problem‑solving and critical thinking
Public speaking

Ability to:
Conduct interviews that gather essential information
Work collaboratively with diverse families and partners

Pre‑Employment Requirements:
Must currently be under contract with the Child Welfare Education Program (CWEP) or Child Welfare Training Program (CWTP) and graduating in May of 2026.
Employment is contingent on passing a background investigation.
Must provide awarded BSW or MSW transcripts within 30 days of graduation.
Must maintain personal transportation, valid driver’s license, and acceptable driving record, auto insurance, and Arizona registration (as required for state business travel).
Must maintain an Arizona DPS Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card.
Must be able to maintain DCS Central Registry clearance (or out‑of‑state equivalent).

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).

As a DCS employee, you are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that may begin as soon as two weeks after your start date, including:

Paid vacation, sick leave, and 10 annual holidays
Health and dental insurance options
Life insurance and long‑term disability
Optional benefits such as vision coverage, short‑term disability, supplemental life, deferred compensation, and employee wellness plans

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

All DCS Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of State 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.