ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

Phoenix, AZ 85021

Salary: $26.4424 hourly / $55,000.19 annual
Grade: 20
Closing Date: 3/21/2026

Under the direction of the Statewide Placement Administrator, this position will function as the Department of Child Safety (DCS) liaison to work with staff and foster parents to prevent childcare expulsion of children in DCS custody. Will connect DCS staff and foster families to training and technical assistance opportunities. Improve quality placement of child care for children by collaborating with state agencies including: Department of Economic Security, Department of Health Services, First Things First, Department of Education, and Head Start. This position requires advocating for the childcare needs of children in foster care.

• Collaborate with stakeholders and continue to recruit high quality childcare providers to support children in DCS custody. Site visits to childcare throughout the State.

• Attend meetings and collaborate with State agencies to perform the established initiatives to improve the quality placement of the child.

• Conduct research to identify availability of childcare specialties for special needs children.

• Participate in statewide expulsion prevention committee.

• Work with DCS staff and foster families to prevent disruption in foster care due to childcare issues. Provide training and technical assistance opportunities. Point of contact for child care needs.

• Subject matter expert for Federal reporting on child care. Reconciles ombudsman complaints related to child care. Ongoing policy review.

• Travel statewide to attend meetings, community events, engage with staff in the field, etc.

• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of:
- Statewide quality improvement and rating system.
- Federal and state rules and regulations regarding child care, including licensing standards and guidelines.
- Child development.
- Framework of promotion.
- Prevention, early intervention, and treatment to promote resilience and health.
- DCS Organizational structure.

Skill in:
- Data management
- Research
- Communication orally and in writing
- Multi-tasking
- Inter-personal relations
- Networking
- Forming relationships

Ability to:
- Work in successful partnership within DCS, across state agencies and within the community.
- Work independently with minimal supervision.
- Present to large/small groups.
- Work with education system.
- Travel statewide.

Master’s degree in psychology, social work, early childhood education, child development, or other related discipline plus five years of experience working with children, strong understanding of early childhood development, attachment theory, trauma and factors influencing developmental outcomes in the lives of children.

- Bachelor's Degree in psychology, social work, early childhood education, child development, or other related discipline required.

- Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card and maintain clearance from DCS Central Registry.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, and 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 an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting!

Benefits include:
- Paid sick leave.
- Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year.
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Competitive health and dental insurance plans.
- Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.

We also offer optional employee benefits that include:
- Vision coverage.
- Short-term disability insurance.
- Deferred compensation plans.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Employee wellness plans

BILINGUAL STIPEND
In an effort to better serve our communities, DCS offers a Bi-Lingual Stipend to all interested and eligible DCS Employees who successfully complete a language proficiency exam. Qualifying employees will receive a $500 annual stipend paid in equal increments.

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).

ASRS participation may begin immediately (if you were a previous member) or upon your 27th week of state employment (if you have never been an ASRS member previously).

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.