DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

OFFICE OF CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Salary: $33.6084 HRLY/$69,904.85 Salary 

Grade: 23

Closing Date: March 11, 2026

This position reports to the Office of Continuous Improvement (OCI) Administrator. This position is a leader within the agency that is responsible for the establishment and maintenance of a lean management system that is embedded within culture of the business, fosters a continuous improvement mindset, and practices psychological safety. The Lean Practitioner plays a critical role in advancing the mission of our social welfare organization by leading initiatives that enhance service delivery, operational efficiency, and client outcomes. Furthermore, this role partners with cross-functional teams to identify, design, and implement sustainable improvements using Lean, Six Sigma, and human-centered design principles. The ideal candidate is a collaborative, innovative self-starter who thrives in a mission-driven environment.

Continuous Improvement:

• Supports deployment and maintenance of the Arizona Management System (AMS) and lean methodologies. Facilitates initiatives that reduce case backlog, improve response times, and enhance service coordination Applies trauma-informed and equity-centered improvement practices. Promotes front line engagement in identifying and solving systemic issues.

Project Governance

• Standardizes project planning and execution across child welfare programs. Ensures alignment with federal, state, and agency mandates (e.g., CAPTA, FFPSA). Monitors project outcomes related to safety, permanency, and well-being.
  Portfolio Management
• Develops, maintains, and publishes project status reports to communicate project progress, status, and risks. Uploads project documentation and submits status reports as required. Serves as the central point of contact for project communications or questions. Develops and delivers presentations as requested regarding project progress and updates.

Training & Coaching

• Assists leaders and employees in examining current processes to identify opportunities for process improvement, and leads teams through collaborative process to improve service and productivity while reducing redundancy, time, and excess resources. Assists in identifying, developing, and sustaining metrics to measure success. Provides coaching on Lean practices and tools such KanBan charts, A3, root cause analysis, process mapping and change management. May require driving for the job.

Reporting & Analytics

• Deliver and assist other units in the creation of huddle/dashboards in the areas of people, quality, service level and cost metrics. Provide insights to leadership, QA teams, and external oversight bodies

Other duties as assigned to the position.

Knowledge of:

• Lean tools and principles (Value stream mapping, SIPOC, Plan/Do/Check/Act cycle)
  
• Kaizen Improvement (facilitated problem solving and rapid implementation)
  
• Business operations and management systems
  
• Strategic Planning
  
• Analytical concepts (conceptualize and organize the project planning process)
  
• Performance improvement methodologies and practices
  
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), SharePoint, and other project management applications

Skills in:

• Building long-term professional, sustainable relationships
  
• Core skills in driving effective team discussions
  
• Mentoring and training employees
  
• Project and time management
  
• Excellent communication (verbal and written)
  
• Critical, innovative and creative thinking
  
• Strong leadership, including group facilitation and problem resolution techniques
  
• Coaching process and behaviors
  
• Creating psychologically safe environments
  
• Understanding how actions affect organizational goals, customers, and long-term outcomes -Recognizing interdependencies between teams, processes, and resources

Ability to:

• Maintain comprehensive coordination while streamlining of work and communication
  
• Learn/apply the techniques and principles of the AMS and lean methodologies
  
• Manage oversight and balance the needs of multiple stakeholders
  
• Take responsibility and function under minimal supervision
  
• Accommodate flexibility and adapt to changing priorities in daily work
  
• Understand organization dynamics, navigate expertly, and achieve success in a consensus driven, psychologically safe, and team-oriented environment working with a wide range of individuals
  
• Establish, develop and maintain positive, productive relationships with individuals that do not have a direct reporting relationship
  
• Motivate groups toward common goals

The ideal candidate will have experience in project management and lean practices, excellent communication skills, strong desire to learn and deploy lean practices.

Requires the possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state-issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207.11). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintain valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration. Mileage may be reimbursed, if applicable. (Arizona Administrative Code Revised 1/29/2020)
Employees must also clear and maintain clearance to the DCS Central Registry.

Bachelor's Degree in any field

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.