DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully engage children and families to ensure safety, strengthen families, and achieve permanency. DCS has field office locations located throughout the state of Arizona, with its central office located in Downtown Phoenix. DCS employs over 2,800 employees who share the common vision of ensuring children thrive in family environments free from abuse and neglect.

Offices are located in Winslow, Arizona and Show Low, Arizona

Rate: $21.70

Grade: 17

At the Arizona Department of Child Safety (“DCS”), we call ourselves "compassioneers" because everything we do is done with a compassionate heart. We work tirelessly to protect children, reunify families, ensure safe living environments and prevent unnecessary trauma. As an agency, we are proud to be a pillar of strength for our communities, and proud to do work each day that makes an impact on the world around us every day.

Becoming a Child Safety Specialist can be a life-changing event! If you have a passion to work with children and families, DCS is the place for you.

Together we can make a difference through service!

Step Increases
Child Safety Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows:

Successful completion of the 22 weeks CORE training $22.59/hour

One year of Child Safety Specialist service $24.11/hour

Two years of Child Safety Specialist service $25.96/hour

Three years of Child Safety Specialist service $27.66/hour

If you’re good at what you do, you can work anywhere. If you’re the best at what you do, come work at DCS!

Knowledge of:
Confidential principles; behavior modification, conflict resolution and counseling principles and techniques; intervention techniques; interviewing procedures; child development, family systems, family centered practice; behavioral indicators of mental health disturbance, impact of abuse and neglect, separation and loss issues and child welfare practices.
Computers and software (Microsoft Office Suite); mobile devices, digital calendars (Outlook) & video conferencing (Microsoft Teams).

Skill in:
Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships; verbal and written communication; eliciting and gathering information; modeling professional behavior with clients; time management and multi-tasking; keen observation; sensitivity to needs, feelings and cultures; dealing calmly and effectively with high stress situations; adaptability; and making independent decisions.

Ability to:
Complete work tasks thoroughly; lead, take responsibility; analyze information and use logic to address work-related issues and problems; recognize and address substance abuse issues in adults and children and develop necessary intervention strategies; prepare detailed documentation of client and professional contact to ensure records are accurately conveyed and reported; and enter, retrieve and correct data in a computer-based system; and acquire and renew CPR Certification.

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university-must provide awarded transcripts to confirm degree, OR four (4) years of experience as a DCS Case Aide
• Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
• A valid Arizona driver license, vehicle registration and insurance
• During the first 22 weeks of employment required in person training in Midtown Phoenix involving overnight stays, if necessary, every other week.

• Paid sick leave
• Paid annual leave
• Ten paid holidays per calendar year
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Arizona State Retirement System Savings (ASRS)
• Employee and Dependent Life insurance
• Long-term and short-term disability insurance
• Deferred compensation plans
• Wellness incentive program
• Employee discount program for higher education, products and services
• Education Savings – AZ529
• Employee Assistance Program

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

All Child Safety Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of state employment.
ASRS is a defined benefit plan which means at retirement you are guaranteed a lifetime benefit that does not run out and can never be reduced!

Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by contacting 602-255-2903. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.