CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATOR - MARICOPA COUNTY

Arizona Department of Administration; Avondale (AZ); On-site; USD 39,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable medical benefits

Top-ranked retirement plans

10 paid holidays

Vacation time accrual

Sick time accrual

Deferred compensation plan

Wellness plans

Job summary

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY is seeking a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist for the Office of Child Welfare Investigations in Maricopa County. The role involves home visits, interviewing witnesses, documenting findings, and testifying in court.

Under supervision with some independence, you will investigate criminal conduct reports, coordinate with stakeholders, and support complex cases while adhering to joint investigation protocols.

Qualifications

• 18 months law enforcement experience; OR
• 18 months experience as Investigative DCS Specialist or similar Child Safety agency

Responsibilities

• Respond to and investigate criminal conduct reports involving child abuse or neglect
• Conduct interviews and collect documents for Statewide automated systems
• Testify in court regarding investigations and findings
• Assist on cases involving serious injury or death and sensitive investigations
• Attend high-profile staffing and inter-agency meetings
• Perform other duties appropriate to the assignment

Skills

Interviewing children

Court testimony

Written reports

Investigative techniques

Job description

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY

The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to successfully partner with families, caregivers, and the community to strengthen families, ensure safety, and achieve permanency for all Arizona’s children through prevention, services, and support.

INVESTIGATOR

OFFICE OF CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATIONS

Job Location:

Maricopa County

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20; Open Until Filled; Applications Reviewed Daily

Job Summary:

The Child Welfare Investigative Specialist primarily investigates criminal conduct reports with allegations of felony child abuse and/or neglect, which may have resulted in serious injury, or death of a child. This position conducts home visits, and documents interviews, testifies in court, assists and trains staff in the navigation of a variety of registries and inter-agency databases. Under supervision, with latitude for independent action and decision-making, the Child Welfare Investigative Specialist is assigned to an OCWI unit. The Child Welfare Investigative Specialist adheres to county specific joint investigation protocol throughout the investigation.

Job Duties:

• Assesses, responds to and investigates criminal conduct reports, in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders, generated by the Child Abuse Hotline
• Conducts interviews, collects documents and records interactions in the Statewide Automated - Child Welfare Information Systems
• Testifies in court regarding child welfare investigations
• Assists on cases involving allegations of child abuse resulting in serious injury or death; provides assistance related to strategies and techniques used when performing sensitive investigations of child abuse and neglect
• Attends a variety of meetings to include high profile staffing
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

• Arizona Law related to Special Victims, Forensics, Homicide, Domestic Violence, Missing Persons or a closely related law enforcement unit
• Multi-disciplinary approach, including Child and Family Advocacy Centers
• Child Welfare practices
• Policy pertaining to abuse and neglect of children
• Conducting high profile, complex and sensitive investigations

Skill in:

• Working with public relations
• Conducting interviews with children and family members
• Training investigative techniques and approaching families and children
• Identifying criminal or neglect and abuse in an investigations
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Preparing reports
• Working with diverse groups and individuals

Ability to:

• Conduct a high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
• Identify and analyze highly confidential situations and resolve
• Testify in court
• Document investigations
• Recognize issues/concerns at the inception of and take appropriate action
• Share and enhance the understanding of investigative techniques
• Demonstrate critical thinking, problem solving, conflict resolution
• Travel In-State

Selective Preference(s):

Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement/Detective/Investigative experience specializing in crimes again children and sex crimes

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement experience; AND/OR
• 18 months of experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist with AZ Department of Child Safety OR any Child Safety State Agency

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing an extensive background investigation through State and Federal agencies. In-State travel is required. Requires 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 required driver training (see Arizona Administrative Code R2-10-207 .12.). Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage may be reimbursed.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card

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).

Benefits:

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

Retirement:

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 employment (if you have never been an ASRS member previously).

Contact Us:

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 [e-mail]. 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 [e-mail]. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Advertised: 22 Sep 2026

Applications close: