CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATOR - PIMA COUNTY

Arizona Department of Administration; Tucson (AZ); Hybrid; USD 36,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Vacation time

Sick leave

Deferred compensation

Wellness program

Job summary

Arizona Department of Child Safety in Arizona seeks an Investigator in the Office of Child Welfare Investigations (Pima County) to conduct criminal conduct investigations involving felonies against children, perform home visits, interview witnesses and document findings for court proceedings. The role requires knowledge of state laws, strong investigative skills, and the ability to testify in court.

A background in child welfare and collaboration with stakeholders is essential; travel within the

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Investigation knowledge

Public relations

Interview children

Training investigators

Identify abuse

Verbal & written communication

Report writing

Diversity sensitivity

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 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.

INVESTIGATOR

OFFICE OF CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATIONS

Pima County

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20; Open Until Filled; Applications Reviewed Daily

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.

• 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.

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 US Mountain Standard Time
Applications close: