CHILD WELFARE INVESTIGATOR-PINAL COUNTY/EAST VALLEY

Arizona Department of Child Safety; Apache Junction (AZ); On-site; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Affordable health insurance

Top retirement plans

10 paid holidays

Vacation time 4:00 hours bi-weekly

Job summary

Arizona Department of Child Safety is seeking an Investigator for the Office of Child Welfare Investigations. The role focuses on leading high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect, conducting home visits, interviewing families, and coordinating with law enforcement to document findings for safety decisions.

You will work within OCWI, follow joint investigation protocols, and exercise independent judgment across cases.

Qualifications

• Minimum 18 months law enforcement experience; OR
• 18 months experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist or in a related child safety agency

Responsibilities

• Lead investigations into serious child abuse or neglect cases with internal and external partners.
• Document findings and prepare reports for management and court proceedings.
• Testify in court and participate in meetings as required by case needs.

Skills

Investigations

Interviewing

Court testimony

Written reports

Communication

Tools

Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System

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

Job Location: Pinal County/East Valley

Posting Details

Hourly Salary: $29.0866

Grade: 20

Job Summary

As a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist, you'll lead high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect. You'll conduct home visits, interview families, partner with law enforcement, and document your findings to support child safety.

Working within an OCWI unit, you'll have support while exercising independent judgment throughout each case, following county join-investigation protocols from start to finish. If you're driven, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, this role offers the chance to create real, lasting impact for children and families.

Job Duties

• Assesses, responds to and conducts investigations in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders involving allegations of criminal conduct child abuse or criminal neglect of Arizona's children which have resulted in serious injury or death of a child. Accompanies Department of Child Safety Specialist on investigations, which are anticipated to be unusually difficult and may at time become confrontational.
• Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, makes entries into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.
• Testifies in court regarding OCWI investigations
• Attends unit meetings, high profile staffing, multidisciplinary meetings, Team Decision Meetings and fatality review meetings as determined by case and business needs.
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

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
• Maintain a high level of self-direction and responsibility

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
• Eighteen (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.

Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and clearance of the DCS Central Registry.

This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business. 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

• 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). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. 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].