Intergovernmental Liaison

Arizona Department of Child Safety; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 62,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plan

Paid holidays

Sick time

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Child Safety seeks an Intergovernmental Liaison to advance Tribal relations and ICWA implementation. The role oversees tribal policy, intergovernmental agreements, funding negotiations, and compliance monitoring, including supervision of a dedicated team.

The successful candidate will coordinate with Tribes and state agencies, lead trainings, and prepare annual reports and ICWA-related documentation to support child welfare services for Indian children and their

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in child welfare, tribal studies, or social work or related field.
• Bachelor’s degree in child welfare, tribal studies, or social services; relevant experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Represents the Department in program and public advocacy with Tribal government officials and communities statewide.
• Provides training on Tribal consultation and ICWA policy to staff, Tribes, and other entities.
• Supervises and manages DCS Tribal Relations staff to ensure compliance with laws and intergovernmental agreements.
• Leads efforts to resolve contract issues with Tribes and negotiates Tribal/state agreements and MOUs.
• Prepares reports for internal/external stakeholders and meets reporting requirements.
• Performs other duties related to the position.

Skills

Effective communication

Gov-to-Gov relations

Group facilitation

Supervision techniques

Needs analysis

Policy interpretation

Education

Master’s degree in child welfare / tribal studies / social work

Bachelor’s degree in child welfare / tribal studies / social services

Job description

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.

Intergovernmental Liaison - Tribal and ICWA Liaison

Job Location:

OFFICE OF STATEWIDE PREVENTION
3003 N Central Ave Phoenix, AZ 85012

Posting Details

Salary: $30.1510 HRLY/$62,714.08 Salary

Grade: 21

Closing Date: October 28, 2026

Job Summary

The Tribal and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) Liaison serves as the Department's primary resource for Tribal relations and ICWA implementation. The Liaison builds and maintains partnerships with Tribal governments and key organizations to support effective collaboration, consultation, and service delivery for Indian children and their families. The position oversees the Department's Tribal relations functions, including intergovernmental agreements, funding negotiations, compliance monitoring, reporting, and supervision of the Qualified Expert Witness (QEW).

Job Duties

• Represents the Department in program and public advocacy with Tribal government officials and community organizations, including participation in Tribal committees, forums, councils, and meetings with Tribes, government officials, DCS staff, and communities statewide.
• Overlooks and provides technical assistance and training on Tribal consultation and ICWA policy to Department staff, Tribes, and other public or private entities. Facilitates Department compliance with the Tribal consultation policy and coordinate with Tribal representatives, DCS staff, and partner organizations in delivering child welfare services to Indian children and their families.
• Supervises and manages DCS Tribal Relations staff to support compliance with child welfare and Tribal laws, policies, contracts, Intergovernmental Agreements, and statewide Qualified Expert Witness testimony.
• Leads efforts to resolve contract issues with Tribes and negotiate Tribal/state child welfare agreements, Title IV-B and Title IV-E Intergovernmental Agreements, and Memoranda of Understanding.
• Prepares reports and information for internal and external reporting needs, stakeholder requests, state and federal requirements, the Department's Title IV-B five-year plan and annual reports, and the annual Tribal Consultation Report.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge Of

• Tribal government structure and operations, including political, organizational, and decision-making processes, codes, and child welfare practices and procedures
• Culturally appropriate approaches to interpersonal and formal communication with Tribal leadership and governments
• The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) and applicable case law, state laws, rules, policies, and procedures that govern child welfare services, federal IV-B and IV-E requirements related to tribal consultation and compliance with ICWA
• Child welfare and related federal and state laws, policies, and procedures
• Child rearing practices among American Indian families and tribal community traditions including roles, functions, and family systems
• Principles and practices of management and supervision
• Tribal resources and culturally relevant services
• Coordination and facilitation strategies

Skills In

• The use of computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, e-mail and calendar
• Analyzing proposed actions and implementing recommendations in support of goals
• Effective communication, both verbal and written
• Analyzing needs and situations and recommending innovative ways to address issues involving the Department and Tribal governments and communities
• Building and maintaining collaborative government-to-government relationships
• Group facilitation, organization
• Coordinating across programs and governmental partners
• Supervision techniques
• Researching, analyzing, and applying federal and state statutes, regulations, rules and policies

Ability To

• Manage multiple, time-sensitive projects; prioritize competing demands; and complete work accurately, professionally, and on schedule
• Work independently when appropriate and collaborate effectively as part of a diverse team and work environment
• Provide staff with effective leadership, guidance, team building, and performance support while planning and organizing work procedures that promote accountability and high morale
• Build and maintain cooperative working relationships with agency staff, external stakeholders, Tribal governments, and communities while supporting policy development, planning, and implementation
• Demonstrate strong customer service, leadership, tact, integrity, initiative, resourcefulness, self-motivation, and innovation
• Develop knowledge of the Department's organization, policies, procedures, mission, objectives, and the connections among its various program areas

Selective Preference(s)

Master's degree in child welfare, tribal studies, social work or a related field with four years of advanced child welfare experience, including working with Tribal governments providing human services, social services, and/or child welfare services to the tribal populations OR; Minimum of a Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in child welfare, tribal studies, or social services; Extensive knowledge of the Indian Child Welfare Act and its application to Arizona's child welfare practice and other federal mandates.

Pre-Employment Requirements

• Must obtain and maintain clearance of the DCS Central Registry.
• Must obtain and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• This position does require 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

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

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

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.