QUALITY ASSURANCE COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Arizona Department of Child Safety; Phoenix (AZ); Remote; USD 55,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Child Safety is seeking a Practice Improvement Specialist to oversee case reviews and ensure the compliance and effectiveness of child welfare services. This role will involve analyzing performance data, coordinating with various teams, and providing feedback to improve practices that enhance child safety and family well-being. Candidates should possess a relevant degree and extensive experience in the child welfare sector.

Benefits

Affordable medical, dental, and life insurance

Top-ranked retirement plans

10 paid holidays per year

Vacation time accrued

Wellness plans

Qualifications

• Experience in Child Welfare and conducting quality assurance case reviews preferred.
• Ability to secure an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.
• Experience with federal policies and procedures as they pertain to Child Welfare.

Responsibilities

• Conduct extensive and detailed PICRs and CFSR.
• Analyze and distribute regional performance data.
• Facilitate discussions with regional managers about process improvements.

Skills

Verbal and written communication

Time management

Coaching skills

Proper investigative practices

Education

Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university

Tools

DCS data entry system (Guardian)

Job description

The Practice Improvement Specialist is responsible for Practice Improvement Case Reviews (PICR) and Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR). This position includes overseeing review schedules and logistics, case selection, informing field staff of upcoming reviews, conducting extensive and detailed case reviews, coaching DCS Specialists and Supervisors, providing consultation and feedback, facilitation of case review team meetings and / or feedback meetings with involvement of staff, reviewing all completed PICR instruments for accuracy, negotiating final ratings with the Practice Improvement (PI) Manager and / or Administrator, and submitting completed PICR instruments to the PI Manager within required time frames.

This position is responsible for monitoring, analyzing, and distributing regional performance data; facilitating discussions with regional managers and supervisors about process improvements, performance data, CFSRs and findings, PICR findings, CFSR Permanency composite and Program Improvement Plan (PIP) data, and other practice and outcome related performance data.

This position coordinates with other Department team members including Supervision Coaches, Statewide Supervision Coaches, Learning & Development, Policy, and Program Development to analyze trends seen in case work that should be the focus of improvement strategies. This position also participates in committees, workgroups and other activities to improve practice and safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes.

Upon request of the PI Administrator this position conducts supervisory level functions including mentoring and coaching Program Supervisors and DCS Specialists; conducts clinical supervision for all types of cases with the purpose of moving towards case closure or child permanency; and completes case closure reviews and approvals. This position also conducts critical decision making reviews and case consultations with DCS Specialists, Program Supervisors, and Program Managers.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

Job Duties :

• Conduct extensive and detailed PICRs, provide peer consultation and feedback, facilitate case review meetings and / or feedback, review all completed PICR instruments for accuracy, negotiate final ratings with the PI Manager, and submit completed PICR instruments to the PI Manager within required time frames.
• Conduct targeted practice and outcome related evaluations, upon request of management.
• Monitor, analyze, and distribute regional performance data; facilitate discussions with regional managers and supervisors about process improvements, performance data, CFSR on-site reviews and findings, PICR findings

CFSR Permanency composite and PIP data, and other practice and outcome related performance data. Conduct targeted practice and outcome related evaluations, upon request of management.

• Coordinate with other DCS team members including Supervision Coaches, Statewide Supervision Coaches, L&D, policy, and program development on efforts related to trends seen in case work that should be the focus of improvement strategies. Participate in committees, workgroups and other activities to improve practice and safety, permanency and well-being outcomes.
• Conduct federal CFSR case reviews; monitor and report progress toward completion of regional tasks and goals, share CFSR data with Department staff.
• Conduct mid-management level functions including coaching Program Supervisors and DCS Specialists; consult during clinical supervision for all types of cases with the purpose of moving towards case closure or child permanency; and perform other duties as assigned. Conduct critical decision making and case consultation with DCS Specialists, Program Supervisors, and Program Managers.
• Other duties as assigned as related to the position.

Knowledge of :

• Federal policy and procedures as they pertain to Child Welfare Protective Services
• Accurately apply law and policy to case work; Indian Child Welfare Act; Juvenile Court Procedures and legal documents; Region Operating Procedures
• Coaching skills; legal issues and social work principles that effect child welfare practice; potential effects of cultural differences on family dynamics
• Full range of physical and behavioral indicators of children who have been physically, sexually or emotionally abused and / or neglected
• Stages, processes and milestones of normal physical, cognitive, social and emotional factors and the resulting effects on the strengths and limitations of individuals - - Working with caregivers and other significant persons in order to work with families and children involved in separation
• Conducting investigation and case planning activities
• Role of law enforcement in responding to and investigating abuse and neglect allegations, including knowledge of local protocols

Skills in :

• Verbal and written communication
• Time management
• Understanding the importance and role of relatives and significant others as placement options for children who must be removed from their homes
• Interpreting family dynamics in order to determine risks; determining the intervention and service delivery plans appropriate to the needs of the child and family
• Proper investigative practices and procedures for conducting an investigation of alleged abuse or neglect; and thoroughly assessing and developing findings

Ability to :

• Use or learn the DCS data entry system (Guardian); enter, locate, retrieve information and correct data in the automated system
• Communicate clearly desired outcomes
• Maintain professional boundaries; lead by example; work as a team member; recognize employee strengths and weaknesses and provide needed remediation; remain calm and clear headed in emergency volatile situations in order to communicate and diffuse the situation; draw together from multiple / varied sources to support conclusions and decision making
• Recognize the development and psychological consequences of various types of abuse and / or neglect
• Learn State policy and procedures as they pertain to Child Welfare Protective Services
• Learn Continuous quality improvement cycle, the practice improvement case review process and the federal Child and Family Services Review process

Selective Preference(s) :

One year experience as a Department of Child Safety Program Supervisor in Arizona is preferred.

Pre-Employment Requirements :

Master’s or Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university AND four (4) years of combined DCS Trainee / DCS Specialist / OCWI Investigator / OCWI Manager experience / DCS Program Specialist / DCS Program Supervisor experience OR two (2) years full-time experience from another state or jurisdiction conducting child welfare quality assurance case reviews, similar to the Arizona Practice Improvement Case Review or the federal Child and Family Services Review.

The ability to secure and maintain a Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card; and the ability to secure and maintain clearance from 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, 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 3.70 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 programhere.