PROGRAM SPECIALIST

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.
PROGRAM SPECIALIST-SECTION Job Location: 2760 S.
4TH AVE TUCSON, ARIZONA 85713 Posting Details: Salary: $27.
8125 Grade: 20 Closing Date: 1/09/2024 Job Summary: This position is responsible for supporting the Program Manager, Supervisors and the Management team with training, collecting and improving systematic information and data entry, support with systematic updates, and corrections as requested within strict deadlines.
Support the field by conducting case consultations with highly complex specialized cases and may assist the Regional Automation Liaison (RAL)with some tasks in order to ensure fluidity of data collection and tracking.
Job Duties: - Evaluate and interpret information related to program policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
- Arrange, coordinate and schedule staff training and development to all new and existing staff as appropriate and in needed areas.
- Record detailed documentation of reports, activities, transactions or production with specific time lines - Supports DCS Unit Supervisor’s by completing case review guides in compliance with Case management policy - Participates and attends decision-making, staffing, court hearings, management meetings that relates to the removal, return and /or placement of children.
- Evaluate and interpret information related to program policies, procedures, rules and regulations.
- Arrange, coordinate and schedule staff training and development to all new and existing staff as appropriate and in needed areas.
- Record detailed documentation of reports, activities, transactions or production with specific time lines - Supports DCS Unit Supervisor’s by completing case review guides in compliance with Case management policy - Participates and attends decision-making, staffing, court hearings, management meetings that relates to the removal, return and /or placement of children.
- Participate in the team management practice, conference, designs and/or implement special projects by conducting special studies and research projects.
- Other duties as assigned as related to the position Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs): Knowledge of: - Federal and State laws, statutes, regulations and directives governing g DCS services - Arizona’s child safety model - Risk assessment practices and procedures - Developmental and behavior problems of children - Resources available in the community - Policies and procedures of the court system - Policy development and training procedures - Case management policy Skill in: - Evaluation and Decision making - Verbal and written communication - Report preparation and analyzing data - Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships as applied to contracts with families, children and representatives if court.
- Interviewing and supervision techniques.
Ability to: - Elicit information through interviews - Evaluate and make decisions on cases - Manage workload and personnel - Open discussions effectively and clarify the current situation - Remain open to all sides and stay focused on resolution - Close discussion with clear summaries - Work overtime, as needed - Maintain confidentiality - Travel in - state Selective Preference(s): - The selected candidate will have a combination of on the job experience and specialized training/education.
Pre-Employment Requirements: - Master's or Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university OR - Three (3) years of combined DCS Specialist Trainee / DCS Specialist experience OR - Three (3) years of combined DCS Specialist Trainee / OCWI Investigator experience.
- Applicants for this position shall be subject to a search of the DCS Central Registry - Applicants for this position will be required to apply for and show proof of receipt of a valid Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card that meets DCS requirements for a Level One card - Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; however, mileage will be reimbursed 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: As an employee of the Department of Child Safety you will be entitled to a comprehensive benefits package that can become effective as soon as two weeks after starting! Benefits include: - Paid sick leave.
- Paid vacation that includes ten (10) holidays per year.
- Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Competitive health and dental insurance plans.
- Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
We also offer optional employee benefits that include: - Vision coverage.
- Short-term disability insurance.
- Deferred compensation plans.
- Supplemental life insurance.
- Employee wellness plans Bi-Lingual Stipend In an effort to better serve our communities, DCS offers a Bi-Lingual Stipend to all interested and eligible DCS Employees who successfully complete a language proficiency exam.
Qualifying employees will receive a $500 annual stipend paid in equal increments.
Retirement: Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).
Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks state 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 602-255-2903.
Requests should be made as early as possible to allow time to arrange the accommodation.
The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.