Program Manager

Overview

ARIZONA DEPARTMENT OF CHILD SAFETY. The Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) is a social and human services agency whose mission is to 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.

Program Manager | 965

E. Van Buren St., Avondale, AZ 85323

Salary: $38.0770 hourly / $79,200.16 annually.
Grade: 22.
Closing Date: 1/29/2026.

This position is responsible for managing unit supervisors and support staff and for promoting the safety and protection of children through sound decision-making and the consistent application of policies and procedures.

• Directs, instructs, and counsels unit supervisors in accordance with policies related to child services and personnel; initiates and follows through on disciplinary actions as necessary.
• Oversees unit workloads and work in progress; identifies resource needs and problem areas and implements corrective actions to ensure performance expectations are met.
• Conducts quality assurance activities, including random reviews of supervisors’ evaluations and employee documentation, and monitors high-profile cases.
• Develops and implements strategies to meet departmental goals; completes required weekly and monthly reports and provides feedback on policies and procedures.
• Resolves issues and responds to inquiries from staff, clients, case participants, mandated reporters, internal DCS staff, DCS Administration, and the public regarding policies, procedures, and case-related matters.
• Prepares critical incident reports and participates in debriefings.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and state laws and statutes pertaining to child welfare programs.
• Contemporary child welfare concepts and practices, including strength-based and family-centered approaches.
• Juvenile Court system policies and procedures.
• Community resources used in the delivery of child welfare services.
• The needs and responses of abandoned, neglected, abused, and economically disadvantaged children.

Skilled in:

• Applying principles of leadership, supervision, and work management.
• Conflict resolution and supervisory techniques.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with governmental officials, contracted service providers, and program clients.
• Verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Supervise multiple units within an assigned area.
• Conduct individual and group supervision focused on competence, skill development, and improved outcomes for children and families.
• Identify and ensure supervisory competence in safety and risk assessment practices.
• Travel statewide, work holidays as needed, and be available after business hours and on weekends to support child safety decisions.

The ideal candidate will have supervisory experience, experience with automated case management systems (Guardian), and knowledge of child welfare statutes and processes, including both investigative and ongoing case management.

A master’s or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and
:

• Three (3) years of DCS Program Supervisor experience;
  or
• One (1) year of DCS Program Supervisor Coach experience;
  and/or
• One (1) year of OCWI Investigations Manager experience.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One 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, and 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).

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.
• Compe…