Investigator Maricopa County - Office of Child Welfare Investigations

INVESTIGATOR Maricopa County - Office of Child Welfare Investigations

ARIZONA 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.

The Child Welfare Investigative Specialist primarily investigates criminal conduct reports with allegations of felony child abuse and/or neglect, which may have resulted in serious injury or death of a child. This position conducts home visits, documents interviews, testifies in court, and assists and trains staff in navigating a variety of registries and inter‑agency databases. Under supervision, with latitude for independent action and decision‑making, the specialist is assigned to an OCWI unit and adheres to county‑specific joint investigation protocol throughout the investigation.

• Assesses, responds to and investigates criminal conduct reports, in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders, generated by the Child Abuse Hotlineli>
• Conducts interviews, collects documents and records interactions in the Statewide Automated - Child Welfare Information Systems
• Testifies in court regarding child welfare investigations
• Assists on cases involving allegations of child abuse resulting in serious injury or death; provides assistance related to strategies and techniques used when performing sensitive investigations of child abuse and neglect
• Attends a variety of meetings, including high‑profile staffing meetings
• Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment

• 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

• 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 investigations
• Strong verbal and written communication
• Preparing reports
• Working with diverse groups and individuals

• Conduct a high‑profile, complex and sensitive investigation
• 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

• 2 years Law enforcement/Detective/Investigative experience specializing in crimes against children and sex crimes; or
• 18 months of experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist with Arizona 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. In‑State travel is required. Requires possession of and ability to retain a current, valid state‑issued driver's license appropriate to the assignment. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records and must complete any required driver training.

Employees may be required to use their own transportation as well as maintaining valid motor vehicle insurance and current Arizona vehicle registration; mileage may be reimbursed.

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

• Paid sick leave
• Paid annual leave>
• Ten paid holidays per calendar year
• Health, dental and vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Account
• Health Savings Account
• Arizona State Retirement System Savings (ASRS)
• Employee and Dependent Life insurance
• Long‑term and short‑term disability insurance
• Deferred compensation plans
• Wellness incentive program
• Employee discount program…