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.

This office is located in downtown Phoenix. Interviews for this position are in-person only.

Rate: $21.70 (+5% differential for 2nd shift, +10% differential for 3rd shift)

Grade: 17

Shifts (subject to change):

Tuesday to Saturday 10:30 am - 7 pm

Tuesday to Saturday 4:30 pm - 1 am

Tuesday to Saturday 5 pm - 1:30 am

Saturday to Tuesday 8:30 pm to 7 am

Thursday to Sunday 9:15 pm - 7:45 am

At the Arizona Department of Child Safety (“DCS”), we call ourselves "compassioneers" because everything we do is done with a compassionate heart. We work tirelessly to protect children, reunify families, ensure safe living environments and prevent unnecessary trauma. As an agency, we are proud to be a pillar of strength for our communities, and proud to do work each day that makes an impact on the world around us every day.
Becoming a Hotline Specialist can be a life-changing event! If you have a passion to help children in need, DCS is the place for you.
Together we can make a difference through service!
Step Increases
Hotline Specialists are eligible for incremental pay increases as follows:

Successful completion of the 22 weeks CORE training $22.59/hour

One year of Child Safety Specialist service $24.11/hour

Two years of Child Safety Specialist service $25.96/hour

Three years of Child Safety Specialist service $27.66/hour

If you’re good at what you do, you can work anywhere. If you’re the best at what you do, come work at DCS!

Knowledge of:
Federal and State child protection laws; normal child development stages; potential effects of cultural differences on parenting; impacts of substance abuse, mental health, domestic violence, and poverty on families; roles and responsibilities of courts, law enforcement, hospitals, schools, mental health agencies, and other entities that serve children and families; physical and behavioral indicators of abuse, and neglect; conflict resolution techniques; statewide community resources; Microsoft Office Suite - Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Teams and call center applications.
Skill in:
Active listening; Demonstrating sensitivity to others' needs, perspectives, experiences, and cultures; Making crucial time sensitive decisions independently and with accuracy; Using technology with high proficiency; Typing at least 45 words per minute; Critical thinking and reasoning; Adapting interview techniques based on the caller's needs; Responding calmly and effectively during high stress situations.
Ability to:
Work on-site in a busy call center environment handling emotionally stressful matters; understand DCS policies, procedures, standards, and practices; manage conflicting priorities under time constraints and high workloads; recognize indicators of abuse, and neglect; communicate effectively; perform phone interviews while simultaneously inputting documentation into the department's management information system; be thorough, precise and accurate when completing work; Write clear, intelligible, and professional narratives; and respond to the needs of the public in a professional manner free of judgment or bias.

• Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree from an accredited college or university
• Complete all required trainings without absence

Bi-Lingual Stipend
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.

For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

All Child Safety Specialist positions participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility becomes effective after 27 weeks of state employment. ASRS is a defined benefit plan which means at retirement you are guaranteed a lifetime benefit that does not run out and can never be reduced!

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. Arizona State Government is an AA/EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.