Senior Investigator & Child Safety Specialist

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Ombudsman-Citizens’ Aide is an independent agency of the Arizona Legislature established to make government more responsive to citizens. It serves as a resource for individuals navigating government systems or seeking recourse for unfair treatment by state entities. The agency's mission is to improve government effectiveness and responsiveness by receiving public complaints, investigating administrative acts of state agencies, and recommending remedies. It also promotes open government through assistance, education, dispute resolution, and complaint investigation related to public access.

This specific role, Senior Investigator & Child Safety Specialist, will handle a high caseload of complex complaints related to the Department of Child Safety (DCS) and other state agencies. The position involves assisting the public, researching statutes, rules, and policies, and drafting investigative reports. The role requires direct interaction with the public, state legislators, other state officials, agency representatives, and key stakeholders.

Requirements

• Five years of experience working in a child safety and welfare role, or position related to the duties and responsibilities specified in the job description
• Three years of experience researching and reviewing administrative law
• Experience drafting executive-level reports or other written material
• Three years of supervisory experience in a government program
• Bachelor's degree in a related field
• Highly developed verbal communication skills including public speaking
• Advanced research skills (statutory & policy)
• Strong organizational and planning skills
• Advanced conflict resolution skills
• Superior time management skills
• Advanced critical thinking skills
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Coalition-building skills
• Critical listening skills
• Strong writing skills
• Ability to work with individuals in personal stress and crises or confrontational situations as evidenced by the ability to maintain control of an interview and elicit factual information
• Highly capable of evaluating impacts of legislative proposals, rules, and policy on statewide, agency-wide, industry-wide, stakeholder, and member levels
• Superior judgment and a sophisticated sense of discretion in interactions with diverse stakeholders regarding issues that may be complex and confidential
• High aptitude for critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and strategic planning regarding complex systems and policies
• Uphold the Classical Ombudsman characteristics of independence, impartiality, and confidentiality
• Ability to represent the State Ombudsman’s mission, vision, and goals for the office
• Quick to adapt to new information and changing circumstances/priorities
• Maintain a team-oriented, collaborative attitude
• Work independently and with little supervision
• Highly ethical and dependable

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with the Arizona Legislature or working in the government sector
• Direct work experience with the Arizona Department of Child Safety
• Master’s degree in social work, public administration, or related field
• Familiarity with juvenile and family law
• Bilingual: Spanish and English

Responsibilities

• Research federal, state, rules, regulations, and other laws pertinent to the area of assignment to determine if programs are effective and in keeping with applicable guidelines
• Draft notices and reports, including recommendations, on behalf of the State Ombudsman based on research, analysis, and evaluation of investigation to present to agency directors, the Governor, and the Legislature
• Examine and evaluate all available data, analyze results of investigations, and coordinate findings with appropriate administrators and complainants
• Manage a high caseload involving complaints regarding the administrative acts of DCS and other state agencies within the jurisdiction of the office
• Establish, develop, and maintain relationships with legislators, legislative staff, Governor's Office staff, counterparts at other agencies, and stakeholders to facilitate communications regarding the purpose and authority of this office, and when appropriate, to investigate complaints
• Conduct and participate in conferences and workshops, committees, and study groups related to DCS and child welfare
• Maintain timely and courteous communication with complainants and state agency staff during investigations
• Become proficient in DCS case management systems to research case records
• Maintain proper case files by standards set by the State Ombudsman
• Develop training and educational material related to DCS, as needed
• Complete special assignments as directed by management
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance
• Paid time off – earn from 13 to 21 days annually depending on years of service
• Generous health, vision, and dental insurance with spousal and family plans
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) savings retirement plan
• Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Wellness incentive program
• Ten paid holidays per year
• Paid sick leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior