Investigator - San Tan Valley Arizona
- Department of Child Safety
- San Tan Valley, AZ, USA
- Aug 18, 2026
Job Description
INVESTIGATOR
Office of Child Welfare Investigations
1355 S Clearview Ave., Mesa, AZ 85209
Work will be conducted throughout the East Valley and Pinal County
Hourly Salary: $29.0866
Grade: 20
As a Child Welfare Investigative Specialist, you'll lead high-impact investigations into serious allegations of child abuse or neglect. You'll conduct home visits, interview families, partner with law enforcement, and document your findings to support child safety.
Working within an OCWI unit, you'll have support while exercising independent judgment throughout each case, following county join-investigation protocols from start to finish. If you're driven, detail-oriented, and passionate about making a difference, this role offers the chance to create real, lasting impact for children and families.
- Assesses, responds to and conducts investigations in conjunction with internal and external stakeholders involving allegations of criminal conduct child abuse or criminal neglect of Arizona's children which have resulted in serious injury or death of a child. Accompanies Department of Child Safety Specialist on investigations, which are anticipated to be unusually difficult and may at time become confrontational.
- Conducts and documents interviews, prepares reports for management, makes entries into the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System.
- Testifies in court regarding OCWI investigations
- Attends unit meetings, high profile staffing, multidisciplinary meetings, Team Decision Meetings and fatality review meetings as determined by case and business needs.
- Performs other duties appropriate to the assignment
Knowledge of:
- 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
Skill in:
- 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 an investigations
- Strong verbal and written communication
- Preparing reports
- Working with diverse groups and individuals
Ability to:
- Conduct a high profile, complex and sensitive investigations
- 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
- Maintain a high level of self-direction and responsibility
Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement/Detective/Investigative experience specializing in crimes again children and sex crimes
• Eighteen (18) months Law enforcement experience; AND/OR
• Eighteen (18) months of experience as an Investigative DCS Specialist with AZ 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.
Must be able to obtain and maintain a valid Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card and clearance of 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. 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).
The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
- Affordable medical, dental, life, and short-term disability insurance plans
- Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
- 10 paid holidays per year
- Vacation time accrued at 4:00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
- Sick time accrued at 3:42 hours bi-weekly
- Deferred compensation plan
- Wellness plans
By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.
Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page
Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.
Leaders in Child Protection | Partners in Child Well-Being
The Arizona Department of Child Safety is charged with child protection, but we also serve as a visionary leader in primary prevention, partnering with other family-serving agencies and community organizations to improve community health and strengthen families.