Program Specialist - Team Decision Making Facilitator

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.

Job Location: 1860 N. 95th Lane, Phoenix, AZ 85037

Posting Details: Salary: $27.81 hourly / $57,850 annually | Grade: 20 | Closing Date: 6/18/2026

Under the general guidance of the Team Decision Making (TDM) Supervisor, the TDM Facilitator engages families in facilitated discussions and decisions regarding the safety, stability, and permanency of a child at critical points in a case.

Prepares for, coordinates, and facilitates TDM meetings; schedules meetings based on the availability of the family and their supports; ensures fidelity to the TDM model by engaging participants, charting discussion, and documenting decision outcomes to ensure safety, stability, and permanency of a child; completes TDM summary report to distribute to meeting participants and upload into Guardian. Provides education to regional staff, contracted providers, and other community members regarding the TDM program and related policies and procedures;

supports the training and mentoring of new facilitators through the on-boarding process; participates in continued training.

Tracks and inputs TDM data; builds relationships with regional staff to understand the strengths and opportunities of the TDM service delivery within local offices; takes and/or communicates needed actions to address opportunities for improvement within the TDM program. Travels within region, county and state as needed to fulfill job functions.

• Federal and state laws/statutes related to child protection.
• State and department policies, procedures and standards related to child protection.
• SAFE AZ, Protective Factors Framework, and Practice Guidelines.
• Family centered practice concepts.
• Arizona's Team Decision Making model.
• Community resources available to support safety, stability and permanency.
• Relevant computer software products such as Microsoft Office.

• Engaging others in a group setting.
• Written and verbal communication.
• Facilitating group discussions and decisions.
• Decision making and conflict resolution.
• Applying the principles of safety science and culture of safety.
• Problem identification and solutions.
• Creative and critical thinking.

• Open discussions effectively, clarify the current situation, remain open to all perspectives.
• Remain focused on resolutions and close the discussions with clear summaries.
• Apply complex practice related circumstances to the SAFE AZ Model.
• Create and foster a safe work culture.
• Make independent decisions.
• Work after hours and on weekends when needed.
• Establish and maintain relationships.
• Travel statewide.

The ideal candidate will possess education or training in child welfare or social work, demonstrate knowledge of Arizona’s Team Decision Making (TDM) model, be bilingual, and have the flexibility to travel as required to meet program needs.

Master's or Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university OR

Three (3) years of combined experience in any combination of DCS Specialist Trainee, DCS Specialist, or Investigator Senior roles.

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

Must be able to secure and maintain clearance from the DCS Central Registry.

Must be able to secure and maintain an Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation that includes ten holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave – up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Competitive health and…