Child Protective Services

ob Posting: DCS Specialist – Intake

Are you ready to be the first line of defense for children in our community?

The Department of Child Safety (DCS) is seeking dedicated, resilient, and detail-oriented professionals to join our Intake team. As a DCS Specialist – Intake , you are the critical point of contact for reports of alleged child abuse and neglect. This isn’t just a call center job; it is a high-stakes role requiring sharp clinical judgment, empathy, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

The Role

Your primary mission is to screen concerns of child maltreatment and determine if they meet the statutory criteria for a DCS investigation. You will conduct comprehensive interviews, gather vital information, and document findings with precision and professionalism.

Key Responsibilities:

• Critical Screening: Conduct phone interviews to gather facts regarding alleged abuse/neglect and determine if they meet legal investigative criteria.
• Professional Documentation: Write high-quality, qualitative narratives and perform detailed data entry in real-time.
• Inter-Agency Collaboration: Cross-report criminal offenses to law enforcement and coordinate with tribal, county, and state agencies.
• Public Service: Respond to the public with a judgment-free, unbiased approach, ensuring all voices are heard and documented accurately.
• Technical Proficiency: Utilize advanced call center applications and the department’s management system via laptop/desktop.

What You Bring

Knowledge & Expertise:

• Deep understanding of Federal and State child protection laws .
• Familiarity with child development stages and the impacts of substance abuse, mental health, and poverty on family dynamics.
• Knowledge of the behavioral indicators of abuse and neglect.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Teams) and call center software.

Skills & Abilities:

• Active Listening: The ability to hear what is being said (and what isn’t) during high-stress calls.
• Decisiveness: Making crucial, time-sensitive decisions independently and accurately.
• Multitasking: Performing complex interviews while simultaneously documenting information in a database.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Demonstrating respect for diverse perspectives, experiences, and parenting cultures.
• Typing: A minimum speed of 45 WPM .

Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Experience: At least one (1) year of experience in social services or behavioral health.
• Resilience: Ability to work on-site in a busy, emotionally charged call center environment.
• Flexibility: Must be able to work in excess of 40 hours when needed (including nights, weekends, and holidays).

Shift Information

We are currently hiring for the following schedules:

• Thursday to Monday: 12:30 PM – 9:00 PM
• Thursday to Monday: 1:00 PM – 9:30 PM