DCS INTAKE SPECIALIST* - 11212025-73098

Job Information

LOCATION OF (10) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, CHILD ABUSE HOTLINE DIVISION, DAVIDSON COUNTY

This is a DCS Intake Specialist position for the Child Abuse Hotline in the Statewide Child Investigative and Referral Unit. This position can potentially sit in any county across the state.

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree. Experience equivalent to one year of full-time professional work providing child welfare services including, but not limited to, one or a combination of the following: social, psychological, or correctional counseling or case management; volunteer services coordination for a children's service program; and/or juvenile classification coordination.

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a master's degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, or related field of study.

Necessary Special Qualifications: Applicants for this class must:

1. Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application;
2. Be a citizen of the United States;
3. Possess a valid driver's license prior to and during employment;
4. Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
5. Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
6. Have no conviction for a felony;
7. Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointment authority;
8. Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check.
9. Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.
10. Ability to work nights, evenings, weekends and/or holidays as needed.
11. Ability to work remotely or physical office location. To work remotely, must have access to a private and confidential workspace and access to hardwired internet services.
12. Ability to manually type 40 wpm or higher.

Overview

A person in this classification is assigned to work in a crisis-oriented call center and independently demonstrates skills to conduct an investigatory intake of alleged child abuse and neglect and to appropriately assess the situation to determine next steps to immediately address child safety and risk concerns. This class differs from the DCS Intake Associate* in that the latter functions at the trainee level.

Responsibilities

1. Receives referrals of alleged child abuse and neglect from a variety of callers including but not limited to the general public and various community partners such as law enforcement, medical personnel, and school officials.
2. Appropriately assesses information provided to determine line of questioning and utilizes various follow-up and clarifying questions for investigatory purposes. Documents findings in a written initial child abuse and neglect intake report.
3. Utilizes active listening skills and communicate in a customer focused manner with callers in what may be a sensitive and/or highly stressful situation. Demonstrates the ability to be patient and flexible with the callers while staying focused on each interview task.
4. Ensures all information is accurately captured in the DCS electronic intake database. Utilizes the DCS electronic intake database and ensures due diligence to conduct a search for prior DCS involvement with the child/family.
5. Maintains up-to-date knowledge and demonstrates the ability to explain the child abuse and neglect reporting and case assignment process within DCS to referents and accurately answer questions and provide information.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competences:

1. Customer Focus
2. Action Oriented
3. Communicates Effectively
4. Interpersonal Savvy
5. Situational Adaptability

Knowledge:

1. Administration and Management
2. Customer and Personal Service
3. Public Safety and Security
4. English Language

Skills:

1. Active Learning and Listening
2. Complex Problem Solving
3. Critical Thinking
4. Judgment and Decision Making
5. Social Perceptiveness

Abilities:

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Problem Sensitivity
4. Written Comprehension

Tools & Equipment

1. Laptop
2. Headsets
3. Computer Accessories