Child Social Worker

Maricopa County

. Serve as a key member of the legal team, working closely with attorneys who represent children in dependency, severance, and delinquency matters .

Posted 10/6/2026full-timePhoenix • Arizona • United StatesJunior💰 $25 - $42 per hourWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in child welfare law, case management, and advocacy for children in dependency and delinquency matters. Proficient in assessing and addressing the needs of youth, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and navigating the child protection system.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Child Welfare LawCase ManagementYouth AdvocacyBilingual (English/Spanish)Experience in Child Protection System

ATS Keywords

Tailor your resume

Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills

Social WorkPsychologyChild DevelopmentBehavioral ScienceCaseworkCourt TestimonyAssessment ReviewCrisis InterventionTreatment ModalitiesKnowledge of State/Federal Laws

Soft Skills

CommunicationInterpersonal SkillsAdvocacyEmpathyCollaboration

Certifications & Qualifications

Valid Arizona Driver's License

Industry Keywords

Child Protective ServicesMultidisciplinary MeetingsFoster CareResidential Treatment CentersJuvenile DetentionCommunity ResourcesDevelopmental AssessmentsSubstance Abuse TreatmentFamily AdvocacyPublic Defender Organization

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a key member of the legal team, working closely with attorneys who represent children in dependency, severance, and delinquency matters
Work with child clients, typically ages 8 to 17, and address their specific needs
Meet and communicate with children in juvenile detention facilities, the office, and community placements to discuss their history, services, and needs
Educate children about the court process, case plan, and recommended services
Identify appropriate residential treatment centers, group homes, foster homes, and outpatient treatment programs
Participate in meetings with professionals and stakeholders to obtain current case information
Attend multidisciplinary meetings to advocate for the child's expressed interest and take notes for the attorney
Interpret written, verbal, and nonverbal information and advise professionals and stakeholders on case direction and needed services
Review police reports, evidence photographs, forensic interviews, medical records, psychological and psychiatric evaluations, developmental assessments, counseling records, parent aide reports, educational assessments, substance abuse treatment records, and other potential exhibits
Confer with report authors and others knowledgeable about the child's circumstances
Testify in court as an expert witness as needed
Present information on developmental expectations, childhood trauma, treatment modalities, child welfare law, child protective services policies and procedures, community resources, and current best practices

Requirements

What you’ll need

One year of direct experience within the child protection system as a case worker, family advocate, or social worker
Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Psychology, Child Development, Behavioral or Social Science, or other closely related field
Must possess or have the ability to obtain a valid Arizona driver's license by the time of hire
Position requires visiting children in a variety of settings, including remote areas of the State and potentially dangerous parts of town
Some visits must be made outside of the normal work hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday-Friday
Must pass a pre-employment background and/or fingerprint investigation as required by statute or policy, including drug and alcohol testing requirements for positions designated as safety-sensitive
Master's Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or other closely related field
Two or more years of direct experience working within a child protection system as a case worker, family advocate, or social worker
Casework within a public defender organization, an Arizona criminal justice agency, Arizona court department, or a probation department
Experience applying policies, procedures, and state/federal laws related to child welfare within the state of Arizona
Experience working with youth
Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills

Benefits

Comp & perks

Work with a greater purpose
Tuition reimbursement
Exceptional work-life balance, with hybrid and alternative work schedule options
Opportunities for growth and development within Maricopa County
Low-cost, high-value healthcare for you and your qualifying dependents
Child care benefits, including access to the Maricopa County Kids Club, dedicated to serving Maricopa County families
Paid vacation, sick time, and parental leave
Extensive wellness program, including an incentive
Enrollment in the Arizona State Retirement System, a defined retirement benefit requiring an 11.98% per paycheck contribution rate that includes a 100% employer match on Day 1
Overtime compensation eligibility for hours worked over 40 in the designated work week