Child Protection Specialist Floater

State of Illinois•Peoria, AZ

11d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results-oriented Child Protection Specialist Floater. Under direction, the specialist receives and investigates reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits, assesses children’s immediate safety, and initiates appropriate child protection measures. The floater serves field offices across the sub-region. This is a union position subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. The position is headquartered at 2001 NE Jefferson Ave, Peoria, Illinois. The listed work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The anticipated hybrid schedule may require three to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. The role requires travel and may include overnight stays, overtime, evening and weekend work, and 24-hour on-call availability.

Requirements

A master’s degree in social work; OR a master’s degree in a related human service field, criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one year of directly related professional experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience; OR a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two years of directly related professional experience.
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees must be issued by an accredited college or university; social work degree programs must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
Ability to travel for work, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Appropriate, valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
Ability to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime; evenings and weekends; and in a 24-hour on-call capacity.

Nice To Haves

Excellent organizational skills.
Strong communication skills.
Passion for children and interest in ensuring the safety of children and youth.

Responsibilities

Receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits.
Assess the immediate safety of children and initiate appropriate levels of child protection.
Serve field offices of the sub-region in a floater capacity.
Prepare and maintain reports, assessments, and case documentation.
Select, summarize, and present case material for transfer to a permanency caseworker or intact/prevention caseworker.
Determine the need for and coordinate placement of children in substitute care facilities.
Attend multidisciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services.
Transport clients when taking protective custody, placing them in substitute care, or changing their placement location.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Pension program.
Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
Three paid personal business days annually.
Twelve paid sick days annually, with sick days carrying over from year to year.
10–25 days of paid vacation annually, including 10 days in the first year of employment.
13 paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years.
Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on the position.
12 weeks of paid parental leave.
Deferred Compensation Program, a supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan.
Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
GI Bill training/apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans.
5% salary differential for bilingual positions.