Child Protection Specialist

State of Illinois • Freeport, NY

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hiring an organized, professional, and results-oriented Child Protection Specialist to help protect children by strengthening and supporting families. The role includes preparing and maintaining reports, assessments, and case documentation; coordinating child placements and services; and translating and interpreting for Spanish-speaking clients. The position is based at 1826 S West Ave, Freeport, Illinois, and has an anticipated hybrid schedule of 1 to 5 days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; overtime, evenings, weekends, and 24-hour on-call availability may also be required. This is a union position subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

• Preferably a master's degree in social work; alternatively, 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.
• Alternatively, a bachelor's degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience.
• Alternatively, 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.
• The college or university issuing the bachelor's or master's degree must be accredited; a social work degree program must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Ability to speak and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.
• Travel is required; must have a valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Must complete a background check and disclose criminal history.
• Must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
• Must be able to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime; evenings and weekends; and in a 24-hour on-call capacity.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a Child Protection Specialist.
• Prepare and maintain reports, assessments, and case documentation.
• Select, summarize, and present case material for transfer to a permanency caseworker or intact/prevention caseworker.
• Translate and interpret orally and in writing for Spanish-speaking clients regarding available services and completion of forms.
• 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, and changing their placement location.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.

Benefits

• Pension program
• Competitive group health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• 3 paid personal business days annually
• 12 paid sick days annually, with unused days carrying over from year to year
• 10–25 paid vacation days annually, with 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 position
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax medical care and dependent care assistance plans
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill training/apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
• 5% salary differential for bilingual positions
• Commuter savings program (Chicago only)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level