Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialist

State of Illinois • Macon, GA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hiring Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialists to receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits. Under direction, specialists assess children’s immediate safety and initiate appropriate child protection measures. The position supports the safety and well-being of children and youth and works with families and agency colleagues.

This is a permanent, full-time, salaried union position offered through an expedited hiring process. The position is based at 2920 N Oakland Ave, Decatur, Illinois, with a hybrid schedule that may require three to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. Regular work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; overtime may be required, including evenings, weekends, and 24-hour on-call availability. The role requires travel and transporting clients.

The anticipated starting salary is $6,460 per month, with a full salary range of $6,460 to $9,337 per month. The agency offers a competitive compensation plan, benefits, and a pension program.

Requirements

• A master’s degree in social work is preferred.
• 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 is required.
• Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience is required.
• 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 is required.
• 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.
• Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Must be able to pass a background check.
• Requires 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 a 24-hour on-call capacity.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent organizational skills.
• Strong communication skills.
• Passion for helping 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.
• Prepare and maintain reports, assessments, and case documentation.
• Select, summarize, and present case material for transfer to a permanency caseworker or an 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 placement location.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the listed duties.

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 unused sick days carrying over from year to year.
• 10–25 days of paid vacation annually, including 10 days in the first year of employment.
• Thirteen paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years.
• Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on position.
• Twelve 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 and apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans.
• Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions.
• Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees.

What This Job Offers

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