CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST
About The Position
This position serves as a Child Protection Specialist within the Department of Children and Family Services. The role involves preparing and maintaining reports, assessments, and case documentation. Specialists select, summarize, and present case material for transfer to permanency or intact/prevention caseworkers. A key aspect of the role includes translating and interpreting for Spanish-speaking clients, both orally and in writing, to explain available services and assist with form completion. The specialist will also determine the need for and coordinate the placement of children in substitute care facilities, attend multi-disciplinary conferences to assess needed services, and transport clients during protective custody, placement changes, or transfers to substitute care. The position also entails performing other duties as required or assigned that fall within the scope of the listed responsibilities.
Requirements
- Requires ability to speak and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.
- Requires travel, a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
- Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
Nice To Haves
- Preferably requires a master’s degree in social work
- A master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one year of directly related professional experience
- A bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience
- A bachelor’s degree in a related human service field in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two years of directly related professional experience.
- The college or university issuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education
Responsibilities
- Serves as Child Protection Specialist
- Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, assessments, and case documentation
- Selects, summarizes and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or intact/prevention caseworker
- Translates and interprets, both orally and in writing, for Spanish Speaking clients regarding services available and the proper completion of forms
- Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities
- Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services
- Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Benefits
- A Pension Program
- Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
- 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
- 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
- Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
- 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
- Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
- Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
- 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)
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
