Child Protection Specialist - Spanish Speaking
About The Position
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a bilingual Child Protection Specialist. Under direction, this position will receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect intakes within mandated time limits. The position assesses the immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of child protection needed. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring the safety of children and youth. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong communication skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.
Requirements
- Requires the ability to speak and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.
- Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
- Requires appropriate, 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.
- Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends. This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour "on call" capacity.
Nice To Haves
- Preferably requires a master's degree in social work;
- Requires a master's degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one (1) year of directly related professional experience;
- Requires a bachelor's degree in social work and one (1) year of directly related professional experience;
- Requires a bachelor's degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two (2) 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)
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
