Child Protection Specialist
State of Illinois•Peoria, IL
•$6,460 - $9,337•Hybrid
About The Position
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hiring Child Protection Specialists to receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits. Under direction, the specialist assesses children’s immediate safety and initiates appropriate levels of child protection. The role supports the safety and welfare of children and youth and involves working with children, families, and service providers.
Requirements
- 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 or master’s degree must be from an accredited college or university; a social work degree program must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays as 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.
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 permanency, intact, or prevention caseworkers.
- 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 reasonably within the scope of the listed responsibilities.
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 carryover from year to year
- 10–25 days of paid vacation 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 upon position
- 12 weeks of paid parental leave
- Deferred compensation 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
