Child Protection Specialist
About The Position
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking 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 placements and services; and transporting clients in specified circumstances. The position is based at 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County, and is a union position subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. Overtime may be requested or required, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, and the role requires the ability to work evenings, weekends, and in a 24-hour on-call capacity.
Requirements
- A master's degree in social work; or a master's degree in a related human service field, including 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, including 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 a social work degree program must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
- Ability to pass a background check.
- Physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
- Ability to work overtime, including evenings and weekends, and in a 24-hour on-call capacity.
Nice To Haves
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Strong leadership and communication capabilities.
Responsibilities
- Serve as a Child Protection Specialist.
- Prepare and maintain a variety of reports, assessments, and case documentation.
- Select, summarize, and present case material for transfer to a permanency caseworker or 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, and 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
- 3 paid personal business days annually
- 12 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
- 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 in Chicago
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
