Child Protection Specialist

State of Illinois•Peoria, AZ

22h•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking organized, professional, and results-oriented individuals to serve as Child Protection Specialists. Under direction, the specialist receives and investigates reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits, assesses children’s immediate safety, and initiates appropriate levels of child protection. The role supports the safety and well-being of children and youth and works with families and service providers. The position prepares and maintains reports, assessments, and case documentation; presents case material for transfer to permanency or intact/prevention caseworkers; coordinates placements in substitute care; participates in multidisciplinary conferences to assess needed services; and transports clients when taking protective custody or arranging or changing placements. The position is based at the Peoria headquarters and has an anticipated hybrid schedule of three to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with overtime, evening and weekend work, and 24-hour on-call availability required as needed.

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.
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.
Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays as appropriate.
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 caseworkers or intact/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 their placement location.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Pension program and retirement packages.
Competitive group insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
Three paid personal business days annually.
Twelve paid sick days annually, with sick days carrying over from year to year.
Ten to 25 days of paid vacation annually, with 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 upon position.
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave.
Deferred Compensation Program 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.
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions.