DEFERRED ASSIGNMENT CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

State of Illinois • Sterling, IL

7d • $6,460 - $9,337 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hiring Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialists to receive and assess reports of alleged child abuse or neglect within mandated time limits. Under direction, the specialist assesses children’s immediate safety and initiates appropriate child protection measures. The role supports the safety and well-being of children and youth and involves coordinating case-related services and placements.

Requirements

• A 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 and master’s degrees must be from an accredited college or university; social work degree programs must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• 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.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime; ability to work evenings and weekends and in a 24-hour on-call capacity is required.

Responsibilities

• Receive and assess 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 materials 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, or changing placement locations.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the role.

Benefits

• Pension program
• Group health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• 3 paid personal business days annually
• 12 paid sick days annually, with carryover
• 10–25 days of paid vacation annually (10 days in the first year)
• 13 paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years
• Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on position
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax medical care and dependent care assistance plans
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level