CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Joliet, IL

5d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is a union position within the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS). DCFS is committed to the welfare and protection of children by strengthening and supporting families. The role involves investigating reports of child abuse and neglect, preparing reports, coordinating services, and potentially placing children in substitute care. The agency focuses on protecting children through various means, from hotline calls to family reunification, foster care, and adoption.

Requirements

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, 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
A master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one year of directly related professional experience
A bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience
A bachelor’s degree in a related human service field in 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 the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education

Responsibilities

Serves as Child Protection Investigator
Prepares investigation reports for assessing validity of reports of allegations
Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies
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)
Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
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
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)