CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Collinsville, IL

1d•$6,460 - $9,337•Hybrid

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 and support children and families. The role prepares and maintains reports, assessments, and case documentation; summarizes and presents case materials for transfer to permanency or intact/prevention caseworkers; determines and coordinates placements in substitute care facilities; and participates in multidisciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services. The specialist also transports clients in connection with protective custody and placement activities, and performs related duties within the scope of the position. The position is based at 1101 Eastport Plaza Dr, Collinsville, Illinois, and has an anticipated hybrid schedule of two to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. Regular hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends, and the employee must be able to work on call in a 24-hour capacity. The position requires travel, a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, proof of vehicle insurance, and the ability to pass a background check.

Requirements

One of the following education and experience combinations is required: 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; 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.
A master's degree in social work is preferred.
The college or university awarding 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.
Requires travel, a valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Must be able to pass a background check.
Must have the physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
Must be able to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime; evenings and weekends; and in a 24-hour on-call capacity.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in social work.

Responsibilities

Serve as a Child Protection Specialist.
Prepare and maintain 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 the 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 their placement location.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Pension program.
Competitive group health, life, dental, and vision insurance.
Three paid personal business days annually.
Twelve paid sick days annually, with unused 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 supplemental retirement plan.
Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan.
Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Eligibility for GI Bill training and apprenticeship benefits for qualifying veterans.
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions.
Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees.