DEFERRED ASSIGNMENT CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

4d•$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 investigate 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 services. The role supports the safety and well-being of children and families and includes preparing case materials for transfer to permanency, intact, or prevention caseworkers.

Requirements

A master’s degree in social work is preferred.
Alternatively, a master’s degree in a related human service field, criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement, plus one year of directly related professional experience.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in social work plus one year of directly related professional experience.
Alternatively, a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement, plus 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.
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.

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 a permanency caseworker or an 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 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
Ten to twenty-five paid vacation days annually, with ten days in the first year of employment
Thirteen paid holidays annually, and fourteen in even-numbered years
Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on 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/apprenticeship benefits for qualifying veterans
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions
Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees