Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialist

State of Illinois•Sterling, VA

6d•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 and neglect within mandated time limits. The role assesses children’s immediate safety and initiates appropriate child protection measures. Specialists prepare and maintain reports, assessments, and case documentation; coordinate children’s placement in substitute care when needed; and transfer case material to permanency or intact/prevention caseworkers. The position also involves attending multidisciplinary conferences and transporting clients in specified circumstances. This is a permanent, full-time State of Illinois position. The anticipated starting salary is $6,460 per month, with a full salary range of $6,460 to $9,337 per month. The position is based in Sterling, Illinois, with a hybrid work schedule potentially available one 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, evening and weekend work, and 24-hour on-call availability may also be required.

Requirements

One of the following education and experience combinations is required: a master’s degree in social work; 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; a bachelor’s degree in social work plus 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 plus two years of directly related professional experience.
The college or university issuing the degree must be accredited, and 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.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires 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 assess reports of alleged child abuse and 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 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 insurance benefits, including 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 on the position
Twelve 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 and apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions
Commuter savings program for Chicago employees