DEFERRED ASSIGNMENT CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST
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 measures. The role offers the opportunity to help ensure the safety of children and youth and support families across Illinois. The position is based at the Lincoln, Illinois headquarters. The anticipated hybrid schedule is three to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with overtime and on-call availability required as conditions of employment. This is a salaried, full-time union position. The anticipated starting salary is $6,460 per month, with a full range of $6,460 to $9,337 per month.
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 issued by an accredited college or university; social work degree programs must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
- Travel is required, along with 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
- Strong organizational skills.
- Strong communication skills.
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, and changing placement locations.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned 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 on position
- Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
- Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
- Optional pre-tax medical care and dependent care assistance plans
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
