Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialist

State of Illinois • Galesburg, IL

2d • 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 and neglect within mandated time limits. Under direction, the specialist assesses children’s immediate safety and initiates appropriate levels of child protection. The position offers an opportunity to support the safety and well-being of children and youth and their families.

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 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.
• The college or university awarding a 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, as well as evenings, weekends, and a 24-hour on-call capacity.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Receive and investigate 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 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 insurance benefits, including health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• 3 paid personal business days annually
• 12 paid sick days annually, with sick days carrying over from year to year
• 10–25 days of paid vacation annually, with 10 days in the first year of employment
• 13 paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years
• Flexible work schedules when available and dependent upon the position
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave
• Deferred Compensation Program supplemental retirement plan
• Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan
• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time