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 and neglect within mandated time limits. Under direction, the specialist assesses children's immediate safety and initiates appropriate child protection measures. The role supports the safety and well-being of children and families in Illinois. The specialist prepares and maintains reports, assessments, and case documentation; selects, summarizes, and presents case materials for transfer to permanency or intact/prevention caseworkers; determines the need for and coordinates placement in substitute care; attends multidisciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services; and transports clients during protective custody, substitute-care placement, or placement changes. Other reasonably related duties may be assigned. This is a permanent, full-time, salaried union position with the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The anticipated starting salary is $6,460 per month, with a full range of $6,460–$9,337 per month. The headquarters is at 2920 N Oakland Ave, Decatur, Illinois. The anticipated hybrid schedule is three to five days per week in the office, depending on operational needs.
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.
- Bachelor's or master's degrees must be issued by an accredited college or university; 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
- A master's degree in social work is preferred.
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 permanency caseworkers or intact/prevention caseworkers.
- 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, or changing their placement location.
- Perform other duties 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 carryover from year to year
- 10–25 days of paid vacation annually, including 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 on position
- 12 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/apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
- 5% salary differential for bilingual positions
- Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
