FOSTER HOME LICENSING SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision of the Foster Home Licensing Supervisor, completes the required assessment to ensure that families meet DCFS licensing standards and are prepared to care for children; coordinates with other units and staff, including the Office of Professional Development, caseworkers, investigators, recruiters, and foster parent support specialists; provides support and strengthens Department relationships with foster parents; monitors licensed foster or adoptive homes to ensure the home is in compliance with licensing standards; consults with DCFS staff and C&A LAN’s with recommendations about the selection of foster family resources that will best meet the needs of children; maintains client records in accordance with Department rule, procedure, and accreditation standards, monitoring to ensure that all documentation from other Department sources has been included.

Requirements

Preferably requires a master’s degree in social work; or a master’s degree in a related human service field, supplemented by one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience; or requires a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field and two years of directly related professional casework/case management experience; requires possession of a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance; requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
The college or university issuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
The directly related professional casework/case management experience must be related to family preservation, family reunification, adoption, youth development, counseling, and advocacy services or a related field.

Responsibilities

Completes the required assessment to ensure that families meet DCFS licensing standards
Coordinates with other units and staff, including the Office of Professional Development, caseworkers, investigators, recruiters, and foster parent support specialists
Consults with DCFS staff and C&A LAN’s with recommendations about the selection of foster family resources that best meet the needs of children
Conducts investigations relative to complaints about licensed foster/adoptive homes in accordance with the Childcare Act
Provides/maintains reports, statistics, records and documentation of activities on a monthly basis or as needed
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
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)