RECRUITMENT & RESOURCES SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•East St. Louis, IL

6d•$7,602 - $11,110•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is hiring a Social Service Program Planner IV to serve as a Recruitment and Resources Specialist. The position conceptualizes, coordinates, monitors, and develops foster care recruitment for an assigned area, supporting implementation of a localized and targeted foster home recruitment plan. It strengthens Department relationships with foster parents and develops plans to identify local resource needs. The specialist provides Spanish-language interpretation and translation for clients about available services and completing forms, assists casework staff with specialized or problematic service needs, and prepares and analyzes reports and data to inform recruitment plans, placement decisions, and service needs. In partnership with the Office of Contract Administration, the specialist develops contracts to address unmet service needs and maintains knowledge of foster program data analysis and its use in regional and statewide program improvement. Other reasonably related duties may be assigned. The position is based at the Department's East St. Louis headquarters and has an anticipated hybrid schedule of one 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. The role requires travel, including evening and weekend travel, and a valid driver's license. It is a union position subject to the applicable collective bargaining agreement.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of a master's degree.
Two years of progressively responsible professional experience in community organization, social service work, or program planning and development.
Ability to utilize Spanish in the performance of all duties.
Completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Ability to travel in the performance of duties, including evening and weekend travel.
Appropriate, valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Uploading college transcripts and a resume is highly recommended.

Responsibilities

Conceptualize, coordinate, monitor, and develop foster care recruitment for an assigned area, including a locally focused, targeted foster home recruitment plan.
Provide professional support to foster parents and strengthen relationships between foster parents and the Department.
Develop and implement a localized plan to identify resource needs.
Translate and interpret orally and in writing for Spanish-speaking clients regarding available services and completion of forms.
Provide professional assistance and resource development support to casework staff handling specialized or problematic service need cases.
Prepare and maintain reports and analyze data with workers, supervisors, and administrators to support awareness of foster parent recruitment and resource needs and development of recruitment plans.
Work with the Office of Contract Administration to develop contracts for unmet service needs.
Maintain knowledge of foster program data analysis and its application to regional and statewide program improvement.
Perform other reasonably related duties as required or assigned.

Benefits

Pension program and deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan.
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.
Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan.
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.