SUBSIDY SUPPORT SPECIALIST

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

21h•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Subsidy Support Specialist. Under general supervision, this position will provide professional child welfare adoption and subsidized guardianship services to pre and post adoption and subsidized guardianship families. The position will identify children appropriate for adoption/guardianship and conduct assessments and home studies to determine the suitability of prospective adoptive homes. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring that children and youth find their forever home. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong communication skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois

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.
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.
Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.

Responsibilities

Serves as Subsidy Support Specialist
Prepares and counsels birth parents and adoptive families regarding placement or conversion to adoption or subsidized guardianship
Prepares and maintains necessary case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services
Maintains case files to ensure the presence of requisite legal documents, including court orders, financial or subsidy agreements, home studies, investigations and background checks, assessments, and diagnostic/medical reports
Responds to informational requests regarding adoption services and shares expertise in adoption with child welfare staff in both public and private delivery systems (i.e., CPS/CWS staff, new workers, Adoption Preservation program staff, etc.
Reviews billings and contracts regarding adoption and guardianship assistance cases for accuracy of information
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)