PERMANENCY ACHIEVEMENT SPECIALIST

Job Requisition ID: 56441
Opening Date: 06/01/2026
Closing Date: 06/15/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST - 07218 

Working Title: PERMANENCY ACHIEVEMENT SPECIALIST - SPRINGFIELD

Skill Option: UMP Credential 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/26) $6,460/mo; Full Range $6,460/mo - $9,337/mo
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Peoria
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Ilinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Permanency Achievement Specialist.  Under general supervision, this position will provide experienced professional casework services to facilitate the timely achievement of permanency for DCFS children in placement.  This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring the safety and stability of children and youth.  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.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Permanency Achievement Specialist
• Provides professional assistance to casework staff with service emgergencies that could impact permanency, working to ensure that situations are adressed effectively
• Provides linkages between caseworkers, recruitment/resource speclailist, adoptions staff, and community providers to expedite and finalize the permanency process
• Composes and provides reports to Regional Administrator, Area Administrator, and Permanency Supervisors regarding permanency achievement status and permanency issues for cases assigned to respective area or teams
• Provides assistance to permanency staff in understanding permanency data in its applicatoin to achieving timely permanency operatiaons
• Services as liaison with the Division of Quality Assurance regarding efforts to improve permanency outcomes 
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated

Minimum Qualifications

• 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.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
2. Requires ability to pass a background check.
3. Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties
4. The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 1 N Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701
Work County: Sangamon

Supervisor Name: Alisa Collins
Agency Contact: Denise Bean-Mathis
Email: View email address on business.gscc.org
Phone #: View phone number on business.gscc.org
Posting Group: Social Services

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles.  To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).