CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

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Job Requisition ID: 55343 Opening Date: 05/27/2026 Closing Date: 06/10/2026 Agency: Department of Children and Family Services Job Title: Child Protection Specialist Class Title: CHILD PROTECTION SPEC - 07163 Skill Option: None Bilingual Option: None Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (Effective 7/1/26) $6,767/month; Full Range $6,767 - $9,336/month Job Type: Salaried Category: Full Time County: Cook Number of Vacancies: 2 Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME Merit Comp Code: 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. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UPLOAD COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS AND RESUME. Position Overview The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Child Protection Specialist. Under direction, this position will receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect within mandated time limits. The position assesses the immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of child protection needed. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring the safety 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 Child Protection Specialist Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, assessments, and case documentation Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or intact/prevention caseworker Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above Minimum Qualifications Preferably requires a master's degree in social work Requires 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 Requires a bachelor's degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience Requires 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 Directly related professional casework or case management experience related to family preservation, family reunification, adoption, youth development, counseling and advocacy services or a related field 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 About the Agency DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus. This position DOES NOT “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs). Benefits 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 Requires travel, a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance Requires ability to pass a background check Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends. This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour “on call” capacity The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description #J-18808-Ljbffr State-of-Illinois