Child Welfare Specialist

About the Role

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Intact Services Specialist. Under general supervision, this position will provide experienced, short term, intense child welfare casework services to intact families in high risk categories. The position will review and evaluate safety and risk factors impacting child safety so that children may remain at home, avoiding separation and/or placement. Translates and interprets, both orally and in writing, for Spanish speaking clients regarding services available and the proper completion of forms.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Intact Services Specialist
• Provides follow up to parents and families to ensure appropriate linkages have been made with service providers
• Provides immediate oversight to families who are requesting non-investigatory prevention services and provides referral services to neighborhood/community resources
• Prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services
• Works with other Departmental units to facilitate positive outcomes and provision of services for non-child abuse/neglect matters, including prevention services, dependencies, court supervision, runaways, etc.
• Translates and interprets, both orally and in writing, for Spanish speaking clients regarding services available and the proper completion of forms
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Qualifications

• Requires a master's degree in social work from a graduate school of social work recognized or accredited by the Council on Social Work Education
• Requires possession of a valid State of Illinois Certified Child Welfare Professional (CWP) credential from the Illinois Certification Board or possession of a valid State of Illinois Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) license
• Requires the ability to pass a background check and fingerprinting
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with appropriate reimbursement by the agency
• Requires ability to work with the public, community and governmental bodies, and service providers in the delivery of services to children and families
• Requires the ability to work with families and children who have been abused, neglected or have high risk factors and to interview alleged perpetrators, victims and families
• Requires the ability to testify in court
• Requires the ability to utilize various computer systems and applications
• Requires the ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form
• Requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, families, service providers, community and governmental bodies, and co-workers
• Requires bilingual skills in Spanish and English, both oral and written

Pay & Schedule

• Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 monthly; Full Range $6,460-$9,337 monthly
• Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM
• Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
• Headquarter Location: Sterling - 2607 Woodlawn Rd

Agency Contact: tiffany.norton@illinois.gov