Child Protection Specialist - Spanish Speaking

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a bilingual Child Protection Specialist. Under direction, this position will receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect intakes 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. 

• 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.
• Translates and interprets, both orally and in writing, for Spanish speaking clients regarding services available and the proper completion of forms.
• 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.

• Preferably requires a master's degree in social work;

     OR

     requires a master's degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one (1) year of directly related professional experience;

     OR

     requires a bachelor's degree in social work and one (1) year of directly related professional experience;

     OR

     requires a bachelor's degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and two (2) years of directly related professional 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.

• Requires the ability to speak and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, 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.
• 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 any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

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.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• 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)
• 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

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx