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
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Closing Date/Time: 11/02/2023
Salary: $5,456 – $8,140 Monthly – Anticipated Starting Salary $5,901 Monthly (Step 1)
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Coles
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC062
PIN: 856305
REQ#: 31871
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 SuccessFactors. Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UPLOAD OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS
Position Overview
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Child Protection Investigator. 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.
Job Responsibilities
1. Receives and investigates reports of alleged child abuse/neglect within mandated time limits; assesses immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of child protection needed; drives to conduct home evaluations, observing family situations relating to allegations of child abuse/neglect; interviews clients and professionals to obtain information for purposes of making a finding on the allegations and determining protection and service needs; conducts service assessments; provides information and referral services to community agencies, purchase of service agencies, and the permanency unit; briefly monitors families referred to community services; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments, to ensure that services are provided as mandated by statute and policy.
2. Prepares investigation reports for assessing validity of reports of allegations; completes forms authorizing payment for services provided to clients; prepares other statistical and narrative reports, which include documentation in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System; completes service assessments and opens case records.
(Job Responsibilities continued)
3. Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies; attends supervisory conferences and consults with other disciplines regarding casework planning; makes recommendations for additional follow-up services.
4. Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities; provides recommendations and testifies in court regarding investigative findings.
5. Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services; develops and maintains working relationships with community and other state agencies; explains agency responsibilities to the community.
6. Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location; transports clients to appointments (i.e., court hearings, medical appointments, counseling sessions, police station, etc.) and to necessitate the delivery of client services.
7. 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;
- OR
- Requires a master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement and one year of directly related professional experience;
- OR
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in social work and one 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 years of directly related professional experience.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires possession of a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance
- Requires ability to pass an in-depth background check
- Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties
- Requires ability to serve on 24 hour “on call” duty
Work Hours: 8:30am – 5pm Mon – Fri.
Work Location: 825 18th St Charleston, IL 61920-2940
Supervisor: Stacey East
Agency Contact:
Name: Denise Bean-Mathis
E-mail: denise.bean-mathis@illinois.gov
Phone: 217-524-0275
Job Function: Social Services
This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the work.Illinois.gov homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the work.Illinois.gov homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees [KS(1] and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid HERE [KS(2]
Non-State employees: on work.Illinois.gov – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.