Job Board

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations throughout the hiring process and during performance of all job duties. Please email the Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524 - 7514 for further information and to request an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment
The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status). To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information
In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Date: Jun 23, 2022
Location: Springfield, IL, US, 62702-7301
Job Requisition ID: 16844
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Closing Date/Time: 07/08/2022
Salary: $4,793 to $7,089 - Monthly (Anticipated Starting Salary $4,793)
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC063

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 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 (see instructions below).

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

Your resume, official transcripts, licenses, along with any other supporting documents, can be uploaded when applying and is strongly suggested.

Posting Identification # 16844

This title is subject to the Upward Mobility Program.

Job Responsibilities
Under general supervision, provides experienced professional casework services to children and families; determines the need and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities; establishes goals for children and parents; coordinates the development of a comprehensive, family-centered, culturally relevant assessment of children and families; works with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care; conducts interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans; counsels on available concrete and supportive services and available therapeutic services and provides same; implements service plans with families; prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating 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.

1. Provides experienced professional casework services to children and families; determines the need and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities; provides recommendations and testifies in court as to client history and future plans of client behavior; provides assistance in the preparation of witnesses for testifying and prepares studies ordered by the court; participates in the administrative case review process; informs clients of their appeal rights and procedures and assists clients in the initiation of appeal rights; establishes goals for children and parents; prepares reports on progress or lack of progress toward goal; coordinates the development of a comprehensive, family-centered, culturally relevant assessment of children and families; maintains ongoing assessment of needs and strengths; evaluates the progress of the family toward attainment of minimum parenting standards, as well as the effectiveness and appropriateness of utilized services toward the goals of family preservation, family reunification, or another appropriate permanency outcome for the child; provides feedback to the family regarding progress; 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. Works with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care; develops service plans to address needs of families within agency timeframes; evaluates service delivery and reviews service plans and permanency goals, making changes to meet the needs of the child and family.

(Job Responsibilities continued)

3. Conducts interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans; counsels on available concrete and supportive services and available therapeutic services and provides same; implements service plans with families; provides services directly and/or makes referrals for services; provides support, guidance, and coordination to foster parents and service providers; monitors to ensure appropriate visits occur between parents and children in placements and siblings not placed together; drives to field locations to conduct on-site interviews.

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

5. 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.

6. Prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services; completes various agency forms, including case notes, payment, eligibility, visitation, and court reports; prepares statistical and narrative reports.

7. Participates in case staffings to facilitate case transfer and participates in multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services; provides input into supervisory conferences and consultation with other disciplines for casework planning; obtains information of community and agency resources seeking specialized services for clients; develops and maintains working relationships with community and other state agencies, providing interpretation of agency responsibilities.

8. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Mimimum Requirements

1. 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

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

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
1. Requires a working knowledge of the principles and techniques in the child welfare field.

2. Requires a working knowledge of Department of Children and Family Services rules and regulations covering the child welfare field.

3. Requires knowledge of child growth and development.

4. Requires ability to resolve problems in a calm manner as they arise - often in a hostile environment.

5. Requires ability to prepare complex written and oral reports.

6. Requires the ability to successfully complete agency-sponsored training programs and meet mandated licensure requirements.

7. Requires the ability to satisfactorily pass an in-depth background check as a condition for employment.

8. In addition to having a written and spoken knowledge of the English language, if the position is bilingual, candidates may also be required to speak and write a foreign language at a colloquial skill level in carrying out position duties in conjunction with non-English speaking individuals.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires possession of a valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.

2. Requires the ability to pass a background check.

3. Requires ability to work in a 24 24 hour “on call” capacity.

Physical Requirements

Requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.

Location: 1124 N. Walnut St., Springfield, IL 62702

Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Supervisor: T. Sisk

Agency Contact/

Denise Bean-Mathis

406 E. Monroe, Station 373
Springfield, IL 62701
Phone: 217-524-0275
Fax: 217-524-3970
Email: denise.bean-mathis@illinois.gov

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Permanency Specialist. Under general supervision, this position will provide professional child welfare casework services to children and families, determining the need and coordinating the placement of children in substitute care facilities. Additionally, the position will conduct interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans. The position will utilize Spanish speaking skills in the performance of duties. 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.

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 and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid HERE

Non-State employees: on work.Illinois.gov – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.