AGENCIES & INSTITUTIONS SPECIALIST

State-of-Illinois; Naperville (IL); On-site; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance (Family)

Paid personal business days

Paid sick days

Paid vacation

Paid holidays

Flexible work schedules

Parental leave

Deferred compensation

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an Agencies & Institutions Licensing Specialist to conduct licensing studies and reviews of child welfare facilities. You’ll support families and ensure safe environments for children through regulatory oversight.

The ideal candidate will have advanced social work qualifications, strong organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to public service within the Upward Mobility Program.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work or related field with relevant casework experience.
• College accreditation and CSWE approval for social work program.
• Experience in family preservation, reunification, adoption, counseling or advocacy.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Agencies and Institutions Licensing Specialist.
• Plan and conduct licensing orientation for prospective clients.
• Prepare licensing statistics and reports by deadlines.
• Review compliance with behavior management regulations.
• Provide input into administrative hearings on licensing issues.
• Maintain client records per statutes and guidelines.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Bilingual awareness

Education

Master’s degree in social work

Master’s in related human service field

Bachelor’s degree in social work

Bachelor’s degree in related human service field

Job description

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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

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. 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.

Job Requisition ID:57072
Opening Date: 09/11/2026
Closing Date: 09/25/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Title: Child Welfare Specialist (Upward Mobility Program)
Class Title:CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST - 07218
Skill Option:UMP Credential
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 a month; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337 a month
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
County: DuPage
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians 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.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and energetic individual to serve as Agencies & Institutions Licensing Specialist. Under general supervision, this position will conduct and/or provide input into licensing studies, investigations, and reviews of child welfare agencies, child care institutions, maternity centers, group homes, emergency shelters, and secure care facilities. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring that agencies and institutions provide a safe, caring environment for children. 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 Agencies and Institutions Licensing Specialist
• Plans, arranges, and conducts licensing orientation for clients who want to become licensed
• Prepares required licensing statistical reports by their respective deadlines
• Reviews compliance by child care institutions and group homes with behavior management regulations
• Prepares data for and provides input into administrative hearings regarding service and licensing compliance issues and complaints against private agencies, their staff, and/or foster homes
• Maintains client records (to include filing documents as needed) in accordance with federal and state statutes and guidelines, Department rule, procedure, and accreditation standards, monitoring to ensure that all documentation from other Department sources has been included
• Provides input into coordinated reviews of private agencies with the Office of Contract Administration, Agency Performance Teams, and other appropriate monitoring units
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• It is a requirement of this position that you possess 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. 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.

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.

Employment Conditions

• Requires ability to pass a background check.
• Requires travel, a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal 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:

• 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

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Headquarter Location: 1255 Bond St , Naperville, Illinois, 60563
Work County: DuPage

Name: Destiny Wright
Email: [e-mail] (For Questions Only)
Posting Group: Social Services

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles . To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

Nearest Major Market: Naperville
Nearest Secondary Market: Chicago