CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental/Vision insurance

Paid Personal Days

Paid Sick Days

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Flexible Work Schedules

Paid Parental Leave

Deferred Compensation

Pre-Tax Programs

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Job summary

The State of Illinois' Department of Children and Family Services seeks a Child Protection Specialist in Chicago to protect children and strengthen families through thorough casework and reporting. Requires a master's degree in social work (or related field) and relevant experience; this is a union, salaried position with comprehensive benefits and a strong focus on service to the community.

Work hours vary; HQ is at 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, IL 60616, in Cook County, with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work preferred or related human service field.
• One year of directly related professional experience if degree is in related field.
• Bachelor's degree in social work with one year of related professional experience.
• Bachelor's degree in a related field with two years of related professional experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.

Skills

Master's degree in social work

Related human service field experience

Education

Master's degree in social work

Master's degree in related field (human services/criminal justice)

Bachelor's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree in related 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.

Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: CHILD PROTECTION SPEC - 07163
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6460/month; Full Range $6460 - $ 9337/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, 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.

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.

About The Agency

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:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits includling 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
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago Only)

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

Essential Functions

• 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.
• 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• Preferably requires a master's degree in social work;
• OR requires a master's degree in a related human service field, incriminal 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 abachelor's degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement andtwo 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 workmust be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
• Requires ability to pass a background check.
• 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, includingscheduled, 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 to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: SU-W 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Headquarter Location: 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60616
Work County: Cook

(Questions Only)
Supervisor: Vacant
Posting Group: Social Services

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