Child Protection Specialist

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid personal days

Sick leave

Vacation time

Paid holidays

Flexible work schedules

Parental leave

Public service loan forgiveness

GI Bill benefits

Bilingual differential

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking organized professionals to serve as Child Protection Specialists in Champaign/Urbana. Under direction, you will receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect, assess safety, and initiate protection measures.

DCFS offers benefits and a pension program. Ideal candidates have strong organizational and communication skills, and a commitment to protecting children and families.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social work or related field required; accredited program.
• One year of related professional experience with a bachelor’s degree; two years with a related degree.
• Bachelor’s degree programs must be accredited; CSWE accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

• Investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect within mandated time limits.
• Assess safety of children and initiate appropriate protection.
• Prepare reports, assessments and case documentation for transfer or permanency planning.
• Coordinate placement actions and transportation related to protective custody.
• Attend interdisciplinary conferences to determine needed services.

Skills

Organizational skills

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in social work

Master's degree in related human service field

Bachelor's degree in social work + 1 year experience

Bachelor's degree in related field + 2 years experience

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:58602Opening Date: 09/10/2026Closing Date: 09/24/2026Agency: Department of Children and Family ServicesClass Title:CHILD PROTECTION SPEC - 07163Skill Option:NoneBilingual Option:NoneSalary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,768/ month; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337/ monthJob Type: SalariedCategory:Full TimeNumber of Vacancies: 4Bargaining Unit Code:RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCMEPUCs: 90682337, 90682334, 90691788Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PMAnticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needsHeadquarter Location: 508 S Race St, Urbana, Illinois, 61801Work County: ChampaignAgency Contact: [e-mail]

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.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking organized, professional, and results oriented individuals to serve as Child Protection Specialists. 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.

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/preventioncaseworker.
• 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, 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.

Conditions of Employment

• 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.

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 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

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

Nearest Major Market: Champaign
Nearest Secondary Market: Urbana