DEFERRED ASSIGNMENT CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST Job Details | State of Illinois

Illinois Department of Children & Family Services; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 72,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension program

Health insurance

Paid holidays

Paid vacation

Parental leave

Flexible work schedules

Public service loan forgiveness

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking a Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialist to receive and investigate child abuse/neglect intakes within mandated time limits and assess immediate safety. You will determine services and coordinate placement, working with multidisciplinary teams to protect children.

This role offers a unionized, salaried position with hybrid work and a strong benefits package, including a pension and time-off provisions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social work preferred.
• Master’s degree in related human service field (criminal justice, criminal justice administration, or law enforcement) with one year of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in social work with one year of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related human service field with two years of related experience.
• Degrees must be accredited and social work program approved by CSWE.

Responsibilities

• Serves as Deferred Assignment Child Protection Specialist.
• Prepares and maintains reports, assessments, and case documentation.
• Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency or prevention workers.
• Determines the need for and coordinates placement of children in substitute care facilities.
• Attends multi-disciplinary conferences to assess needed services.

Skills

Bilingual

Education

Master's degree in social work

Master's degree in related human service field (criminal justice/criminal justice administration or law enforcement)

Bachelor's degree in social work

Bachelor's degree in related human service field (criminal justice/criminal justice administration or law enforcement)

Job description

DEFERRED ASSIGNMENT CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST

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.

Date: Oct 20, 2026

Location: Springfield, IL, US, 62702

Job Requisition ID: 59565

Opening Date: 10/20/2026

Closing Date: 11/04/2026

Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Class Title: CHILD PROTECTION SPEC - 07163

Skill Option: None

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460/monthly; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337/monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 5

Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME

Merit Comp Code:

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 3 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs

Headquarter Location: 1124 N Walnut St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702

Work County: Sangamon

Agency Contact: Denise.Bean-Mathis @ illinois.gov

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 Deferred Assignment 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 Deferred Assignment 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, 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.
• *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 travel, 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, 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 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 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.

• A Pension Program
• 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
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

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

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