PERMANENCY SPECIALIST
State-of-Illinois
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Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
State of Illinois is seeking a Child Welfare Specialist to supervise permanency planning and work with families and children in home or substitute care. The role requires strong organizational and leadership abilities, with a competitive benefits package and potential for upward mobility.
The position is housed within the Department of Children and Family Services, with a salary range of $6,460 to $9,337 monthly and a comprehensive benefits program including health, life, dental, vision
Qualifications
- Master's degree in social work preferred.
- Related master's degree combined with profession-al casework/case management experience acceptable.
- Bachelor's degree in social work with 1 year related experience required.
- Bachelor's degree in a related human service field with 2 years related experience accepted.
- All degrees must be accredited and program approved by relevant authorities.
Responsibilities
- Serves as Permanency Specialist.
- Works with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care.
- Conducts interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for diagnosis and development of treatment plans.
- Transports clients when taking protective custody or placing them in substitute care.
- Prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services.
Education
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
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 CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.
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.
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:58179
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 09/01/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title:CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST - 07218
Skill Option:UMP Credential
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460 monthly; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337 monthly.
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
County: Stephenson
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.
Supervisor: Tanya Sarrels
Agency Contact: Deneen Locke (For Questions Only)
Email: Deneen.Locke@illinois.gov
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).
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.
The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as the Child Welfare Specialist. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a generous pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership and communication capabilities. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.
- Serves as Permanency Specialist.
- 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.
- Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location.
- Prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services.
- Participates in case staffings to facilitate case transfer and participates in multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
- 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 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 related field.
- This title is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.
- 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.
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)
- 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
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