Social Worker IV

Illinois Department of Human Services; Alton (IL); On-site; USD 7,600 - 12,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Department of Human Services (Alton Mental Health Center) seeks a Social Worker IV to deliver advanced social work services on a forensic unit. The role requires gathering comprehensive clinical information, evaluating complex psycho-social issues, and developing target treatment plans for patients.

The position involves collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, advocacy for patients, and potential court testimony.

Qualifications

• Professional social work experience in adult forensic settings.
• Ability to assess complex psycho-social disorders and develop treatment goals.

Responsibilities

• Perform advanced social work services for adults on a forensic unit.
• Interview patients and families to collect psycho-social data.
• Advocate for patients and coordinate with interdisciplinary teams.
• Serve as qualified examiner for relevant proceedings.
• Act as a liaison to coordinate treatment options and actions.
• Provide mental health resources to direct care staff.
• Perform other duties as assigned within scope.

Job description

Location: Alton, Illinois, 62002

Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services

Job Requisition ID: 57628

Opening Date: 9/17/2026

Closing Date: 9/30/2026

Salary: Anticipated Salary: $7,602 - $11,605 per month ($91,224 - $139,260 per year)

County: Madison

Number of Vacancies: 3

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 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

Alton Mental Health Center is seeking to hire a Social Worker IV to perform professional social work services involving the advanced application of social work principles and practices. This candidate has the ability to gather comprehensive clinical information, assess, evaluate, and document complex emotional and psycho-social disorders, communicate an understanding of a wide-range of patient problems, develop treatment goals and objectives, and implement appropriate treatment interventions for patients on a forensic unit. Candidate will advocate for their patients and act as a resource to members of the treatment team. Candidate will interview and communicate with patients and their natural supports. Candidate will work closely with multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary teams to facilitate the course of treatment for their assigned case load. Candidate will testify in court proceedings regarding patients.

Essential Functions

• Performs professional social work services involving the advanced application of social work principles, techniques, and evaluations, as well as clinically sophisticated diagnostic recognition and implementation of appropriate treatment interventions of adults on a forensic unit manifesting complex emotional and psycho-social disorders.
• Interviews patients, family members and/or significant others to obtain pertinent psycho-social data to identify, evaluate and develop treatment goals and objectives.
• Serves as an advocate for patients and resource for other members of the treatment team.
• Serves as qualified examiner.
• Serves as a patient liaison to coordinate and recommend varied courses-of-action to an interdisciplinary team related to treatment concerns.
• Serves as a mental health resource for non-professional direct care staff.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to physically restrain patients as necessary to prevent injury to patient and others.
• Requires the ability to obtain and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
• Requires the ability to stoop, bend, lift or exert up to 20 pounds of force in performance of job duties.
• Requires the ability to physically access various worksites throughout the hospital for administrative and clinical duties.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties.
• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.

All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job descri