Social Worker IV

HCCSTL; Alton (IL); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 139,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Paid vacation

Pension program

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Human Services is looking for a Social Worker IV at Alton Mental Health Center to perform professional social work services. The role involves advanced application of social work principles for patients with complex emotional and psycho-social disorders.

The social worker will be responsible for interviewing patients, advocating for treatment, and coordinating care with interdisciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Requires a master’s degree in Social Work from a recognized college or university.
• Possession of a clinical social worker’s license from the Department of Professional Regulation.
• Three years of supervised post master’s clinical social work practice.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional social work services involving advanced application of social work principles.
• Interview patients and family to obtain psycho-social data.
• Advocate for patients and serve as a resource for treatment team members.
• Coordinate treatment recommendations with interdisciplinary teams.
• Testify in court proceedings regarding patients.

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work

Job description

Agency: Illinois Department of Human Services

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

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

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 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.

Minimum Qualifications

• *Requires a master’s degree in Social Work from a recognized college or university supplemented Requires a master’s degree in social work from a recognized school of social work supplemented by three (3) years of supervised post master’s clinical social work practice and possession of a clinical social worker’s license from the Department of Professional Regulation.

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 description.

Work Hours

Various shifts, see below:

(1 vacancy) 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, 1-hour unpaid lunch; D Unit

(2 vacancies) 8:00am - 4:30pm, Monday-Friday, 1-hour unpaid lunch; E Unit

Division of Behavioral Health & Recovery

Alton Mental Health Center

Medical Services – Social Work Department - Forensic D and E Units

The Illinois Department of Human Services serves families in need all across Illinois. Our mission is providing equitable access to social services, supports, programs and resources to enhance the lives of all who we serve. We are committed to the core values of Human Dignity, Equity, Community, Urgency, Transparency and Kindness.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• 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 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)


• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility


• 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