Child Welfare Specialist/Upward Mobility

Location: 

Chicago, IL, US, 60621

Job Requisition ID:  41148

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.

​Agency :  Department of Children and Family Services

Position Title:  Child Welfare Specialist/Upward Mobility
Closing Date/Time: 09/18/2024
Salary:   Anticipated Starting Salary $ 6,005.00/month Full Salary Range $ 6,005.00 - $ 8,678.00/month
Job Type:   Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County:   Cook
Number of Vacancies:   1  
Plan/BU:   RC063

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UPLOAD COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS AND RESUME

Posting Identification Number 41148

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Permanency Achievement Specialist.  Under general supervision, this position will provide experienced professional casework services to facilitate the timely achievement of permanency for DCFS children in placement.  The position will provide professional assistance to casework staff with service emergencies that could impact permanency, working to ensure that situations are addressed effectively.  This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring that each child achieves permanency in an efficient manner.  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.

Job Responsibilities

1.  Provides experienced professional casework services to facilitate the timely achievement of permanency for DCFS children in placement; provides expert advice and consultation regarding permanency issues; identifies and removes barriers to permanency, working to secure appropriate placements for children; monitors and takes action to complete permanencies with children waiting for reunification or adoption/subsidized guardianship; reviews and analyzes problematic issues to resolve complex and stalled cases and facilitate appropriate outcome; drives to various locations to attend meetings, conferences, etc.

2. Provides professional assistance to casework staff with service emergencies that could impact permanency, working to ensure that situations are addressed effectively; works to secure additional service resources in a timely manner to expedite permanency.

3.  Provides linkages between caseworkers, recruitment/resource specialists, adoptions staff, and community providers to expedite and finalize the permanency process; works to ensure that all necessary actions and reviews have taken place to facilitate positive permanency outcomes.

4.  Composes and provides reports to Regional Administrator, Area Administrators, and Permanency Supervisors regarding permanency achievement status and permanency issues for cases assigned to respective area or teams; reviews and analyzes permanency outcome data with respective workers, supervisors, and administrators to facilitate an understanding and awareness of permanency issues and needs in order to effectively plan and address those needs; prepares and maintains necessary documentation.

5.  Provides assistance to permanency staff in understanding permanency data in its application to achieving timely permanency outcomes.

6.  Serves as liaison with the Division of Quality Assurance regarding efforts to improve permanency outcomes; maintains a high level of knowledge regarding permanency data analysis and its application to program improvement on a regional and statewide level.

7.  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 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 of 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 a related field.

Conditions of Employment

1.  Requires possession of a valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.

2. Requires ability to pass a background check.

3. Requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties. 

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

Work Hours:  Monday - Friday 8:30AM - 5:00PM  
Work Location: 6201 S Emerald Dr, Chicago, Illinois, 60621  

Supervisor:  Cedric Berryhill 
Agency Contact: 

Deneen Locke

Email: Deneen.Locke.@illinois.gov

Phone #:312-814-1222 

Posting Group: Social Services  

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program.  General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Title Descriptions. There are three categories of UMP titles: 1) certificate titles which require passing a written proficiency exam; 2) credential titles which require the possession of a specified college degree and/or licensure; and 3) dual titles for which a certificate may be earned by following either the certificate or credential pathway.

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