CHILD PROTECTION SPECIALIST
Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
- Harrisburg, IL
- 1 day ago
- $6,768–$9,337 Per Month
- Full-time
Highlights
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. Position Overview: The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Child Protection Specialist.
Numbers & Facts
| Location | Harrisburg, IL |
| Job Type | Full-time |
| Salary | $6,768–$9,337 Per Month |
Description
Job Requisition ID: 58054
Opening Date: 09/10/2026
Closing Date: 09/24/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: CHILD PROTECTION SPEC - 07163
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,768 monthly; Full Range $6,460 - $9,337 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: M-F 8:30am-5pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 2 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 324 E Raymond St, Harrisburg, Illinois, 62946
Work County: Saline
Agency Contact: Zackary.Booher@Illinois.gov
Supervisor: Veretta Garnett
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.
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 an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Child Protection Specialist. 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 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.
Essential Functions:
Serves as 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
Job Responsibilities
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
Qualifications
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.
Benefits
Paid Time-Off, Military Leave, Flexible Schedule, Life Insurance, Paid Sick Days, Tuition Reimbursement, 401K, Parental Paid Leave, Medical, Dental, Vision
About Company
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. The Office of Legal Services works in a supportive capacity to ensure Departmental adherence to all applicable laws, statutes, regulations, and court orders.
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 & 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
Work Hours: Monday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Work Location: 60 E Van Buren, Chicago, Illinois, 60605
Agency Contact: Michael Bernardy
Michael.Bernardy@illinois.gov (for questions only)
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance
Revolving Door –
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this
position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during
State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.