Permanency Specialist - Peoria

About the role

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is seeking a Permanency Specialist in Peoria. Under general supervision, the position provides professional child welfare casework services to children and families, determines the need and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities. It also involves interviewing clients and professionals to gather information for ongoing diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans. The position is full-time, Monday to Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm, with a hybrid schedule of 3 to 5 days per week in the office.

Key responsibilities

• Serve as Permanency Specialist, providing experienced professional casework services to children and families, working with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care.
• Conduct interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for diagnosis of problems and treatment plans.
• Transport clients when taking protective custody, placing them in substitute care or changing placement location.
• Prepare and maintain case documentation for planning, implementing and evaluating services.
• Participate in case staffings to facilitate case transfer and in multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the duties above.

Required profile

• Preferably a master's degree in social work, or a master's in a related human service field with one year of directly related casework/case management experience.
• Or a bachelor's degree in social work with one year of directly related experience, or a bachelor's in a related human service field with two years of directly related experience.
• Degree programs must be accredited, and the social work program must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.
• Experience must relate to family preservation, family reunification, adoption, youth development, counseling and advocacy services or a related field.
• Valid driver's license, daily access to an automobile and proof of vehicle insurance; ability to pass a background check.
• Overtime, including evenings, weekends and on-call duty, is a condition of employment.

What we offer

• Starting salary of $6,460 per month, up to $9,337 per month.
• Pension program and group insurance covering health, life, dental and vision.
• 12 paid sick days, 13 paid holidays, 10-25 vacation days and 3 personal business days.
• Flexible work schedules, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and a deferred compensation program.
• Optional pre-tax programs, GI Bill benefits for veterans and a 5% salary differential for bilingual positions.