Child Protection Investigator

Location:

Peoria, IL, US, 61603

Job Requisition ID: 36261

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
Closing Date/Time: 04/04/2024
Salary: $5,592 - $8,344 Monthly; Anticipated Starting Salary $6,049 Monthly (Step 1)
Job Type: Salaried
County: Peoria
Number of Vacancies: 4
Plan/BU: RC062

PUC: 90682299

REQ: 36261

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 OFFICIAL COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS

Position Overview

Under direction of the team supervisor, receives and investigates reports of child abuse and neglect within mandated time limits; assesses immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of protection needed; conducts home evaluations, observing family situations relating to allegations of abuse and neglect; interviews clients and professionals to obtain information for the purposes of making a finding and determining protection and service needs; conducts service assessments; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments; prepares investigation reports; selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies; determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities.

Job Responsibilities

1. Receives and investigates reports of alleged child abuse/neglect within mandated time limits; assesses immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of child protection needed; drives to conduct home evaluations, observing family situations relating to allegations of child abuse/neglect; interviews clients and professionals to obtain information for purposes of making a finding on the allegations and determining protection and service needs; conducts service assessments; provides information and referral services to community agencies, purchase of service agencies, and the permanency unit; briefly monitors families referred to community services; on a rotating basis, assigned to 24 hour “on call” duty in addition to normal assignments, to ensure that services are provided as mandated by statute and policy.

2. Prepares investigation reports for assessing validity of reports of allegations; completes forms authorizing payment for services provided to clients; prepares other statistical and narrative reports, which include documentation in the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System; completes service assessments and opens case records.

3. Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies; attends supervisory conferences and consults with other disciplines regarding casework planning; makes recommendations for additional follow-up services.

4. Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities; provides recommendations and testifies in court regarding investigative findings.

5. Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services; develops and maintains working relationships with community and other state agencies; explains agency responsibilities to the community.

6. Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location; transports clients to appointments (i.e., court hearings, medical appointments, counseling sessions, police station, etc.) and to necessitate the delivery of client services.

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
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.

Conditions of Employment

Requires ability to satisfactorily pass an in-depth background check as a condition of employment.

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

Requires ability to serve on 24 hour "on call" duty

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Work Location: 2001 NE Jefferson Ave, Peoria, Illinois, 61603
Agency Contact:

Shane Power

Email: shane.m.power@illinois.gov

Posting Group: Social Services

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Child Protection Investigator. Under direction, this position will receive and investigate reports of alleged child abuse/neglect within mandated time limits. The position assesses the immediate safety of children and initiates appropriate levels of child protection needed. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring the safety of children and youth. 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.

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

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $67,104.00 - $100,128.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Education:

• Bachelor's (Required)

Ability to Relocate:

• Peoria, IL 61603: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person