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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome
Reasonable Accommodation Statement
The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.
To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents Additional Documents section for each application.
Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at
[email protected] or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.
Sponsorship for Employment
The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
Disclosure of Salary Information
In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
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Date: Jul 17, 2026
Location:
Champaign, IL, US, 61820
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Job Requisition ID: 55788
Job Requisition ID: 55788
Opening Date: 07/17/2026
Closing Date: 07/31/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: CHILD WELFARE SENIOR SPECIALIST - 07217
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary (effective 7/1/2026) $7,602/mo. Full Range $7,602-$11,110/mo.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Champaign
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
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.
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
Under direction, this position will provide experienced professional child welfare services involving psychiatric hospital care programs for children and youth with special needs, working to facilitate the provision of treatment services, service resources, and support for youth returning to their preadmission or new placement, based on the level of service intensity. This position will make recommendations in partnership with internal and external entities regarding a youth’s and family’s needs outside of DCFS care. The position will manage a system to track referrals, inter-agency engagement, psychiatric hospital engagement, and inter-agency engagement to determine outcomes, analyze data, and identify trends. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in ensuring youth receive appropriate resources and supports, while minimizing the extended use of crisis resources or psychiatric hospitals. 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.
Essential Functions
Serves as Regional Psychiatric Clinical Specialist.
Monitors and assesses psychiatric hospital care programs to ensure compliance with state regulations and best practice care, as well as compliance with standards regarding appropriate clinical capacity, admission requirements, and overall performance.
Provides input into ongoing quarterly clinical staffings.
Reviews management reports regarding psychiatric hospital care program performance and monitors corrective action plans, advising on and directing implementation of appropriate corrective action.
Identifies significant developments, patterns of performance problems, or other program issues and submits reports to appropriate Department staff to ensure that DCFS management and agency managers are aware of deficiencies and program weaknesses.
Tracks referrals, intra-agency engagement, psychiatric hospital engagement, and inter-agency engagement to determine outcomes.
Serves as liaison between various agencies, hospitals, and DCFS staff to maintain a supportive network of care and support through relationships with hospitals, providers, and internal or external agencies.
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, psychology, counseling, education, special education, or a related human service area. Requires five years of progressively responsible professional experience in a human services area, which includes two years of demonstrated experience independently interacting and negotiating with other systems of services (mental health, developmental disabilities, substance abuse, specialized medical, special education) in a clinical setting to ensure that children with special needs gain access to such services OR a master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, education, special education, or a related human service area, plus two years of verifiable supervisory** experience providing services to special needs children in a state or private human service agency. ** For clarification: Examples of qualifying supervisory experience for this class include, but are not limited to, a hospital director or an administrator with subordinate staff that provides services to special needs children.
Preferred Qualifications
3 years of experience in mental health services, including working with children and youth with intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders, or children and youth in the juvenile justice system in an inpatient or outpatient setting, 2 years of which include directing services for children and youth in inpatient psychiatric settings.
6 years of experience in a public or private organization applying extensive knowledge of the application of social work principles, methods, procedures, and techniques, with a special emphasis on serving children with special needs.
6 years of experience in a public or private organization applying extensive knowledge of the purpose and structure of public agencies, private child welfare agencies, and other community-based agencies serving special needs children.
6 years of experience in a public or private organization applying extensive knowledge of federal and state laws affecting the health and welfare of children, with a special emphasis on such laws which directly affect children with special needs.
6 years of experience in a public or private organization applying extensive knowledge of the range of child welfare and other services needed by children with special needs.
Specialized Skills
Of the noted years of experience, requires three years of experience in mental health services, including working with children and youth with intellectual disabilities, substance use disorders, or children and youth in the juvenile justice system in an inpatient or outpatient setting, two years of which include directing services for children and youth in inpatient psychiatric settings.
Conditions of Employment
Requires a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.
Requires ability to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
Requires physical, visual, and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
About the Agency
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.
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: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Headquarter Location: 2125 S 1st St, Champaign, Illinois, 61820
Work County: Champaign
Supervisor: A. Dunham Neubert
Agency Contact: Janet Potts
Email: [email protected] (FOR QUESTIONS ONLY)
Posting Group: Social Services
This position DOES contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
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:
[email protected]
[email protected]
Nearest Major Market: Champaign
Nearest Secondary Market: Urbana
