Job Responsibilities

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Permanency Assistant. Under general supervision, this position will provide assistance in making arrangements of placements for children. The position will drive to transport children to and from placements, as well as for court hearings, health exams, medical appointments, etc. The position will also provide assistance with program activities for children and will observe children and report to the caseworker and/or supervisor any unusual behavior relating to the mental, social adjustment, and overall health of children. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a supporting role in ensuring the safety and stability 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.

1. Serves as Permanency Assistant to Child Welfare Specialists by providing assistance in making arrangements of placements for children, drives to transport children to and from placements, as well as for court hearings, health exams, medical appointments, counseling appointments, assessment etc., provides assistance with program activities for children, such as socialization, and monitors to ensure safety, emotional, and behavioral needs are met, provides assistance to direct service staff in picking up forms and/or payments that occur during the normal processes of child placements, ensures the safety of children being transported through the use of seatbelts and/or age-appropriate car seats for each minor in the auto, and accompanies the assigned caseworker on home visits when applicable

2. Provides support to Child Welfare Specialist efforts to move youth to appropriate Permanency options by assisting in obtaining related vital statistic documents for youth, obtaining related medical information and works with the assigned caseworker to provide support to youth and foster parents

3. Provides support and feedback to the assigned worker regarding observation of child during a child parent visitation when applicable by providing direct 1:1 supervision of assigned youth while sourcing for placement

4. Observes children and reports to the caseworker and/or supervisor any unusual behavior relating to the mental, social adjustment, and overall health of children by reporting to the caseworker, supervisor, and/or DCFS Child Abuse Hotline any communication with children resulting in disclosure of child abuse and neglect and documents observations in writing

5. Attends and provides input into team meetings

6. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

Requires any combination of education and experience which provides knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to either completion of two years of college and one year of experience

OR

three years of experience working with culturally disadvantaged persons in a social service program

Employment Conditions

1. Requires 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