Careers | Human and Behavioral Sciences Programs | SIU

Child welfare social workers practice in family-based services that address the needs of children, youth and families. They may counsel children and youth who have behavioral problems or have difficulty adjusting socially. Social workers also work to protect children and intervene on their behalf when they are abused or neglected. Some of them work in residential institutions for children and adolescents. Still others specialize in adoption services and assist parents in arranging for adoptions.

Social workers investigate reports of neglect or abuse of children and must evaluate family situations with children's best interests in mind. The emphasis in protective services is to link parents with needed support services and resources to create a safe environment for children. Social workers may recommend temporary foster care when a child's safety is at issue. If children are removed temporarily, social workers will work on plans to reunite families as soon as possible. They may also initiate legal action to terminate parental rights and put the child up for adoption.

Employers

• Public Child Welfare Agencies
• Private Child Welfare Agencies
• Legal Services Agencies
• Adoption Agencies
• Foster Care Agencies
• Child Day Care

Social workers are important members of the healthcare teams in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities. They work together with doctors, nurses, administrators, and other professionals to help patients and their families cope with chronic or terminal illnesses. They assess a patient's needs for medical, and/or emotional treatment, as well as rehabilitation. Social workers help facilitate discharge and provision of supportive services for post-hospitalization by providing patients and the family caregivers with information and referral.

In health settings, social workers also provide case management and often help to organize support groups for families and patients suffering from AIDS, cancer, asthma, substance abuse, chronic illnesses of aging, disabilities, and organ transplants.  They develop new programs, lead support and educational groups, manage social work departments, network with community resources, and serve as a resource on managed-care plans.

Social workers are often hired by agencies that provide hospice care. The hospice movement is increasingly popular in this country. The goal of these agencies is to assist the dying to have optimal quality of life during their final months. Social workers employed by hospices provide counseling to these patients and their families, helping them adjust to the inevitable stressors presented by the dying process. The mission of hospice, which is to help patients take charge of their lives and make their own decisions during this critical period, coincides with the social work mission of helping people help themselves.

Employers

• Acute Care and Rehabilitation Hospitals
• Rural Health and Specialty Clinics
• Hospice and Home Health Agencies
• Nursing Homes
• Health Care Organizations (such as the American Lung Association)
• Public Health Departments

Clinical social workers provide more than half of the counseling and therapy services in the United States. As mental health providers they help clients with mental, emotional, alcohol or drug abuse problems through individual and group therapy, outreach and crisis intervention, and, in many cases, serve as agency directors and administrators.

Social workers in mental health settings provide services for persons who are unable to deal with day-to-day stress due to depression, emotional distress, mental disorders, or mental retardation.  They also assist in planning for supportive services and activities within the community.  Entry level positions include case managers, day treatment facilitators, and residential technicians. Advanced-level positions require a Masters in Social Work degree (MSW).

Employers

• Psychiatric Hospitals
• Family Service Agencies
• Residential Treatment Centers
• Sheltered Work Settings
• Community Mental Health Centers
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Schools
• Substance Abuse Treatment Programs

Social work in public welfare entails administration, implementation, monitoring, and program evaluation of the public welfare system.  Social workers provide information on how to apply for public assistance and other benefits, review eligibility requirements, and arrange for services. Social Workers also train and supervise caseworkers who provide direct services.  The main challenge of public welfare agencies is to develop effective programs for self-sufficiency and moving people from public welfare into the workforce and mainstream of society.

Employers

• Public Welfare Agencies
• Private Social Service Agencies

There is a great need for a professional social work practice in our aging society.  Social workers provide services to senior citizens such as counseling, income assistance, transportation, home care assistance, and recreational activities to help them remain active, healthy, and independent as long as possible. 

They run support groups for family caregivers, advise on the availability of services and long-term care, as well as coordinate and monitor services for the elderly.

Employers

• Nursing Homes
• Senior Centers
• Hospitals and Medical Centers
• Hospice Programs
• Senior Housing Facilities
• Mental Health Centers
• Employee Assistance Programs
• Legal Services Agencies

A growing practice field for occupational or corporate social workers is in employee assistance programs (EAPs).  These programs are available with large corporations, businesses, and labor unions, mostly in urban and industrial settings.  EAP social workers counsel workers and executives alike to help them achieve emotional well-being and improve job performance.  They deal with the diverse problems and situations affecting American workers today:  divorce, single parenthood, substance abuse, domestic violence, depression, eating disorders, vocational rehabilitation, stress, takeovers, layoffs, etc.  In this way, social workers help businesses and organizations improve their productivity.

Employers

• Employee Assistance Programs
• Businesses
• Private Consulting Firms
• Corporations
• Labor Unions

School social workers work closely with teachers, administrators, and other professionals to help children with physical or learning disabilities as well as emotional problems.  They provide counseling and referral services for a range of concerns including family problems, domestic violence, child abuse, neglect, and poverty.  They serve as a liaison between family and school and often between school and community. 

School social workers also provide a number of services to students in special education programs. To work in a school as a school social worker in Illinois, an MSW degree and a Professional Educators License (PEL) are required.

Employers

• Schools: Elementary/Secondary
• Head Start Centers
• Special Education Centers
• Counseling Centers

Social workers in criminal justice make recommendations to courts, serve as expert witnesses, do pre-sentencing assessments, and provide services for prison inmates and their families.  They focus on rehabilitation by providing therapy, drug and alcohol addiction treatment, and basic life-skills training. Many social workers become probation officers or parole officers.  They help ex-offenders access supportive services upon release from prison.  Social workers may arrange for a halfway house, job training, employment, remedial classes, counseling, child care, and/or transportation. 

Social workers may also work in victim services programs, courts, and police departments.

Employers

• Prisons
• Courts
• Police Departments
• Victim Assistance Services

There are numerous opportunities for social workers in community development programs and projects that are designed to provide community, professional, and volunteer services.  This is an area of employment that is expanding as greater responsibility for human service programs is assumed by cities, towns, communities, neighborhoods, and local organizations. 

Social workers participate in establishing and operating such services as homeless shelters, youth activities, free lunch programs, parent training and child care, migrant worker services, educational programs, and services for homebound elderly and persons with disabilities.

Employers

• Community Funded Projects
• Religious Organizations
• Neighborhood Organizations
• Americorps
• Vista

International Social Work involves direct services in child welfare, family planning, health and mental health, international adoptions, human rights advocacy, and refugee programs through relief and international aid organizations.  Social workers also assist governments in developing delivery systems and training programs.  They provide technical assistance and are involved in research projects.  International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Red Cross, the United Nations, and numerous non-government organizations employ social workers.

Employers

• Relief Organizations and Agencies
• International Human Rights Agencies
• Peace Corps
• Non-Government Organizations

Posted: February 17, 2025

Position: Area Administrator

Department of Children & Family Services - Urbana, Illinois 61801
Deadline to apply: February 26, 2025

Apply Here
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 CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov 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). 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.

Date: Feb 10, 2025

Location: Urbana, IL, US, 61801

Job Requisition ID: 44598

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.

Job Requisition ID: 44598
Closing Date/Time: 02/26/2025
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070

Title: Senior Public Service Administrator. Opt 6 (Area Administrator Permanency) - Champaign
Skill Option: Health and Human Services
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,100 - $11,100/Month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Champaign
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: None
Requisition#: 44598

****A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Department of Children and Family Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

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 Area Administrator of Permanency Services. Subject to management approval, this position will oversee Permanency Team Supervisors who are responsible for comprehensive child welfare services throughout the region. The position provides input into regional planning activities for child protection and child welfare and coordinates community and field office support with its counterparts in the Child Protection service area. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in being a leader in the administration of child welfare services. 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 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
• Plans, develops, and oversees the administration and integration of comprehensive child
welfare services for assigned areas within the region.
• Maintains authority and accountability for system outcomes and continuity of care in
designated areas.
• Directs, coordinates, and reviews the activities of program personnel.
• Provides extensive input into the formulation and development of policies and procedures for
program services and directs their implementation within area of oversight.
• Interacts with and coordinates community and field office support with the appropriate Area
Administrators for Child Welfare Services.
• Advises the Regional Administrator of program needs, achievements, and problematic
issues, developing strategies and proposals to address problem areas and enhance
operations.
• Drives or travels to various locations in the performance of duties.

Minimum Qualifications
• Requires an MSW or master’s degree in a related human services field, in business
administration, or a juris doctorate.
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative child welfare experience with
an MSW OR five years of progressively responsible administrative child welfare experience
with a master’s degree in a related human services field, in business administration, or a juris
doctorate

Preferred Qualifications
• 5 years of experience managing or conducting child welfare casework services.
• 3 years of experience supervising professional staff.
• Professional experience in the oversight of a large program with multiple sites or multiple
teams of subordinate professional staff.
• Professional experience conducting quality review of team functioning.
• Professional experience in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
• Professional experience conducting planning activities for a social work program on a
regional or statewide basis in a management capacity.
• Professional experience conducting community outreach as a representative of a public or
business organization.

Conditions of Employment
• Requires the ability to pass a background check.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s
license.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job
duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am to 5:00pm
Work Location: 2125 S 1st St., Champaign, IL 61820

Supervisor: Vacant
Agency Contact: Denise Bean-Mathis
Email: denise.bean-mathis@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-524-0275
Posting Group: Social Services

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.

Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Children and Family Services’s discretion.
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

Nearest Major Market: Champaign
Nearest Secondary Market: Urbana

POSTED:  3/10/2025

Position Title: School Social Worker 

Location: Perandoe Special Education District 

Reports to:  Executive Director or Designee 

Qualifications: The School Social Worker will hold a current and valid Professional Educator License with an endorsement in School Social Work. Masters Degree in Social Work. 

Evaluation: The School Social Worker will be evaluated by the Executive Director or designee according to the Perandoe Evaluation Plan

FLSA Class: Exempt 

SUMMARY: The School Social Worker provides direct and indirect social work services to students experiencing social, emotional and/or behavioral problems that interfere with their performance in school, and facilitates communication among school, home and community providers.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Communicate and collaborate effectively with others.
• Ensure confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Maintain a record of dependability as evidenced by consistent attendance, punctuality and attention to work.
• Understand and adapt to a variety of situations.
• Maintain and exhibit general and personal safety practices.
• Work independently and exercise good judgment.
• Assume personal responsibility for professional performance and growth.
• Utilize effective problem-solving processes.
• Read, understand, and follow verbal and written directions.
• Utilize applicable technology to support performance responsibilities.

SPECIFIC:

• Develop, deliver, evaluate, and revise the school social work program.
• Demonstrate knowledge of content and application in the practice of social work services within a school setting.
• Assist students in the areas of academic, social, behavioral, and emotional development as well in career awareness.
• Provide individual and small group social work services in a variety of settings.
• Consult and collaborate with teachers, staff, and parents in understanding and meeting the needs of students in the school setting.
• Responding proactively to behavior by offering strategies to school staff and parents to promote social emotional wellbeing of students.
• Collaborate with school staff and school psychologist to formulate, initiate, and manage behavior plans.
• Provide in-service training and make presentations to staff.
• Assessing the needed services and coordinate those services with parents, outside agencies, and school staff.
• Participate in activities that contribute to the effective operation of the district and schools.
• Monitor and advise students of their progress and provide on-going communication with parents.
• In collaboration with teachers, parents, and staff, prepare students for transition to the next levels.
• Adhere to ethical standards that are outlined by NASW and Illinois School Code.
• Participate and prepare information for re-evaluations, annual review, and progress review meetings as determined by district.
• Keep ongoing records including both academic and behavioral progress.
• All other duties as assigned.

The statements in this job description are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work to be performed by (an) individual(s) assigned to this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities related to the position. This job description will be reviewed periodically as duties and responsibilities change with district necessity and Management Council policy and procedures. Essential and marginal job functions are subject to modification.

Revised: December 2022

Employee Benefits: Social Worker 2025-26 SY

Total Salary/Benefit Package (For School Year)

• Based tentatively per resume (we will need transcripts for final determination) for 190 days.

Retirement Plan

• TRS (Teacher’s Retirement System)
• Employee pays $0 and Employer pays TRS 9%, THIS .90%, ETHIS .67%, and TRS 2.2 .58% rate.

Medical Insurance:  

• $7,130 toward employee policy premium
• or $6,630 Cash Option added to salary Vision and Dental: Employee paid

Paid Leave: 

• Sick Days: 16 (unused accumulate to a maximum of 240 days)             Personal Days:  3 (not used rolls into sick days)

Mileage:

• Reimbursed at the IRS rate

Professional Development

• District Paid Professional Development Opportunities