Job Description

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: 51975
Closing Date: 12/30/2025
​Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Social Worker/Clinical Social Worker
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary $8,500 to $10,500/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code:

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

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.

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Psychiatric Hospital Program Administrator. This position manages and oversees the Cook and Northern Regions' Psychiatric Hospital Program (PHP). The position provides guidance and direction to regionally based teams which make critical determinations of youth placements. This position will develop practice standards for mental health service providers and provides/oversees clinical/technical consultation and assistance to treatment providers and higher end service providers. In addition, the position will provide input in the implementation of statewide policies regarding psychiatric hospital care and psychiatric services to children and youth. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a role in ensuring that children in care of DCFS receive the best health care possible. 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 Cook/Northern Psychiatric Hospital Program Administrator.
• Reviews, analyzes, and determines the effectiveness of psychiatric hospital care programs for children and youth
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Directs, coordinates, and manages the dissemination of information concerning initiatives and activities related to services provided to Department clients.
• Serves as liaison to various entities regarding all aspects of planning and provision of services to children with psychiatric needs.
• Monitors the Psychiatric Hospital Tracking (PHT) system to ensure that all discharges are entered accurately and in a timely manner.
• Explains, clarifies, and describes clearly defined agency policy, operations, and programs to clients, community agencies, and others.
• 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, with appropriate state licensure as a Clinical Social Worker (LCSW).
• Requires three years administrative experience in child welfare services, including clinical consultation, assessment, and mental health services.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of professional experience working with children and youth in a psychiatric services field.
• 3 years of supervisory experience leading a team of professional staff in the field of clinical social work in a public or business organization.
• 3 years of professional experience evaluating program and personnel performance.
• 3 years of professional experience conducting quality review in a public or business organization.
• 3 years of professional experience conducting staff training for professional staff in a social work area.
• 3 years of professional experience serving in a liaison capacity for a public or business organization.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires 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 - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60616 (The official headquarters is 1911 S. Indiana, but you will be assigned to work at another DCFS office in Cook County.)

Work County: Cook

Supervisor Vacant

Agency Contact: Janet Potts
Email janet.potts@illinois.gov

Posting Group: Social Services

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