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Contract Social Worker Jobs in Springfield, IL (NOW HIRING)

Showing results 21-40

Contract Social Worker information

See Springfield, IL salary details

$34.2K

$75.6K

$116K

How much do contract social worker jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract social worker in Springfield, IL is $75,587.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $58,500.00 and $90,700.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a contract social worker do?

As a contract social worker, your responsibilities involve providing social services to clients on a temporary or independent basis. In this role, you may take the place of a staff social worker in their absence or provide additional support for a social services department when needed. Your job duties include completing assessments for each client or family, creating or reviewing a treatment plan for each case, helping clients cope with issues, and setting development goals.

What is the difference between Contract Social Worker vs Staff Social Worker?

AspectContract Social WorkerStaff Social Worker
Employment TypeTemporary or project-basedFull-time or part-time permanent
CredentialsRequired social work license, relevant certificationsRequired social work license, relevant certifications
Work EnvironmentVarious settings, often short-term projectsConsistent workplace, such as hospitals, schools, agencies
Employer UsageAgencies, consulting firms, government contractsHospitals, schools, social service agencies

Contract Social Workers typically work on short-term projects or assignments, often with flexible schedules and varied settings. Staff Social Workers are employed on a permanent basis, providing ongoing support within a specific organization. Both roles require similar credentials and certifications, but differ mainly in employment stability and work arrangement.

What are some common challenges faced by contract social workers, and how can they be addressed?

Contract social workers often work with multiple organizations or agencies, which can lead to challenges such as adapting quickly to different workplace cultures, managing inconsistent caseloads, and navigating varied documentation systems. Building strong communication skills and maintaining organized records can help ease transitions between assignments. Additionally, proactively networking with colleagues and staying current with best practices in social work can foster smoother collaborations and professional growth across diverse work environments.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract social worker, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Contract Social Worker, you need a solid educational background in social work (BSW or MSW), relevant state licensure, and experience in case management and client assessment. Familiarity with case management software, electronic health records, and documentation systems is typically required. Strong interpersonal skills, empathy, and the ability to work independently help Contract Social Workers build trust and effectively support diverse clients. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering high-quality services, maintaining compliance, and achieving positive outcomes in often dynamic and autonomous work environments.

What is a contract social worker?

Contract Social Workers are professionals who provide social work services on a temporary or project basis, rather than being employed full-time by a single organization. They may work for agencies, schools, hospitals, or private practices, and are usually hired to fill short-term needs, cover staff absences, or assist with specific projects. Contract Social Workers perform many of the same duties as full-time social workers, such as conducting assessments, providing counseling, and connecting clients with resources. Their flexible arrangements allow organizations to address fluctuating workloads while offering social workers diverse work experiences.
What are the most commonly searched types of Social Worker jobs in Springfield, IL? The most popular types of Social Worker jobs in Springfield, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Contract Social Worker jobs in Springfield, IL? For Contract Social Worker jobs in Springfield, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Springfield, IL are hiring for Contract Social Worker jobs? Cities near Springfield, IL with the most Contract Social Worker job openings:
Infographic showing various Contract Social Worker job openings in Springfield, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, 7% Temporary, and 14% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,587 per year, or $36.3 per hour.

PERMANENCY SPECIALIST (UMP) - SPRINGFIELD

State of Illinois

Springfield, IL • On-site

$6.4K - $9.3K/mo

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 11 days ago


State Of Illinois rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 74 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Requisition ID: 57616
Opening Date:
07/27/2026
Closing Date:
08/10/2026
Agency:
Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: 
CHILD WELFARE SPECIALIST - 07218 

Working Title: PERMANENCY SPECIALIST (UMP) - SPRINGFIELD

Skill Option: UMP Credential 
Bilingual Option: 
None
Salary:
Anticipated Starting Salary $6,460/mo; Full Range $6,460/mo - $9,337/mo
Job Type:
Salaried
Category: 
Full Time 
County:
Sangamon
Number of Vacancies:
1
Bargaining Unit Code: 
RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME

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.

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 Permanency Specialist.  Under general supervision, this position will provide professional child welfare casework services to children and families, determining the need and coordinating the placement of children in substitute care facilities.  Additionally, the position will conduct interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans.  This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in playing a 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.

Essential Functions
  • Serves as Permanency Specialist providing experienced professional casework services to children and families.
  • Works with intact families and children in home and/or substitute care.
  • Conducts interviews with clients and professionals to obtain information for the continued diagnosis of problems and development of treatment plans.
  • Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location.
  • Prepares and maintains case documentation for planning, implementing, and evaluating services.
  • Participates in case staffings to facilitate case transfer and participates in multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services.
  • 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 a master's degree in a related human service field, supplemented by one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience; OR requires a bachelor's degree in social work and one year of directly related professional casework/case management experience; OR requires a bachelor's degree in a related human service field and two years of directly related professional casework/case management experience.

The college or university issuing a bachelor's or master's degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education.  The directly related professional casework/case management experience must be related to family preservation, family reunification, adoption, youth development, counseling, and advocacy services or a related field.

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.
  • Requires physical, visual and auditory ability to carry out assigned duties.
  • Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.  This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.  This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour "on call" capacity.
  • 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: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 1124 N Walnut St, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Supervisor: Shirril Lawson
Agency Contact: Denise Bean-Mathis
Email: denise.bean-mathis@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-524-0275         
Posting Group: Social Services

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles.  To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

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

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the "Apply" button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

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:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

What State Of Illinois employees say

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State of Illinois logo

About State of Illinois

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Illinois is not a traditional company, but rather a governmental entity encompassing diverse agencies and departments that serve the constituents of Illinois. Based in Illinois, United States, this governmental body communicates with its citizens through the official website illinois.gov. The website is a one-stop resource for Illinois residents to access information about the state's services, including education, healthcare, transportation, and public safety, among others.

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Springfield, IL, US

Year founded

2009

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