Cook/Northern Psychiatric Hospital Program Administrator

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Cook/Northern Psychiatric Hospital Program Administrator.  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 and communication capabilities.  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 and self-disclosure of criminal history.


• Requires travel, a valid driver’s license, daily access to an automobile, and proof of vehicle insurance.


• 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