State of Illinois logo
State of Illinois
Springfield, Illinois

SOCIAL WORKER III

Social Worker 8.2 Work-LifeNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$7K–$10K per month

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 7mo ago · Verified live

Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 53793

Opening Date: 03/20/2026Closing Date: 04/02/2026Agency: Department of Human ServicesClass Title: SOCIAL WORKER III (41413) Skill Option: None Bilingual Option: NoneSalary: Anticipated Salary: $6,589 - $9,974 per month ($79,068 - $119,688 per year)Job Type: SalariedCategory: Full Time County: SangamonNumber of Vacancies: 2Bargaining Unit Code: RC063 Professional Employees, Educators, Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators, and Physicians AFSCMEMerit Comp Code:

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended. When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application.

Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.

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 Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is seeking to hire a Social Worker III to perform extensive casework in the role of Treatment Coordinator for forensic adult patients. Conducts individual, group and family therapy on behalf of the patients.

Provides social work services for the unit, completes comprehensive social histories and social assessments.

Performs pre-placement evaluations through assessment of the patient’s social and psychiatric history, risk factors for the potential for violence, as well as evaluation of the patients understanding of the legal process in order to assess fitness for participating in his or her defense and to determine where the patient should be placed.

Serves as a member of various Performance Improvement Teams and is a member of the Social Work Services Committee. Essential Functions

  • Performs extensive casework in the role of Treatment Coordinator for forensic adult patients.
  • Serves as Treatment Coordinator for an assigned hall.
  • Conducts individual, group and family therapy on behalf of the patients.
  • Serves as designated lead worker.
  • Serves as a consultant to Inter-Disciplinary Treatment Team to ensure patient psychological needs are met.

Completes required court reports for Unfit to Stand Trial (UST) or Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) patients.

Serves as a member of various performance improvement teams and is a member of the social work services committee.

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 from a recognized college or university supplemented by two (2) years of professional social work experience in the evaluation and treatment/habilitation of mentally ill, developmentally disabled or other disabled persons.

Requires licensure as a Social Worker by the Department of Professional Regulations.

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
  • Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties.
  • Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
  • Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law

*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 8:00am-4:30pm; 1 hour unpaid lunch

  • Headquarter Location: 901 E Southwind Rd Springfield, IL 62703-5125
  • Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery
  • Elizabeth Packard Mental Health Center
  • Jefferson Hall & Lincoln Hall North A
  • Work County: Sangamon
  • Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov
  • Posting Group: Social Services

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois.

Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

  • 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: cms.illinois.gov

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.

State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.

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

Key Responsibilities

This role involves performing extensive casework as a Treatment Coordinator for forensic adult patients, including conducting individual, group, and family therapy sessions. The Social Worker III will also complete comprehensive social histories, social assessments, and required court reports for specific patient populations.

Requirements

Candidates must possess a master’s degree in social work supplemented by two years of professional social work experience in evaluating and treating disabled persons, and must hold a current Social Worker licensure from the Department of Professional Regulations. Employment is conditional upon passing a background check, drug screen, and demonstrating the ability to use office equipment and travel for job duties.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure
Experience
2+ years of experience

Key Skills

Treatment CoordinationIndividual TherapyGroup TherapyRisk AssessmentLegal Process EvaluationConsultationReport Writing

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates SOCIAL WORKER III at State of Illinois a 8.2 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as excellent. This places the position in the top 5% in Social Work — ranked against 6,558 active Social Work listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Social Worker Career Context

State of Illinois ranks #3 of 16 employers hiring Social Worker on WeekdayDoc by average advertised pay, and holds silver-tier status on the Top Employers work-life index, composite score 74/100, 49 active listings.

Of the 50 active Social Work listings this role was benchmarked against, 42% are remote, 30% have no call, 60% require no weekends.

The cost-of-living index for Illinois is 100.0 (US average = 100; BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)), so the posted ~$99k midpoint carries the purchasing power of roughly $99k in an average-cost state. 62.6% of Illinois clinicians report burnout symptoms in WeekdayDoc's Burnout Index (2026-01 data).

Top Social Worker Jobs

31 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution31 jobs · 23 employers

16
<$85k
8
$85k-105k
2
$120k
4
$125k-145k
1
$161k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks28 jobs · 23 employers

401k / retirement match
96% this job
Sign-on bonus
43%
CME allowance
36%
Loan repayment
25% this job
PSLF eligible
14% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Supervisor, Care Management (Social Worker)

Centene · Illinois

$87k-$161k
#2

Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker (LICSW)

LifeStance Health · Vancouver, Washington

$123k-$141k
#3

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

$123k-$141k
#4

Licensed Mental Health Therapist (LMFT, LCSW, LPCC)

$117k-$134k
+ 29 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 8.2
Among the best 10% of Social Work listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 6,558 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights

Living in Springfield

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$192k
Typical market rent
$1,159/mo
Residents’ average commute
17 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
92.7
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Aug 2026), Zillow market rents (Aug 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Springfield, IL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.

State of Illinois logo

About State of Illinois

Individual and Family Services
Springfield, Illinois
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Pension Program
Health Insurance
Life Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Paid Personal Business Days
Paid Sick Days
Paid Vacation