Illinois DCFS is reducing government job offer wait times from months to weeks

Stepping into 2024, the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) is pleased to report on the success of being the first agency in more than a decade to re-initiate on-the-spot hiring events in conjunction with the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS). This method streamlines the hiring process for qualified candidates by providing them with conditional job offers and a start date, once background checks are completed, within weeks rather than months. 

At the inaugural On-the-Spot event of 2024, which took place on March 27 in Fairview Heights, the community response was inspiring. Hundreds of candidates arrived prepared with resumes, ready to work in communities needing more clerical support and caseworkers. The number of attendees leaving with conditional offers, more than 150, signified a remarkable turning point that showcases the event’s transformative impact. 

Organizational change takes time, and on-the-spot hiring is not yet standard Illinois DCFS practice. But the people of Illinois and child advocates everywhere can be proud of the strides we continue to make to fill more vital government roles. 

Our new process was originally put to the test in 2023 at two On-the-Spot hiring events in Rockford and Bloomington. Hundreds of candidates showed up at these events, eager to get the opportunity to serve their community. An astonishing 322 candidates left with conditional job offers in-hand, and once their background checks were approved, many of these changemakers were on the job as soon as four weeks later. 

Illinois DCFS has an obligation to rigorously vet job applicants, a thorough process involving interviews, comprehensive background checks and fingerprinting. Working in child welfare and providing social services is not like any other career, and it is important that state employees are qualified to meet the needs of the people. But prolonged processing can place an unfair strain on job applicants who are excited to join our mission. With our on-the-spot process, Illinois DCFS continues to engage more talented professionals who are ready to make a difference.

As of January 1, 2024, Illinois DCFS has more than 3,450 employees, a number not seen in more than 15 years, and we are just getting started! DCFS recruiters set up at several community events across the state each year – including job fairs, festivals, block parties, high schools, college campuses and county fairs – and regularly host virtual workshops for those unable to meet us in person. Keep an eye out for our events calendar on our social media pages and our website, dcfsjobs.illinois.gov.  

Kimberly Bates is deputy director of the Illinois DCFS Office of Employee Services.