Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Program Representative. Responsibilities include providing services related to unemployment insurance benefits, such as determining unemployment insurance claims eligibility, and providing employment services. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to employment and Unemployment Insurance (UI) eligibility and is dedicated to ensuring UI benefit accuracy. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and have experience assisting clients in an employment service program, social service program or related area providing employment, human resource development or social welfare services. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of Illinois employers and job seekers.

Essential Functions

1. Under general supervision, for an assigned area, serves as a Program Representative for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
2. Performs functions related to receipt, review, entry, analysis and resolution of all types of routine, complex and special claims on benefit entitlement programs administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
3. Assists clients with various programs and services offered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and partner agencies
4. Adjudicates monetary and nonmonetary benefit claim issues, providing eligibility determinations for routine, initial or continued claims
5. Advises clients on work attitudes, habits, relationships and attire as related to a specific job referral
6. Establishes and maintains activity reports to demonstrate work activity and detail time charging
7. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skills and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college with academic background in social/behavioral sciences or business; OR
Requires two (2) years (3,000 work hours) of experience as a department intermittent staff member and a minimum of two (2) years college credits completed with passing grades in social/behavioral sciences or business; OR
Requires four (4) years (6,000 work hours) as a department intermittent staff member.

Qualifying state employees, in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this class.

2. Requires ability to speak and write the Spanish language at a colloquial skill level in carrying out position duties in conjunction with Spanish speaking clients.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history.
2. Requires ability to utilize Spanish in the performance of all duties.
3. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
4. This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
5. Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
6. 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

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making. IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.