What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy Director of Policy (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR) position at illinois?
Job Requisition ID: 55230
Opening Date: 04/16/2026
Closing Date: 04/29/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $11,000 per month ($114,000 - $132,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment/ Agency
A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.
Position Overview:
Under the direction of the Director of Policy, the Deputy Director of Policy provides senior-level leadership and oversight of IDEC’s policy development, implementation, and coordination efforts. This position ensures alignment of policy initiatives with the Department’s mission, strategic priorities, and statutory requirements. The Deputy Director of Policy interacts extensively with other state agencies, local governments, community partners, and non-profit organizations to address issues impacting individuals and families receiving IDEC‑funded services. Serves as a full‑line supervisor, providing direction, guidance, and performance management to professional staff. The role is responsible for overseeing the creation and maintenance of internal policy frameworks, guidance documents, and operational standards to promote consistent, high‑quality policy application across IDEC programs and initiatives. The position works collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to identify emerging policy issues, recommend solutions, and support implementation of statewide early childhood programs.
Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday schedule
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
- Paid Parental leave
- Pension Plan
- Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
- Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
- (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
- Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
- (13-14) paid state holidays annually
Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.
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.
Essential Functions
- Under the direction of the Director of Policy, serves as Deputy Director of Policy for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
- Interacts with other state agencies, local governments, and non-profit organizations to address issues that impact individuals receiving IDEC-funded services.
- Serves as a full-line supervisor.
- Oversees the development and implementation of various internal policy frameworks, guidance documents, and operational standards to ensure consistent policy application across IDEC programs and initiatives.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in public policy, political science, or a related field.
- Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience involving policy making, advocacy, and/or analysis in a public or business organization.
Preferred Qualifications
- Four (4) years of professional experience interpreting public policy and government administration, principles, and practices for a public or business organization.
- Three (3) years of professional experience working with early childhood programs and service objectives, activities, and operational systems.
- Three (3) years of professional experience developing, installing and evaluating new and revised methods, procedures, and performance standards for a public or business organization.
- Two (2) years of experience interpreting and/or implementing policies and procedures for a state or federal government agency.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
- Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
- 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.
- Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
- Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
- This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
*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 Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026. Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: Melissa Long
Email: dec.jobs@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Social Services
Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.
Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Early Childhood’s discretion.
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 using the “View Profile” link at 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