Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking an Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition. This position will be responsible for establishing and revising Early Childhood Transition program priorities, work plans, and policies and procedures to meet operating standards consistent with state and federal requirements. The employee in this position will serve as a full-line supervisor and will oversee the development of IDEC guidance and best practices for early learning settings serving children with disabilities and developmental delays. IDEC is the state’s first standalone agency dedicated exclusively to advancing equitable access to high-quality early childhood programs and services for young children, their families, and the professionals who support them. Established in 2024 and operational as of July 1, 2026, IDEC brings together early childhood programs and services previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) into one unified agency. IDEC works to make Illinois’ early childhood system simpler, fairer, and more accessible by improving access to services, strengthening program quality, supporting the early childhood workforce, and streamlining the experience for families, providers, and communities. Through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence, IDEC is building a stronger early childhood system that helps every child thrive and every family succeed.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college, with coursework in education, special education, early childhood education, public administration, or a related field.
Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization with an emphasis on special education, early childhood education, disability services, or a related field.
Requires the ability to successfully pass an agency criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
Requires the ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary equipment as required.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
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 may require the ability to work evenings and weekends
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of professional experience working for a school district, including experience with IEP development and implementation and evidence-based practices for ECSE, or at the state or regional level in education or early childhood systems.
Three (3) years of professional experience with IDEA Part B requirements and IEP processes.
Two (2) years of professional experience supporting children with disabilities and their families through transitions between community-based early education and public-school systems.
Two (2) years of professional experience coordinating across agencies or systems in a large public or private organization.
Two (2) years of professional experience as a supervisor or manager, including staff oversight and performance management.
Two (2) years of professional experience developing guidance or policy materials related to special education, early childhood education, or other related topics, including developing or implementing standardized procedures across multiple school districts or regions.
Master’s degree in special education, educational leadership, early childhood education, public policy, public administration, or a closely related field.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
Serves as primary program liaison to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on ECSE policy, practice, and coordination.
Serves as full-line supervisor for Early Childhood Transition Unit staff.
Supervises the development of IDEC guidance and best practices for early learning settings serving children with disabilities and developmental delays, in coordination with ISBE.
Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.