MIGRANT AND SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST - SPANISH SPEAKING

State of Illinois•North Aurora, IL

1d•$5,127 - $7,135•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Migrant and Seasonal Employment Specialist. Responsibilities include conducting frequent visits to working and living areas of farmworkers and other migrant and seasonal workers to provide technical assistance and guidance to individuals, employers, and communities regarding Migrant and Seasonal Farmworker (MSFW), H-2A Temporary Agricultural Workers (H-2A), and H-2B Temporary Non-Agricultural Workers (H-2B) programs and to verify compliance with related state and federal regulations. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of employment laws and services pertaining to migrant and seasonal farmworkers and is dedicated to providing information and assistance related to these services to eligible individuals and employers through community outreach. The ideal candidate for this position will have experience working as a migrant or seasonal farmworker, working closely with migrant or seasonal farmworkers, or have substantial work experience in farmworker activities, as well as experience communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders and providing employment services or related outreach services, such as social services, health services, legal services and/or education services, to migrant and seasonal farmworkers. 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.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college with major courses in the social sciences; OR Requires four (4) years of work experience in program research evaluation or design with two (2) of the years at the professional level
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
Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history
Requires ability to utilize the Spanish language in the performance of all duties
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license and access to an automobile
Requires the ability to perform the physical functions and tasks associated with onsite inspections, including but not limited to crouching, kneeling, bending, and walking
Requires exposure to various weather and environmental conditions during onsite inspections, including but not limited to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, dust, dirt, pollen, engine noise, and chemicals used in agricultural work
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
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
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

Nice To Haves

Two (2) or more years of experience conducting onsite field visits or inspections to verify compliance with federal or state program regulations, including documentation of findings and follow-up actions
Two (2) or more years of experience providing technical assistance to workers, employers, or community partners on rule-based eligibility-driven public programs, including explaining requirements and guiding users through processes or systems
At least one (1) year of experience collecting, analyzing and reporting program or case data using databases, case-management systems or labor exchange systems to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timely updates
At least one (1) year of experience conducting outreach or delivering field-based services to migrant, seasonal, or other underserved populations, including connecting individuals to available resources or support services
At least one (1) year of experience communicating program information to diverse internal and external stakeholders through presentations, written communications, or one-on-one interactions
Experience working as a migrant or seasonal farmworker, working closely with migrant or seasonal farmworkers, or have substantial work experience in farmworker activities
Experience communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders and providing employment services or related outreach services, such as social services, health services, legal services and/or education services, to migrant and seasonal farmworkers

Responsibilities

Under general supervision, serves as a Migrant and Seasonal Employment Specialist for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
Provides technical assistance and guidance to communities and state agencies regarding employment services programs available to farmworkers and other migrant or seasonal workers
Using systems including but not limited to the Illinois Labor Exchange System, enters job orders and services relevant to programs available to farmworkers and other migrant or seasonal workers
Utilizing word processing, spreadsheet and database management software, establishes and maintains various reports, including but not limited to reports of outreach activities, and logs complaints from employers, employees and other interested parties
Attends and participates in community and hiring events, including but not limited to employer orientations, for clients eligible for employment services programs available to farmworkers and other migrant or seasonal workers
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above