Policy and Program Operations Administrator

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

7d•$117,996 - $141,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Division of Family & Community Services is seeking a strategic, results‑oriented, and collaborative administrator to oversee Bureau of Employment and Training (E&T) Policy and Program Operations for the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS). This leader must excel at communicating effectively across all levels of the organization and possess strong critical‑thinking skills, deep policy and operational insight, and demonstrated success managing complex, multi‑faceted programs. The Administrator will guide statewide Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) E&T and related workforce initiatives by overseeing program design, policy development and implementation, grantmaking and contracting, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate brings a commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and equitable, customer‑centered service delivery, ensuring high‑quality, compliant, and accessible pathways to training, skills, and employment for Illinois residents. The Division’s mission is to assist Illinois residents by connecting them with public assistance programs and services. Through its programs, services, and prevention efforts, the Division improves the health and well-being of individuals and promotes self-sufficiency and integrity of families of Illinois.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent of four (4) years college with course work in social or human services field.
Requires four (4) years progressively responsible administrative employment and training policy and program experience in a human and health services organization.

Nice To Haves

Four (4) years of professional leadership and oversight of a public assistance employment and training program such as Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Employment and Training (TANF E&T), Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), or similar.
Three (3) years of professional supervisory experience leading a team of professional or managerial staff, including staff onboarding, establishing priorities, assigning work, coaching and training staff, and conducting performance evaluations.
Three (3) years of professional experience interpreting and applying Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and/or Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) policy and regulations to develop and implement program policy guidance for staff.
Three (3) years of professional experience in grantmaking or contract management within a public or private organization.
Three (3) years of professional experience working with federal cost principles and/or Illinois Grant Accountability and Transparency Act (GATA).
Three (3) years of professional experience using advanced Microsoft Excel functionalities such as pivot tables, complex formulas, data validation, filters, and slicers and data management systems such as SharePoint to direct complex data analysis, tracking, and monitoring activities.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Bureau of Employment and Training (E&T) Policy and Program Operations Administrator, providing strategic leadership and oversight to strengthen statewide SNAP Employment and Training (SNAP E&T), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Employment and Training (TANF E&T), and other workforce policy and program operations in alignment with Division of Family & Community Services’ goals.
Serves as full-line supervisor.
Leads the design and execution of the Bureau’s policy and programmatic efforts related to E&T program access, effectiveness, quality, and compliance with state and federal requirements.
Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with the members and officials of the Illinois General Assembly, the Office of the Governor, the Attorney General, the Bureau of Budget, the Federal Government and other State, Federal and Local agencies interested in interacting in the Office of Workforce Development.
Defines, directs, and evaluates areas for program research and the development of information and data required to facilitate managerial decision-making processes.
Works closely with FCS Family and Community Resource Centers to improve employment and training services to customers, identify solutions to issues, coordinate the implementation of contractual agreements, and expansion of service providers based on need.
Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Benefits

A Pension Program
Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)