PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Under administrative direction, manages a state-wide housing investigations unit, supervises a small to moderate staff of highly skilled professional personnel engaged in the investigation of charges of housing and other types of discrimination according to established policies; plans, assigns and reviews the activities of investigators; trains and advises staff in investigative methods and procedural guidelines; reviews and approves work products; evaluates work performance; provides motivation to staff as necessary. The Illinois Department of Human Rights (“IDHR”) is a state agency charged with the enforcement of the Illinois Human Rights Act ("Act"). The Act prohibits unlawful discrimination in Illinois with respect to employment, real estate transactions, financial credit, and public accommodations (including education). IDHR protects and guarantees the rights of all Illinoisans to be free from unlawful discrimination by receiving and investigating claims of unlawful discrimination. Moreover, the Act prohibits retaliation against a person who has opposed that which is reasonably and in good faith believed to be unlawful discrimination; prohibits the aiding, abetting, compelling or coercion of a person to commit a violation of the Act; and prohibits the willful interference with the performance of a duty or the exercise of a power by the Department or one of its officers or employees. At the forefront of protecting civil rights, IDHR welcomes all candidates for employment to apply for any position for which they are qualified. Join IDHR in its mission to secure an Illinois free from discrimination.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
Requires prior experience equivalent to three years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
The ability to travel occasionally with the possibility of overnight stays.

Nice To Haves

Prefers at least two (2) years of supervisory experience.
Prefers at least two (2) years of experience investigating civil rights, employment, or housing discrimination claims in a public or business environment?
Prefers least two (2) years of experience working as a Human Rights Investigator III in the Fair Housing Division or experience working investigations under the Illinois Human Rights Act or through the procedures of the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agency?
Prefers a minimum of two (2) years of experience managing office practices, procedures, and programs.
Prefers at least two (2) years of experience with Microsoft office suite, electronic case management programs or similar software systems.

Responsibilities

Supervises and directs the activities of a professional staff engaged in the investigation of housing and complex non-housing charges.
Develops management systems, monitors caseload management and guides staff to ensure that charges being processed through the unit are completed in a timely fashion and adhere to the contractual provisions of relevant federal agencies the policies and procedures of the Department and the statutory provisions of the Human Rights Act.
Serves as working supervisor, assigns and reviews work, provides guidance and training to assigned staff, counsels staff regarding work performance, reassigns staff to meet day-to-day operating needs, establishes annual goals and objectives, approves time off, and prepares and signs performance evaluations.
Provides staff with ongoing training in investigative and interviewing techniques, explains new laws or procedures affecting the Agency, coordinates formal and on-the-job training of staff, and holds regular group meetings with staff attorneys.
Provides for the effective coordination of program activities with outside agencies and groups, speaks before interested groups regarding the Department in general and the specific responsibilities and activities of the Housing Unit.
Attends and participates in weekly supervisors meeting.
Participates in the hiring and promotion of staff by assisting with applicant interviews and offering input into the selection process.
Performs other duties as assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the 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)
Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
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)
GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)