Workforce Professional Development Specialist (SOCIAL SERV PROGRAM PLANNER IV)

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking an Social Service Program Planner IV to serve as the Workforce and Professional Development Specialist. This position will provide technical assistance to program administrators within the agency to enhance and promote the Workforce program and other early childhood initiatives within the state of Illinois. 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.

Requirements

Requires two (2) years of professional experience working in the field of early childhood.
Requires two (2) years of professional experience working with early childhood block grant programs within the past 5 years (2021-2026) and implementing early childhood education initiatives for a public entity.
Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of a master's degree.
Requires two (2) years of progressively responsible professional experience in community organization, social service work or in program planning and development.
Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires ability to use state issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Requires basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including SharePoint, Teams, and OneDrive.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of professional experience working in the field of early childhood.
Two (2) years of professional experience working with early childhood block grant programs within the past 5 years (2021-2026) and implementing early childhood education initiatives for a public entity.
Two (2) years of professional experience in the development and implementation of early childhood workforce and/or professional development programs.
Two (2) years of professional experience developing, implementing, and/or evaluating new and revised methods, procedures, and performance standards for early childhood professional development that adhere to state and/or federal mandates.
Two (2) years of professional experience in collecting, analyzing, and/or overseeing multifaceted data to track performance and outcomes for service delivery enhancements at a public or private organization.
Prefers the ability to communicate orally and in writing and the ability to research and critically analyze potential issues.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Workforce and Professional Development Specialist for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
Conducts content reviews and data analysis to improve IDEC initiatives related to the agency’s Workforce programs.
Manages grants and contracts, including developing program deliverables, providing guidance on program direction, supporting programs, and managing needed contracting or budgetary functions for federal and/or state grants.
Serves as a working supervisor.
Facilitates and/or represents IDEC at internal and/or external workgroups, advisory councils, meetings, retreats, forums, and conferences relative to Workforce and Professional Development activities.
Participates in training as necessary to strengthen both staff and the Division.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.