Workforce Training Provider Specialist

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Office of Employment and Training, is hiring a Workforce Training Provider Specialist (Manpower Planner III). Under the Planning Manager, this statewide role researches workforce trends, evaluates training providers, administers the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), and develops recommendations to strengthen Illinois’ workforce training system and access to quality jobs. The specialist supports workforce programs including WIOA, ETPL, Workforce Pell, CEJA, and JTED, and helps ensure providers meet federal and state requirements. The role works with partners, schools, employers, labor organizations, and agencies to improve provider quality and align training with employer needs, career paths, and Quality Jobs principles. The position is based at the DCEO headquarters in Springfield, Illinois, with an anticipated hybrid schedule of two to five days per week in the office depending on operational needs. Standard work hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Travel is required, potentially including overnight stays. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends. The role requires knowledge and experience equivalent to four years of college and three years of professional experience in manpower development or administration of a wide variety of personnel programs. Preferred qualifications include experience interpreting workforce laws and policies; workforce planning, research, analysis, and recommendations; administering workforce provider, technology, performance reporting, or grant systems; evaluating providers or program outcomes; and building partnerships across the workforce system.

Requirements

Knowledge and experience equivalent to completion of four years of college.
Three years of professional experience in manpower development, as could be gained at the Manpower Planner II level, or in administration of a wide variety of personnel programs.
Complete a background check and self-disclose criminal history.
Ability to travel for work, including overnight stays as appropriate.
Appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Ability to work overtime when requested or required, which may include evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Three years of professional experience interpreting and applying federal and state workforce development laws, regulations, policies, and guidance, including WIOA, workforce education, apprenticeship, economic development, or other workforce-related programs.
Three years of professional experience conducting workforce planning, research, program analysis, or developing recommendations to improve workforce education, training providers, or workforce development programs.
Three years of professional experience administering workforce training provider systems, workforce technology systems, performance reporting systems, or grant-funded workforce programs.
Two years of professional experience evaluating workforce training providers, workforce education programs, labor market information, participant outcomes, or program performance to support continuous improvement and accountability.
Two years of professional experience coordinating workforce initiatives or developing collaborative partnerships with educational institutions, employers, workforce boards, labor organizations, economic development organizations, governmental agencies, or other workforce system partners.

Responsibilities

Coordinate statewide workforce training provider planning, research, evaluation, and continuous improvement activities.
Administer statewide workforce training provider systems, including the Eligible Training Provider List (ETPL), and support consistent requirements, approvals, quality standards, and accountability processes.
Research workforce training providers, conduct program evaluation, and analyze performance to support quality, continuous improvement, and informed decision-making.
Collaborate with statewide partners to improve provider quality and alignment among workforce, education, employers, labor organizations, and economic development partners.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.

Benefits

Pension program
Group health, life, dental, and vision insurance
Three paid personal business days annually
Twelve paid sick days annually, with unused sick days carrying over from year to year
Ten to 25 days of paid vacation annually, with 10 days in the first year of employment
Thirteen paid holidays annually, and 14 in even-numbered years
Flexible work schedules when available and dependent on position
Twelve weeks of paid parental leave
Deferred compensation supplemental retirement plan
Optional pre-tax Medical Care Assistance Plan and Dependent Care Assistance Plan
Eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
GI Bill training/apprenticeship benefits eligibility for qualifying veterans
Five percent salary differential for bilingual positions
Commuter Savings Program for Chicago employees