Governor of Illinois
Position Overview
The Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice. The mission of the Division is to assist individuals in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living. The Communication Specialist will serve as the Division point of contact for media, legislative, customer and public inquiries and other public relations matters. This position will work with all areas of the Division to develop new and effective strategies for public relations through positive, proactive communication and will foster relationships with staff, community providers and advisory boards.
Essential Functions
Serves as the statewide Communication Specialist for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and works with all areas of the Division to develop effective strategies for public relations through positive, proactive communication.
Fosters relationships with staff, community providers, advocates, and advisory boards.
Prepares and presents information to a variety of audiences regarding DRS programming and service outcomes in various accessible formats.
Works with the training unit to develop curriculum and training related to positive communication skills.
Performs other duties as assigned or required as reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
Requires two (2) years of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Specialized Skills
From the two (2) years of experience, requires two (2) years’ experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization, including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
Preferred Qualifications
Two (2) years of experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization, including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
Three (3) years of professional experience in researching, ensuring understanding and using critical thinking to efficiently and accurately respond to complaints, inquiries, and/or issues.
Three (3) years of professional experience analyzing the impact of marketing materials, communication efforts and outcomes, customer complaints and outcomes, and trends/concerns and making recommendations for training and policy, procedure, and/or rule changes.
Two (2) years of professional experience collaborating on the creation of promotional materials and development of websites, newsletters, social media information, etc., as well as creating new options for dissemination of information.
Two (2) years of professional experience as a representative of a public or private agency planning, presenting and/or interpreting program information for the general public and/or internal/external entities.
Two (2) years of professional experience interacting with and communicating clearly and tactfully (orally and in writing) with a wide range of individuals that may include employees, agency staff, state agency officials, legislators, employers, community service providers, customers, public, and internal and external stakeholders.
Conditions of Employment
Requires ability to travel.
*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 1 hour unpaid lunch.
Work Location 100 South Grand Ave E, Springfield, Illinois, 62762
Agency Contact DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov
About the Agency The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well‑being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
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)
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)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
Application Instructions Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non‑State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non‑State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Essential Functions
Serves as the statewide Communication Specialist for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and works with all areas of the Division to develop effective strategies for public relations through positive, proactive communication.
Fosters relationships with staff, community providers, advocates, and advisory boards.
Prepares and presents information to a variety of audiences regarding DRS programming and service outcomes in various accessible formats.
Works with the training unit to develop curriculum and training related to positive communication skills.
Performs other duties as assigned or required as reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
Requires two (2) years of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Specialized Skills
From the two (2) years of experience, requires two (2) years’ experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization, including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
Preferred Qualifications
Two (2) years of experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization, including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
Three (3) years of professional experience in researching, ensuring understanding and using critical thinking to efficiently and accurately respond to complaints, inquiries, and/or issues.
Three (3) years of professional experience analyzing the impact of marketing materials, communication efforts and outcomes, customer complaints and outcomes, and trends/concerns and making recommendations for training and policy, procedure, and/or rule changes.
Two (2) years of professional experience collaborating on the creation of promotional materials and development of websites, newsletters, social media information, etc., as well as creating new options for dissemination of information.
Two (2) years of professional experience as a representative of a public or private agency planning, presenting and/or interpreting program information for the general public and/or internal/external entities.
Two (2) years of professional experience interacting with and communicating clearly and tactfully (orally and in writing) with a wide range of individuals that may include employees, agency staff, state agency officials, legislators, employers, community service providers, customers, public, and internal and external stakeholders.
Conditions of Employment
Requires ability to travel.
*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., 1 hour unpaid lunch.
Work Location 100 South Grand Ave E, Springfield, Illinois, 62762
Agency Contact DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov
About the Agency The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well‑being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
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)
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)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
Application Instructions Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process. If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non‑State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non‑State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
#J-18808-Ljbffr