Confidential Assistant

Job Requisition ID: 49143
Closing Date: 08/29/2025
​Agency:  Department of Early Childhood
Class Title:  SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070 
Skill Option:  General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel 
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: 8,825 to 11,500
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time 
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code:  Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

****A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****

Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), a copy of your transcripts or diploma for all degrees earned, and a copy of any applicable professional licensures to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. Please note that the Department of Early Childhood must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) before any offer can be extended. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of a Resume or CV.

***This position is Exempt from Jurisdiction B of the Illinois Personnel Code under provision of paragraph 4d(1)***

Position Overview: 

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood is seeking to hire a Confidential Assistant to serve as the agency’s Director of Special Projects and as advisor to the Secretary and senior leadership in the formulation of statewide policies and procedures for reforming key health and human service programs impacting early childhood. This high-impact role helps shape agency-wide and statewide policies including but not limited to early intervention and home visiting services.

Apply today to join a team committed to making Illinois the best place in the nation to raise a family!

Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday schedule
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
• 10 to 25 paid vacation days (based on years of service)
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days annually (pro-rated based on start date)
• 13-14 paid state holidays annually

Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as Director of Special Projects and as advisor to the Secretary and senior leadership in the formulation of statewide policies and procedures for reforming key health and human service programs impacting early childhood, including but not limited to the early intervention and home visiting services.
• Formulates, develops and manages project plans, timelines, budgets, data collection, and resource allocation to implement policy reforms in priority program areas.
• Provides administrative direction and oversight to senior management staff. Coordinates and provides direction for performance accountability for day-to-day operations.
• Defines specific areas requiring research and directs studies to evaluate existing policies, procedures and programs.
• Represents the Department and/or Secretary before other state agencies and governmental entities, the Governor’s Office, private and public organizations, and other community and professional groups to discuss and develop plans for new or revised policies, programs, and services and to explain and interpret ongoing IDEC policies, programs, and objectives

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college.

2. Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Previous experience with Medicaid policy or billing

2. Previous experience with long-term institutional reform projects or consent decrees

3. Three (3) years of professional experience developing and implementing policies and procedures.

4. Three (3) years of professional experience supervising professional staff.

5. Professional experience representing a program area or organization with public establishments, service providers, legislators, regulatory agencies, and the public.

6. Professional experience working with parents or caregivers in engagement or policy development efforts

7. Professional experience working with confidential information or sensitive issues.

8. Ability to clearly communicate ideas, methods, and principles, both verbally and in writing.

9. Ability to develop, implement and evaluate new and revised methods, procedures and performance standards.

10. Ability to exercise judgement and discretion in developing, implementing and interpreting departmental policies and procedures.

11. Ability to develop and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Conditions of Employment

Requires the ability to pass a background check.

Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.

Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Work Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Agency Contact: Sally McDaniel-Smith
Email: [email protected]
Phone #: 217-900-0865
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

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:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]