Deputy Director for Special Initiatives (SPSA, Opt. 1)

Job Requisition ID: DO 49190
BPIS: 05331

Start Date: 08/13/2025

Closing Date: 09/17/2025
​Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary range $11,000; Full salary range $11,000 - $13,000/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Exempt under Section 4d of the Personnel Code, Gubernatorial (Management Bill)

****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 Healthcare and Family Services 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.

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.

Position Overview

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services is seeking a motivated professional to serve as a Deputy Director of Special Initiatives. This pivotal role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of healthcare and social service delivery across the state. This position will lead the evaluation and strategic advancement of high-impact programs, including cross-agency initiatives and policy innovations that directly affect the lives of millions. Such expertise will guide the department through complex healthcare models and reform efforts, with a focus on Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Innovation models, 1115 Medicaid waivers, and initiatives that expand coverage and affordability.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible Hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas.
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Deputy Director for Special Initiatives for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS)
• Performs highly responsible, sensitive, and confidential policy making functions concerning innovative state and federal initiatives for agency programs relating to eligibility and coverage
• Represents the Director in meetings with the Governor’s Office, with sister agencies, with members of the Illinois General Assembly, with various legislative committees, and in official conferences with various public and private organizations doing business with or having officially recognized public interest in the policies, programs, and activities of HFS particularly regarding the US Department of Health and Human Services
• Represents the Director in conferring with agency administrators to coordinate changes in other parts of HFS necessary to accommodate Administration priorities and special initiatives to ensure the Director’s policies, procedures, and programs are actively and effectively implemented and adhere to state and federal mandates, rules, and regulations
• Serves as full line supervisor
• Serves as a member of the Director’s Executive Staff
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires the completion of four (4) years of college
• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience working in government or the healthcare industry
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience developing and implementing healthcare policy for a public or private organization
• Minimum of four (4) years of experience conducting research on government healthcare policies, including Medicaid Medicare, or Marketplace regulations
• Minimum of four (4) years of professional experience serving as spokesperson and subject matter expert for a health care program
• Advanced degree in public policy, public health, public administration, business administration, or similar field of study

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop
• 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 may require the ability to work evenings and weekends
• 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: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Work Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Agency Contact: [email protected]
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]