DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LICENSING

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

Job Requisition ID: 49809
Closing Date: 09/24/2025
​Agency:  Department of Children 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 $11,500 to $13,500
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time 
County: Cook; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Sangamon; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
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 Children 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 Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Deputy Director of Licensing. Subject to management approval, this position will direct the establishment, formulation, interpretation, and implementation of all agency policy, plans, and general programmatic administrative procedures involving the Division of Licensing. The position will review and recommend revision to proposed or existing procedures, methods, statutes, rules, and regulations concerning division programs. Through subordinate administrators, this position will administer and direct the activities of the Central Office of Licensing, Agencies and Institutions Licensing, Day Care Licensing, and Foster Home Licensing, providing high level advice and consultation in the management of the various licensing specializations, particularly with regard to high profile cases. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership skills. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about children and interested in being a leader in the administration of agency licensing services to ensure that providers adhere to all appropriate licensing requirements to keep children safe. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Deputy Director of Licensing
• Provides input into the review of legislation for the improvement or revision of current or new agency programs and services
• Through subordinate administrators, administers and directs the activities of the Central Office of Licensing, Agencies and Institutions Licensing, Day Care Licensing, and Foster Home Licensing, providing high level advice and consultation in the management of the various licensing specializations, particularly with regard to high profile cases
• Serves as full line supervisor
• Plans the program interface with budget priorities
• With authority to commit the Department to a specific policy course of action, represents the Director before other state agencies, legislative bodies, governmental entities, 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 Department policies, programs, and objectives
• Serves as a member of the Director’s Executive Staff, providing advice and consultation on Department policies, programs, and operation
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 years of professional experience conducting program monitoring in the area of social work, child welfare, child care, or child protection
• 3 years of professional experience in the oversight of a large program with multiple sites
• 3 years of experience supervising professional staff of four (4) or more employees in the area of social work, child care, child welfare, or child protection
• 3 years of professional experience evaluating program and personnel performance in child welfare or child care
• 3 years of professional experience conducting quality review in child welfare or child care

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• 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: M-F 8:30am-17:00
Work Location: 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60616
Agency Contact: Niama Nash
Email: [email protected] (For questions only)

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.

Economic Interest Reporting:

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 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]