PROGRAM SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Job Requisition ID: 50104
Closing Date: 10/06/2025
​Agency: Department of Employment Security
Class Title: EMPLOYMENT SECURITY SPEC I - 13671
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary - $4,954 monthly; Full range $4,954 - $6,894 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

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 Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Program Support Specialist. Responsibilities include providing information and guidance concerning employment services and unemployment insurance (UI) programs, analyzing program effectiveness and compliance with regulations, resolving account discrepancies, and providing administrative support. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of employment services and UI programs and is dedicated to ensuring program improvement and compliance with agency policies and state and federal legislation. The ideal candidate for this position will have extensive experience working with employment services and UI programs to assist job seekers, employers, and UI claimants. IDES 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 Illinois employers and job seekers.

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision, serves as a Program Support Specialist for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Assists in collecting information from clients and employers related to Unemployment Insurance and Wagner-Peyser Programs, including but not limited to Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA), hire the Future (HTF), Re-entry Employment Service Program (RESP), Older Workers and Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)
• Utilizing the agency’s labor exchange and claimant benefit systems, including but not limited to Illinois Job Link (IJL), and the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS), reviews and researches employer and/or client accounts to resolve discrepancies and ensure details are recorded accurately
• Assists the Manager with various administrative duties related to the management of programs
• Using a personal computer and related software programs, including but not limited to Microsoft (MS) Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel and agency specific software, enters, reviews and processes job orders and Individual Employment Plans, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations
• Monitors ongoing agency and regional training programs designed to provide increased employability skills for clients to ensure that these programs fulfill both employer and client needs
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably with the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college with major courses in the social sciences; OR Requires four (4) years of work experience in program research evaluation or design with two (2) of the years at the professional level.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing, or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making. IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.

  Work Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Work Location: 1300 S 9th St, Springfield, Illinois, 62703
Agency Contact: Don Motley
Email: don.motley @illinois.gov
Posting Group: Social Services

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

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.

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]