Director of Safety (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

3d•$9,500 - $11,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Director of Safety. Subject to management approval, this position will plan, develop, implement, and manage, through subordinate administrators, all processes associated with the statewide operations in Health & Safety, Background Check Unit, Enforcement and License Administration. The ideal candidate will have experience in delivering programs and services that are focused on health and safety of children. IDEC offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois! 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 (12) paid sick days annually (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service) Employees earn (3) paid personal days (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 the Director of Safety for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). Serves as a full line supervisor. Directs the establishment, formulation, interpretation, and implementation that governs the background check unit. Develops quality assurance processes to ensure adequate review of safety processes and procedures. Represents the CQSO before other state agencies and governmental entities, private and public organizations, providers, and other community and professional groups to discuss issues and develop plans related to health and safety, and to explain and interpret IDEC policies, programs, and objectives. Plans, develops, and prepares the budget for area of oversight for the CQSO. 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 (4) years of college in safety management, or public or business administration. Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization. Requires four (4) years of professional experience conducting program monitoring in the area of risk management or compliance. Preferred Qualifications Three (3) years of experience supervising professional staff in a public or private organization. Three (3) years of professional experience evaluating program and personnel performance in a public or private organization. Three (3) years of professional experience in the development and implementation of policies and procedures. Three (3) years of professional experience in the development of strategies for the improvement of program services. Three (3) years of professional experience conducting community outreach as a representative of a public or private organization. Conditions of Employment Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police. Requires the ability to use agency-supplied equipment, such as a laptop, work cell phone, etc. Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license. 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.About the Agency:The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026. Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity. 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. Term Appointment:Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Early Childhood’s discretion. 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

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college in safety management, or public or business administration.
Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Requires four (4) years of professional experience conducting program monitoring in the area of risk management or compliance.
Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
Requires the ability to use agency-supplied equipment, such as a laptop, work cell phone, etc.
Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
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.
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.

Nice To Haves

Three (3) years of experience supervising professional staff in a public or private organization.
Three (3) years of professional experience evaluating program and personnel performance in a public or private organization.
Three (3) years of professional experience in the development and implementation of policies and procedures.
Three (3) years of professional experience in the development of strategies for the improvement of program services.
Three (3) years of professional experience conducting community outreach as a representative of a public or private organization.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Director of Safety for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
Serves as a full line supervisor.
Directs the establishment, formulation, interpretation, and implementation that governs the background check unit.
Develops quality assurance processes to ensure adequate review of safety processes and procedures.
Represents the CQSO before other state agencies and governmental entities, private and public organizations, providers, and other community and professional groups to discuss issues and develop plans related to health and safety, and to explain and interpret IDEC policies, programs, and objectives.
Plans, develops, and prepares the budget for area of oversight for the CQSO.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.