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ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF NURSING

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
Date:  Jul 22, 2026
Location: 

Chester, IL, US, 62233

Job Requisition ID:  57425

Job Requisition ID: 57425 

Opening Date: 07/27/2026
Closing Date: 08/07/2026
​Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015 
Skill Option: Special License - Registered Nurse License 
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary: $10,782 - $12,400 per month ($129,384 - $148,800 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Randolph
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Supervisory Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage

 

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

 

When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended. 

 

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 Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery is seeking to hire a licensed Registered Nurse to serve as Assistant Director of Nursing and to oversee and supervise professional and paraprofessional nursing staff in the care and treatment of psychiatric patients at the Chester Mental Health Center located in Chester, Illinois. The Chester Mental Health Center is designed to provide care and treatment for all adult males in the State of Illinois who require a greater degree of structure and security. Chester Mental Health Center strives to assist patients to achieve their full recovery potential and values culture, safety, recovery, efficiency and quality.

Essential Functions

  • Serves as Assistant Director of Nursing for the Chester Mental Health Center.
  • Serves as full-line supervisor.
  • Assists physicians with patient medical examination, testing, referrals and medical procedures at the general medicine clinic, including lifting and carrying moderate loads up to 50lbs and pushing an emergency cart up to 100 lbs.
  • Develops and coordinates nursing or health care functions, training and staffing to achieve facility goals and objectives. 
  • Monitors the Nursing Quality Improvement (QI) Plan to ensure it is utilized to assist in the evaluation of patient care. 
  • Reviews shift, injury and informational reports.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires licensure as Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.
  • Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in nursing.
  • Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible professional nursing experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Three (3) years of professional experience working in a psychiatric hospital, working with current diagnostic and treatment modalities for psychiatric patients. 
  • Three (3) years of professional supervisory experience assigning work, providing guidance to subordinates, recommending counseling and/or discipline following collective bargaining agreements, training staff, approving time off and preparing and signing performance evaluations.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience recommending and implementing nursing policies and procedures relative to the latest trends and nursing standards.
  • Three (3) years of professional experience recommending oversight of treatment plans, scheduling logistics/movement of patients within the hospital for admissions and discharges, communicating with internal and external stakeholders in oral and written form relative to the care and treatment of patients. 
  • Three (3) years of professional experience providing training to paraprofessional and professional nursing staff. 
  • Three (3) years of professional experience performing quality assurance assessments on nursing services and treatments provided to patients.

Conditions of Employment

  • Requires ability to serve on-call on a rotating basis, after business hours, weekends and holidays.
  • Requires ability to lift and carry moderate loads up to 50lbs and pushing an emergency cart up to 100 lbs. 
  • Requires the ability to physically restrain patients as necessary to prevent injury to patient or others. 
  • Requires the ability to obtain and maintain Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate. 
  • Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties. 
  • 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.
  • Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
  • Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.

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

Work Hours: Mon - Fri, 8:00am - 4:00pm; 30-minute unpaid lunch

Headquarter Location: 1315 Lehman Dr, Chester, Illinois, 62233

Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery

Chester Mental Health Center

Nursing Services

Work County: Randolph

Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov

Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Health Services; Social Services

 

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois.  Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives.  Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being of everyone in Illinois.  Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

 

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

  • A Pension Program
  • Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
  • 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
  • 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
  • 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
    • Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
  • 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
  • Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
  • 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
  • Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
  • Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
  • Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
  • GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
  • 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
  • Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

 

Statement of Economic Interest:

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.

 

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.

State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.

 

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:

 


Nearest Major Market: St Louis

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