IDVA-CENTRAL OFFICE SENIOR POLICY ADVISOR-SPSA

Position Overview:

This role serves as Senior Policy Advisor, leading the development, implementation, and oversight of statewide policies, programs, and strategic initiatives. You’ll partner closely with executive leadership, legislators, and stakeholders to guide organizational direction, ensure compliance with laws and regulations, and strengthen overall operations. The position also represents the agency in high-level engagements and drives special projects that advance services and innovation. This role plays a key part in improving outcomes and expanding the impact of services for veterans across Illinois. We encourage all who are interested to apply!

Essential Functions:

• Subject to management approval, serves as Senior Policy Advisor for the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA).
• Provides major administrative input into planning for future Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) initiatives, direction, goals, and objectives for Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) operations.
• Serves as a member of Department of Veterans Affairs Executive Staff.
• Represents the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) Chief of Staff, Director, Deputy Chief of Staff and senior management staff to all internal and external entities, client agencies, boards and commissions served by Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs, the Governor's Office, public and private and federal officials regarding Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) policies/issues.
• Plans, develops, and directs special programs/projects as determined necessary by the Director.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably with the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years college with courses in business administration.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prefers thorough knowledge of public and business administration, principles, and practices.
• Prefers thorough knowledge of programs and service objectives, activities, and operational systems.
• Prefers four (4) years' professional experience developing, installing, and evaluating new and revised methods, procedures, and performance standards.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of policies and procedures.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires ability to speak at public engagements.
• Requires ability to pass a background check.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• 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.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be required to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.
• 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 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 Veterans Affairs is a state agency designed to empower veterans and their families to thrive. We do this by assisting them in navigating the system of federal, state, and local resources and benefits, providing long-term health care for eligible veterans in our Veterans’ Homes and partnering with other agencies and non-profits to help veterans address education, mental health, housing, employment, and other challenges. A career with the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs provides a rewarding and challenging opportunity for individuals. Working together, we create partnerships and experiences that engage and inspire our fellow co-workers and the veterans and their family members that we serve every day.

Benefit Package:

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs offers a robust benefit package including:

• Flexible work schedules in many program areas (where applicable)
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave.
• Pension Plan.
• Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs.
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually.
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service.
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date.
• Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually.