LABOR CONCILIATOR - Cook County

Position Overview

The Labor Conciliator positions are located in Chicago, IL. As a Labor Conciliator, you will assist citizens in recovering unpaid wages as required by the various laws enforced by the Department. This unique opportunity offers an exceptional benefit package that includes health insurance, including eye care and dental, Deferred Compensation, life insurance, and retirement. If you are interested in helping your fellow citizens recoup the wages they are owed, are interested in helping achieve our mission, and possess the qualifications listed above, we invite you to apply for this position.

Essential Functions

• Independently investigates, reviews, and settles complaints and alleged violations of the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and the Employee Classification Act. 
• Prepares report of findings and recommendations related to investigations conducted under the Illinois Prevailing Wage Act, and the Employee Classification Act. 
• Investigates, researches, mediates and settles complaints and alleged violations of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN), whistleblower protections under the Environmental Protection Act and the Child Care Act, VESSA, PRRA and other IDOL Labor Laws and related statutes.
• Record/Enter investigation/case progress in case management tool log program. 
• Travels to represent the agency at various governmental, educational, business and workforce related meetings.
• 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, or equivalent work experience specifically in areas of workplace standards such as: monitoring compliance with public construction, occupational safety, or other workplace protection standards; ensuring adherence to wage and hour, leave, or equal pay regulations; overseeing other statutory labor requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of experience working with federal and/or state labor laws such as the Prevailing Wage Act.
• Two (2) years of experience conducting complaint investigations.
• Two (2) years of experience preparing comprehensive reports with recommendations.
• Intermediate proficiency in using Microsoft Excel and case management tools such as Microsoft SharePoint.
• Two (2) years of experience negotiating and mediating issues between parties.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to carry and use a state-issued phone and laptop.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. 
• 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. 
• 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.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• 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.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Agency Statement

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is one of Illinois' most important and dynamic Agencies. With an annual budget of $22.6 million and an authorized staff of more than 145 full-time employees, IDOL has the capacity and capability to provide administration and enforcement of over 25 labor and safety Laws. At IDOL, we take pride in our Agency's mission: to promote and protect the rights, wages, welfare, working conditions, safety, and health of Illinois workers, regardless of race, religion, ethnicity, color or sexual orientation through enforcement of state labor laws, and to safeguard the public through regulation of amusement rides and to ensure compliance with all other labor standards.