Reentry Project Director (SPSA, Opt 1)
Chicago, IL, US, 60607
Job Requisition ID: 52527
Closing Date: 01/22/2026
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary $9174/monthly; Full salary range $9174 - $11,174/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment/ Agency
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.
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 Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking to hire a Reentry Project Director who will plan, develop, and manage work related to reentry efforts at HFS and the State of Illinois. The Project Director will oversee the deliverables and work of the federal CMS reentry planning grant. The Consolidated Appropriations Act (CAA) of 2023 (Section 5121) and the Illinois Healthcare Transformation 1115 waiver reentry work seeks to provide supports to individuals exiting incarceration in Illinois. The Reentry Project Director will oversee this work, serving as the primary lead and spokesperson for the Department’s reentry services implementation. The ideal candidate must have knowledge of/familiarity with the numerous federal and state regulations regarding the provision of Medicaid and managed care services to Illinois customers. The candidate must demonstrate understanding of carceral systems and processes, and the needs of the population to be served. The candidate must have the ability to facilitate communications among agency personnel allocated to the project, sister state agency personnel working on reentry efforts, and community stakeholders; to direct and review activities, policies, procedures, and reports to determine immediate and long-range consequences relating to the reentry services implementation, and to communicate with the Federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and HFS administration regarding all requirements of the planning grant associated with Section 5121 implementation.
The ideal candidate will be highly organized, self-motivated and be able to work independently. In addition, the candidate will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, the capacity to work with and motivate people of all backgrounds and educational levels, and the ability to think analytically and execute effective problem-solving skills.
HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.
Employees receive a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
- Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
- New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
- Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
- (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!
At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.
HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.
Essential Functions
- Serving as the Reentry Project Director for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), plans, develops, and manages reentry program efforts at HFS and the State of Illinois which provides services for members existing incarceration
- Collaborates with and advises Managed Care Organizations (MCOs), Healthcare Transformation Collaboratives (HTCs) and other state agencies in serving members recently exiting incarceration and developing care coordination capacity to work on behalf of members
- Researches and analyzes reentry population status and needs among carceral facilities and incarcerated or recently released Medicaid beneficiaries to identify gaps in services and develop resource networks
- Directs efforts and identifies efficiencies to support individuals exiting incarceration
- 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, preferably with courses in business or public administration
- Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, preferably in creating and growing a reentry and/or Medicaid program and maximizing key performance indicators
- Requires one (1) year of experience working for or with a carceral facility(ies) located in Illinois
Preferred Qualifications
- Four (4) years of professional experience developing and managing a Reentry, Managed Care or similar Human Services program
- Four (4) years of professional experience analyzing and utilizing data and financial reports to make decisions and solve problems
- Four (4) years of professional experience developing and overseeing policies and procedures for a Medicaid Program and/ or four (4) years of professional experience ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, rules and regulations for a Medicaid Program or Managed Care services
- Four (4) years of professional experience implementing Medicaid and Medicare Federal and State Administrative Codes, relating to long-term care transition process and Medicaid waiver programs
- Working knowledge of numerous programs operating within a government health and human services organization preferably within a state or federal government entity
- Two (2) years of professional experience representing an organization to both internal and external stakeholders
Conditions of Employment
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
- Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a 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
- 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
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Headquarter Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Work County: Cook
Email: HFS.DPASApps@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
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 Healthcare and Family Services’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
Nearest Major Market: Chicago