Senior Policy Advisor (SPSA, Opt 6))
Chicago, IL, US, 60607
Job Requisition ID: 48834
Start date: 7/30/25
Closing Date: 08/13/2025
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTR - 40070
Skill Option: Health and Human Services
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary range $10,000; Full salary range $10,000 - $12,000/monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code
****************A RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****************
Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document that is not a Resume or CV.
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 is seeking a motivated professional to serve as a Senior Policy Advisor for Housing. This position will play a crucial role in addressing homelessness prevention and housing related issues in Illinois at the cross section between health and housing. With a deep understanding of the challenges faced by vulnerable populations, this position will help drive innovative policies and partnerships, strengthen the development and operations of housing services within Medicaid, and assist in developing pathways for sustainable funding. This position will also be affiliated with the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH) and will work with other state agencies to implement the Home Illinois Plan.
HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.
Employees receive a robust benefit package including:
- Monday-Friday work schedule
- Flexible Hybrid work schedules are available in many program areas.
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity 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
- Subject to management approval, serves as the Senior Policy Advisor for Housing for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) by serving as a policy-making official on the cross-section between health and housing, formulating and implementing program policy and procedures relative to ending and preventing homelessness with designated authority to bind the Department to specific courses of action
- Supports service delivery access within statewide housing programs and is affiliated with the Office to Prevent and End Homelessness (OPEH)
- Increases HFS participation in the Home Illinois Plan to Prevent & End Homelessness
- Serves as official spokesperson for the Department speaking and acting on behalf of the Director and the State of Illinois on all homelessness prevention and housing related issues with the Executive and Legislative staff of State and federal government in drafting proposals and/or amendments to existing status affecting Department programs
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in health and human services or related field
- Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a health or human services organization
Preferred Qualifications
- Prefers working knowledge of federal, State, and local affordable housing programs
- Prefers working knowledge of the structure of community-based human services system
- Prefers four (4) years of experience in the housing and support needs of persons with a range of disabilities and health conditions
- Prefers working knowledge of fair housing rights of persons with disabilities
- Prefers working knowledge of Employment First and related issues for persons with disabilities
- Prefers a master’s degree from an accredited institution in social work, law, public policy, urban development or a related field
Conditions of Employment
- Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
- Requires 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
- 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.
Work Location: 401 S Clinton St, Chicago, Illinois, 60607
Email: HFS.DPASApps@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management
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