Workforce Development Special Populations Program Manager

Position Overview

The Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is looking to hire a Workforce Development Special Populations Program Manager. The Workforce Development Special Populations Program Manager is responsible for the development, planning and implementation of workforce development programs to support targeted populations such as low-income workers, persons with disabilities, veterans, previously incarcerated, disadvantaged youth, and other residents in under-served communities throughout Illinois. The Program Manager works under the general direction of DCEO’s Office of Employment and Training (OET) management team to research policies and organize information to support the development and implementation of programs that will benefit the targeted populations in Illinois. The ideal candidate will be able to develop program requirements, author funding applications, oversee the development of grants, provide technical assistance, and evaluate program outcomes. The ideal candidate will also able be able to work with the OET management team to identify and operationalize best practices in serving target populations using formula and nonformula workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and other funding sources. We welcome interested applicants who can be a part of a leadership team that strives to build a strong workforce in every Illinois community to apply.

Essential Functions

• Develops, recommends, organizes, and implements programs for special populations.  
• Develops and recommends strategies to enhance and expand services to statewide workforce programs that serve special populations.  
• Serves as working supervisor.
• Conducts research, development, and maintenance of grants, including drafting scopes of work, preparing budgets, and reviewing grant activity and expenditures.  
• Serves as the coordinator on policy and program issues that impact special populations including the provision of Rapid Response and Trade services. 
• 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 or closely related fields of study.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization or the design and management of a workforce or human services grant program.
• Requires the ability to understand, speak and write Spanish and English fluently.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least four (4) years of progressive experience developing program policies, procedures, and funding application documents to support grant programs.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of experience developing and delivering public presentations in a variety of settings.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of experience conducting quality control analysis of projects and grants to ensure that all requirements of the grant partnership agreements are being met.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of experience utilizing Microsoft Office Suite and web-based information management tools.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of progressively responsible work experience in applying the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Trade Act.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of administrative work experience with the administrative requirements of State of Illinois grants and the Grant Accountability and Transparency Act.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability utilize the Spanish language in the performance of all duties.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• 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 weekend.
• 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 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.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.