SENIOR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Senior Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program Specialist. Responsibilities include providing technical assistance, guidance and advice to agency staff regarding Unemployment Insurance (UI) program procedures and compliance measures, developing and presenting related training, monitoring to ensure program services are in compliance with federal and state standards, and collaborating with agency management to resolve compliance issues. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of unemployment insurance legislation, programs and service goals and is dedicated to ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations. The ideal candidate for this position will have extensive experience providing technical training and guidance regarding unemployment insurance (UI) claims, certification and adjudication for a large program with multiple work locations and performing detailed monitoring and analysis of UI programs to meet federal reporting requirements. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of Illinois employers and job seekers.

Essential Functions

• Under general direction, serves as a Senior Unemployment Insurance (UI) Program Specialist for an assigned region for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Provides assistance to regional agency management in organizing and developing guidelines and procedures to ensure effectiveness and quality of agency Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs
• Monitors to ensure program services are in compliance with federal and state standards and agency guidelines
• Develops, prepares and presents training modules, webinars, in person seminars and job aids related to Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs, including but not limited to continuing training for adjudication and claims
• Keeps abreast of changes to federal and state laws, rules and regulations related to Unemployment Insurance programs
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college with major courses in the social sciences and two (2) years of professional experience in program research, evaluation or design; OR
• Requires the equivalent to six (6) years of related work experience and four (4) years of progressively responsible professional experience in program research, evaluation or design

Specialized Skills

• Requires two (2) years of professional experience providing services to clients for unemployment insurance (UI) claims, certification and adjudication
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience working with financial systems and software related to unemployment insurance claims, certification and adjudication, including the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS) and GenTax
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of unemployment insurance (UI) policies, procedures and regulations regarding claims, certification and adjudication, including but not limited to federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits timeliness and quality requirements for nonmonetary determinations
• Requires one (1) year of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of federal unemployment insurance (UI) reporting requirements
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act and the Rules governing the Act

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Two (2) years of professional experience providing services to clients for unemployment insurance (UI) claims, certification and adjudication
• Two (2) years of professional experience working with financial systems and software related to unemployment insurance claims, certification and adjudication
• One (1) year of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of unemployment insurance (UI) policies, procedures and regulations regarding claims, certification and adjudication, including but not limited to federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits timeliness and quality requirements for nonmonetary determinations
• One (1) year of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of federal unemployment insurance (UI) reporting requirements
• Two (2) years of professional experience requiring extensive knowledge of state unemployment insurance (UI) legislation and related rules
• One (1) year of professional experience creating training materials and conducting training for an unemployment insurance (UI) program
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite products, including Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint

Conditions of Employment

• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• 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.
• 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.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Employment Security’s (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making. IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.