COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST
Springfield, IL, US, 62762
Job Requisition ID: 50980
Opening Date: 11/25/2025
Closing Date: 12/10/2025
Agency: Department of Human Services
Class Title: EXECUTIVE II - 13852
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Salary $6,589-$9,541/month ($79,068-$114,492/year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended. When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
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 Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) is the state’s lead division serving people with disabilities committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and racial justice. The mission of the Division is to assist individuals in achieving their goals of employment, education, and independent living. The Communication Specialist will serve as the Division point of contact for media, legislative, customer and public inquiries and other public relations matters. This position will work with all areas of the Division to develop new and effective strategies for public relations through positive, proactive communication and will foster relationships with staff, community providers and advisory boards. The Division of Rehabilitation Services is seeking to hire a creative and dynamic Communications Specialist to develop effective strategies for community engagement and public relations through positive, proactive communication.
Essential Functions
- Serves as the statewide Communication Specialist for the Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) and works with all areas of the Division to develop effective strategies for public relations through positive, proactive communication.
- Fosters relationships with staff, community providers, advocates, and advisory boards.
- Presents information to a variety of audiences regarding DRS programming and service outcomes in various accessible formats.
- Works with the training unit in the development of curriculum and training related to positive communication skills.
- Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of 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 two (2) years of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
Specialized Skills
- Of the two (2) years of experience, requires two (2) years’ experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
Preferred Qualifications
- Two (2) years of experience working in communications, marketing, and/or public relations in a public or private organization including developing communication strategies and content, managing social media content and marketing, and managing stakeholder and media communication strategies that engage diverse communities and increase awareness and visibility of services.
- Three (3) years of professional experience in researching, ensuring understanding and using critical thinking to efficiently and accurately respond to complaints, inquiries, and/or issues.
- Three (3) years of professional experience analyzing the impact of marketing materials, communication efforts and outcomes, customer complaints and outcomes, and trends/concerns and making recommendations for training and policy, procedure and/or rule changes.
- Two (2) years of professional experience collaborating on the creation of promotional materials and development of websites, newsletters, social medial information, etc., as well as creating new options for dissemination of information.
- Two (2) years of professional experience as a representative of a public or private agency planning, presenting and/or interpreting program information for the general public and/or internal/external entities.
- Two (2) years of professional experience interacting with and communicating clearly and tactfully (orally and in writing) with a wide range of individuals that may include employees, agency staff, state agency officials, legislators, employers, community service providers, customers, public, and internal and external stakeholders.
Conditions of Employment
- Requires ability to travel.
*All conditions of employment listed are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.
Work Hours: Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm, 1 hour unpaid lunch.
Work Location: 100 South Grand Ave E, Springfield, Illinois, 62762
Division of Rehabilitation Services
Chief of Staff
Agency Contact: DHS.HiringUnit@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Social Services
About the Agency:
The Illinois Department of Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.
As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:
- A Pension Program
- Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
- 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
- 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
- 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
- Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
- 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
- Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
- 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
- Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
- Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
- Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
- GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
- 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
- Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)
For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html
This position DOES contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.
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: Springfield