Career Services Specialist - Downstate

Position Overview

The Career Services Specialist position is in the Office of Illinois Works and the Career Services Team. It actively works with pre-apprenticeship graduates located throughout the state of Illinois. This position collects career data from graduates and does career planning to support their goals. At the same time, the position works with employers, apprenticeship programs, and other stakeholders in construction to find job and sponsorship opportunities for graduates. This position also interfaces with other Illinois Works programs and grantees to coordinate the delivery of career services for graduates. The Office of Illinois Works is a new bureau focused on bringing equity and inclusion and creating a viable and sustainable workforce pipeline in the construction industry and the trades. We welcome interested and qualified candidates wanting to be part of an innovative program focused on making a difference in the lives of Illinois residents to apply. You will be an integral part of a team focused on helping women, minorities, and veterans achieve their career dreams in the construction industry and the trades. We welcome all to apply!

Essential Functions

• Develops career plans and delivers complex career services to Illinois Works program graduates, applying professional judgement and knowledge of apprenticeship programs and their requirements.
• Receives, reviews and analyzes, and processes contractor job orders and ensures that contractors receive lists of graduates who are ready and available to fill the offered positions.
• Designs and delivers technical assistance, training, and presentations to contractors, DOL-registered apprenticeship programs, and other construction stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires the knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with coursework in business or public administration.
• Requires one (1) year of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, or completion of an agency approved professional management training program.

Specialized Skills

• Requires one (1) year of experience in job development working with employers preferably with contractors in the construction industry.
• Requires one (1) year of experience working with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs preferably in the construction sector.
• Requires one (1) year of experience working with students in enrollment/recruitment, supportive services, student support services, transition services, or counseling.
• Requires one (1) year of experience in career counseling, careers services, or career planning.
• Requires one (1) year of experience collecting and managing data along with creating customized reports based on specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one (1) year of experience in job development working with employers preferably with contractors in the construction industry.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience working with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs preferably in the construction sector.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience working with students in enrollment/recruitment, supportive services, student support services, transition services, or counseling.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience in career counseling, careers services, or career planning.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience collecting and managing data along with creating customized reports based on specific requirements.
• Prefers basic level experience in Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint, preferably with experience in career planning systems.

Conditions of Employment

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

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.