Early Intervention Dispute Resolution Specialist (Public Service Administrator)

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval of the Early Intervention Clinical and Quality Manager, serves as the Early Intervention Dispute Resolution Specialist. 
• Serves as the primary statewide contact for family inquiries related to Early Intervention (EI) complaints, mediation, and due process.
• Analyzes dispute data to inform EI system improvement. 
• 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 the completion of four (4) years of college, with coursework in public administration, compliance, conflict analysis, program administration, or a related field.
•  Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible professional experience in dispute resolution, compliance, complaints management, program administration, or a related role.

Specialized Skills

• Requires three (3) years of professional experience communicating complex legal or procedural information clearly to families and non-technical audiences. 
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience with IDEA Part C, procedural safeguards for families, or formal dispute resolution processes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional experience communicating complex legal or procedural information clearly to families and non-technical audiences. 
• Three (3) years of professional experience with IDEA Part C, procedural safeguards for families, or formal dispute resolution processes.
• Three (3) years of professional experience coordinating with legal counsel or supporting formal hearings or investigations related to health and human services programs or special education.
• Two (2) years of professional experience handling sensitive or high-stakes information, such as written complaints, mediation, or due process hearings, with professionalism and discretion.
• Two (2) years of professional experience developing materials, guidance, or training related to rights or procedural safeguards.
• Two (2) years of professional experience analyzing data from complaint or case-tracking systems, identifying trends, preparing reports for leadership or oversight bodies, and applying findings to inform program or system improvement efforts.
• Master’s degree in public administration, social work, human services, special education, or a closely related field.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to successfully pass an agency criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
• Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check. 
• Requires the ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• 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 weekends.
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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 Early Childhood (IDEC) was created by law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC has been working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026. Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.