LABOR EXCHANGE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Labor Exchange Subject Matter Expert (SME). Responsibilities include providing advanced technical expertise and guidance regarding the statewide labor exchange system to internal and external system users and key stakeholders, serving as an agency liaison for system related initiatives, conducting structured technical training, identifying and resolving system issues, and developing and directing testing for system fixes and enhancements. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has professional experience providing advanced functional, technical support and training for a complex system used to administer employment programs or similar social welfare programs and is dedicated to monitoring and analyzing system issues and implementing resolutions to meet performance requirements and quality standards. The ideal candidate for this position will have extensive professional experience providing functional support for the Illinois JobLink (IJL) system or a comparable statewide, public-facing labor exchange or workforce system, including but not limited to experience assisting system users and user support staff, reviewing accounts, identifying system-related issues, and supporting system use in accordance with federal and/or state program 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 Labor Exchange Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Confers with the Manager and relevant agency staff to select, organize, develop and deliver curriculum content and establish a sequence of learning objectives
• Serves as a subject matter expert (SME) for the statewide labor exchange system
• Serves as working supervisor
• Coordinates and directs user acceptance testing (UAT) for new system features, releases, fixes and enhancements to the statewide labor exchange system
• Serves as a liaison for labor exchange system initiatives
• Keeps abreast of any changes affecting the Illinois Labor Exchange System, including but not limited to changes to laws, rules, regulations, policies and technology, and best practices in training strategies and methodology
• 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
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization

Specialized Skills

• Two (2) years of professional experience providing functional support for the Illinois JobLink (IJL) system, including but not limited to assisting users, reviewing accounts, identifying system-related issues, and supporting system use in accordance with program requirements
• Two (2) years of professional experience providing advanced functional or technical support for a complex system, including analyzing recurring system issues, coordinating resolutions and supporting system enhancements or changes
• One (1) year of experience developing and delivering structured training, including creating clear training materials and conducting sessions via virtual platforms, including but not limited to Webex or Microsoft Teams
• One (1) year of experience developing and/or reviewing user acceptance test plans and documenting business requirements

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) years of professional experience providing functional support for the Illinois JobLink (IJL) system, or a comparable statewide, public-facing labor exchange or workforce system, including but not limited to assisting users, reviewing accounts, identifying system-related issues, and supporting system use in accordance with program requirements
• Two (2) years of professional experience providing advanced functional or technical support for a complex system, including analyzing recurring system issues, coordinating resolutions and supporting system enhancements or changes
• One (1) year of experience developing and delivering structured training, including creating clear training materials and conducting sessions via virtual platforms, including but not limited to Webex or Microsoft Teams
• One (1) year of experience developing and/or reviewing user acceptance test plans and documenting business requirements
• One (1) year of professional experience supporting or administering a labor exchange, workforce development, unemployment insurance or other public benefits or employment system

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 sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing.
• 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.
• 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.