Legal and Guardianship Program Specialist

Position Overview

This position provides comprehensive support to the Office of State Guardian (OSG) and its Regional Offices through a wide range of legal, administrative, and programmatic duties. Responsibilities include preparing and e-filing court documents in accordance with Illinois Probate and guardianship laws, interacting with court clerks and public agencies, and assisting with estate and real estate matters. The role also involves coordinating statewide discharges, managing guardianship fees and ward funds, and supporting the Director of OSG with policy execution, legal tracking, and community outreach. Additionally, the position serves as a liaison for training and legislative efforts, facilitates internal and external collaboration, and supports ongoing program development and reporting.

Benefits Statement

As a State of Illinois employee, you are entitled to a robust benefits package that includes:

• Flexible work schedules in some program areas (flexible time and hybrid options)
• Health, life, vision and dental insurance
• 12 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan – vesting at 10 years for Tier II
• Full 20-year retirement awards free health insurance during retirement
• Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefits programs
• Paid state holidays 13-14 days annually
• 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, and vacation rates modified for 12-hour work schedules. (As applicable.)
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources
• For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Essential Funtions

• Provide direct assistance to the OSG Regional Offices: Preparing, filing, including e-filing, court notices, petitions, and pleadings with various Illinois State Courts.
• Under general direction, serves as a staff assistant to the Director of the Office of State Guardian (OSG): Tracks matters that require attention and approval of the Director of OSG, including contracts issued pursuant to procurement processes, administrative rules, litigation, and other legal matters.
• Provides coordination for the OSG Fiduciary and Director: organizes, plans, and develops an annual guardianship fee report for the Director.
• Supports OSG programmatic and legislative functions: planning, development, and execution of OSG policies.
• Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of those enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with coursework in business or public administration.
• Requires one 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 year of working experience with adult guardianship in Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers one year of working experience with adult guardianship in Illinois.
• Working knowledge of National standards of Guardianship and Ethical Principles.
• Prefers (1) year of experience coordinating efforts to obtain continuing education credits.
• Working knowledge of the fiduciary duties of a guardian, including estate administration.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience working as a paralegal or legal secretary, including conducting legal research using a legal research search engine, preparing and filing pleadings, preparing court notices, using e-filing systems, and interacting with the Illinois State Courts.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience with real estate transactions.
• Extensive knowledge of database entry, spreadsheets, and statistical reports.

Conditions of Employment

About the Agency