Eligibility Policy Bureau Chief

State of Illinois; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension Plan

Paid Holidays

Job summary

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services seeks a dynamic, organized senior administrator to lead the Bureau of Eligibility Policy. This role oversees policy development, ensures alignment with federal and state requirements, and collaborates with other agencies and stakeholders to support health benefits eligibility for Illinois residents.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience in Medicaid/CHIP policy, strong leadership skills, and the ability to engage regulators and public

Qualifications

• Minimum four years of college education.
• Four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.
• Experience developing policies for means-tested government health programs is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and evaluate bureau operations for medical eligibility.
• Supervise staff and coordinate policy development with agencies.
• Ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines and respond to inquiries.

Skills

General Administration

Business Marketing

Labor

Personnel

Education

Four years college

Job description

Job Requisition ID: 59364

Opening Date: 10/05/2026

Closing Date: 10/20/2026

Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services

BPIS: 11610

Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)

Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary $10,500-$12,500 monthly based on experience

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: None

Merit Comp Code: Federally Funded, Gubernatorial (Management Bill) Exclusion from Collective Bargaining Coverage

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: It is required that a person reports to the headquarters on this job position as necessary (could be weekly, monthly, or other schedule) dependent on operational need

Headquarter Location: 201 S Grand Ave E, Springfield, Illinois, 62704

Work County: Sangamon

Sangamon or Cook - location determined after candidate selection

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 Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) is seeking to hire a dynamic, organized, detailed-oriented individual to serve as the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Eligibility Policy.

As Chief of the Bureau of Eligibility Policy you will work with a dedicated team of colleagues in HFS and in other state agencies to improve the lives of Illinoisans by assuring that HFS programs provide health benefits coverage to eligible Illinoisans consistent with state and federal eligibility policy requirements.

The ideal candidate will have experience analyzing and implementing federal Medicaid, Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and State medical program eligibility policies, laws, regulations. This is a high-level management and advisory position with significant responsibility. The nature of the work is very collaborative and requires establishing good working relationships within HFS as well as with other state agencies, and public stakeholders. We invite all qualified applicants to apply.

The work location for this role will be either Sangamon or Cook County - location will be determined after candidate selection.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Essential Functions

• Subject to management approval, serves as the Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Eligibility Policy by planning, directing, and evaluating the operations and activities of bureau for the Division of Medical Eligibility
• Serves as full line supervisor
• Manages and monitors coordination of medical eligibility policy development and implementation with other relevant Healthcare and Family Services (HFS) and sister agency initiatives and programs
• Reviews programmatic and operational functions to ensure compliance with state and federal guidelines
• Confers with Department management, private and public organizations, state and federal government agencies, and other community partners that inform, support, and provide oversight of medical eligibility programs
• Supports Department responses to inquiries from Advisory Committee members, legislators, the media, and interested public and private organizations
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• This position requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college
• This position requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of professional experience developing policies for determining eligibility for means tested government sponsored health benefits programs
• Five (5) or more years of experience managing a team of five (5) or more professional staff
• Four (4) or more years of professional experience interpreting complex federal and state laws and regulations related to means tested government sponsored health benefits programs
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in developing management techniques to motivate and engage staff
• Three (3) or more years of professional experience communicating effectively, both verbally and in writing, with internal and external stakeholders, including presenting to federal regulators and state or federal auditors
• Three (3) or more years of professional experience drafting position papers, decision memos, reports, etc
• Three (3) or more years of professional experience responding to inquiries from elected officials, their staff, media, advocates, and other stakeholders
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience working with large data sets and creating and maintaining complex Excel spreadsheets

Conditions of employment

• Requires the completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop, cell phone, etc
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• 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
  • The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description
• 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

About The Agency

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), we value staff as our greatest asset. We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Employees Receive a Robust Benefit Package Including

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
• Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
• New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
• Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
• (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date).

Revolving door: 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.

Statement of Economic Interest: 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 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.

• [e-mail]
• [e-mail]