Eligibility Policy Bureau Chief

Illinois Comptroller; Springfield, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 117,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Health benefits

Job summary

Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services seeks a Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Eligibility Policy. This senior role leads a team, oversees Medicaid/CHIP eligibility policy development, and collaborates across state agencies to ensure compliant program guidance.

Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in public health policy, leadership, and data analysis, with the ability to coordinate complex eligibility programs and engage with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Four-year college education required.
• Experience developing eligibility policies for means-tested programs.
• Experience managing teams of professionals.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and evaluate the operations of the Bureau of Eligibility Policy.
• Supervise staff and oversee policy development and implementation.
• Collaborate with other agencies and stakeholders to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements.
• Prepare and respond to inquiries from officials and the public.
• Travel as needed for duties and oversight.

Skills

Policy development

Team leadership

Stakeholder communication

Public service

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

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We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

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
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application.

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.

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 otherrelevant 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, andinterested public and private organizations
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumeratedabove
• 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 testedgovernment 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 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
• 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

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.

Benefits statement

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

• 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
• 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: