GUARDIANSHIP REPRESENTATIVE - PERSONAL AFFAIRS AND ADVOCACY

State of Illinois; Peoria (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Dental insurance

Paid parental leave

Pension plan

Deferred compensation

Paid sick days

Vacation days (10-25)

Personal days (3)

Paid state holidays (13-14)

Job summary

State of Illinois, Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, seeks a Guardianship Representative to manage caseloads for wards across multiple counties. You will conduct quarterly assessments, prepare public benefits applications, document case notes, and testify in court when required.

The role covers Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Peoria Counties, with a comprehensive benefits package and potential hybrid work arrangements.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four years of college with coursework in related social science field.
• Requires two years professional service in a social services area.
• Preferred experience with disability population and advocacy work.

Responsibilities

• Visits, assesses, and counsels wards at least quarterly and travels to conduct visits.
• Assists with preparing public benefits applications for wards.
• Prepares court documents and testifies in circuit court as needed.
• Maintains case records and documents all case management activities.

Skills

Social services experience

Microsoft Office

Database programs

Education

Four years college with coursework in related social science field

Four-year college degree in related social services

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Database programs

Job description

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GUARDIANSHIP REPRESETATINTE GTPERSON IN AFFAITS AND ADVICE

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

do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials

Job Requisition ID:59709
Opening Date: 10/22/2026
Closing Date: 11/06/2026
Agency: Guardianship and Advocacy Commission
Class Title:GUARDIANSHIP REPRESENTATIVE - 17710
Skill Option:None
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $5,834 monthly; Full Range $5,834 - $8,307 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 401 Main St, Peoria, Illinois, 61602
Work County: Peoria
Agency Contact: Colleen.Loehr @ illinois.gov

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Position Overview:

In this role, the guardianship representative from the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Office of State Guardian, plays a vital role in managing a caseload of court-referred wards, including developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and aged adults. This position involves conducting quarterly assessments to identify the care needs of each ward and developing tailored solutions to support their well-being. The representative prepares and submits public benefits applications, maintains accurate case records, and documents all case management activities. Additionally, the representative is responsible for preparing court documents and reports, as well as appearing in circuit court to testify on behalf of the Commission during probate or mental health proceedings, ensuring that the interests and rights of the wards are effectively represented and upheld. This position covers Adams, Brown, Cass, Fulton, Hancock, Mason, McDonough, Schuyler and Peoria Counties.

Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission offers a robust benefit package including:

• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• Paid Parental leave
• Pension Plan
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn (12) paid sick days annually
• (10-25) paid vacation days (based on years of service)
• Employees earn (3) paid personal days (pro-rated based on start date)
• (13-14) paid state holidays annually

Work hours and schedule will be mutually agreed upon by supervisor during the onboarding process.

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.

Essential Functions

• Serves as a representative from the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission, Office of State Guardian.
• Visits, assesses, and counsels wards at scheduled intervals (at least quarterly) and travels to conduct visits.
• Assists with the preparation of public benefits applications for wards.
• Makes decisions on behalf of the ward regarding significant life matters, including healthcare, programming and residential placement, in consultation with and under the guidance of the supervisor to ensure approach and compliant decision making.
• 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 competition of four (4) years of college with coursework in related social science field.
• Requires two (2) years professional service in a social services area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of direct experience working with a disability population in a professional, volunteer, and/or personal capacity.
• P refers a 4-year college degree in related social services, human services, or a related field.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience in performing fieldwork.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience with advocacy work.
• Prefers one (1) year of experience with applying for and/or managing public benefits for persons with disabilities in a professional, volunteer, and/or personal capacity.
• Prefers intermediate knowledge of computers including use of Microsoft Office Suite and database programs for ease and ability to take case notes and other relevant communications via computer.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of federal and state laws and procedures relating to persons with disabilities.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires valid driver’s license and ability to travel.
• 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.
• Must successfully complete the National Guardianship Foundation Course and exam and receive certification within 12 months of employment.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• 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

Created in 1979, the Illinois Guardianship and Advocacy Commission protects the rights and promotes the welfare of persons with disabilities. A board of 11 commissioners, who serve without compensation, govern the agency. The Commission is an executive state agency created to safeguard the rights of persons with disabilities. By providing legal representation, investigating complaints of rights violations, and providing state guardianship for Illinois’ population with disabilities, the Commission has given a voice to those who have previously gone unheard.

This position [DOES NOT] contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).