HEARING & SPEECH SPECIALIST

State-of-Illinois; Kankakee (IL); On-site; USD 76,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Shapiro Center in Kankakee, IL, seeks a Hearing & Speech Specialist to provide professional clinical services for testing, evaluation, and therapy of communication, swallowing, or hearing disorders on an assigned unit.

The role includes supervising staff, participating in an interdisciplinary team, conducting standardized assessments, and developing treatment plans; requires a master's degree, state license, and ISBE PEL endorsement.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an approved program.
• License to practice speech-language pathology or audiology from the Illinois DFPR.
• Valid, current Professional Educator License with endorsement as a speech-language pathologist (ISBE).

Responsibilities

• Provide professional clinical services for testing, evaluation and therapy of communication, swallowing and/or hearing disorders.
• Provide clinical supervision and guidance to staff.
• Participate as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Conduct standardized speech and language assessments to determine functioning in language, articulation, voice and related areas.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the listed responsibilities.

Skills

Clinical supervision

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Assessment skills

Education

Master’s degree in speech-language pathology or audiology

License to practice SLP or audiology (DFPR)

Professional Educator License with SLP endorsement (ISBE)

Job description

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

Job Requisition ID: 58936
Opening Date:09/25/2026
Closing Date:10/08/2026
Agency:Department of Human Services
Class Title:HEARING & SPEECH SPECIALIST (18233)
Skill Option:Speech Language Pathology
Bilingual Option:None
Salary:Anticipated Salary: $6,820 - $9,875 per month ($81,840 - $118,500 per year)
Job Type:Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies:1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: See below:

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 100 E Jeffery St, Kankakee, Illinois, 60901

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

While not required, a Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) is recommended. When applicable, titles that require specific coursework, professional license or certification will include a notation requesting the appropriate document(s) be uploaded in the Additional Documents section of your application. Failure to upload requested transcripts, license and/or proof of certification when specified may result in ineligibility. Please note that the Department of Human Services must verify proof of higher education for any degree earned (if applicable) regardless of vacancy title before any offer can be extended.

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.

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 Division of Developmental Disabilities is seeking to hire a Hearing & Speech Specialist for the Shapiro Center located in Kankakee, Illinois to provide professional clinical services to individuals regarding testing, evaluation and development of a regimen of treatment and therapy for the resolution of communication, swallowing and/or hearing disorders on an assigned unit. Provides direct speech, language and swallowing therapy; administers tests and interprets test results. Evaluates the nature and extent of impairments. Provides specialized instruction to develop and improve individual’s functional communication, hearing and/or swallowing skills. Counsels individuals in adjusting to the hearing and/or speech/language impairment.

Essential Functions

• On an assigned unit, provides professional clinical services to individuals regarding testing, evaluation and development of a regimen of treatment and therapy for the resolution of communication, swallowing and/or hearing disorders.
• Provides clinical supervision and guidance to mental health technicians and other staff.
• Participates as a member of an interdisciplinary team.
• Conducts standardized speech and language assessments to determine individual’s level of functioning in the areas of syntactic, semantic and pragmatic language ability, articulation, voice, fluency and need for alternative and augmentative communication devices upon admission of the individual.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires possession of a master’s degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an approved program.
• Requires a license to practice speech-language pathology or audiology from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (DFPR).
• Requires a valid, current Professional Educator License (PEL) with endorsement as a speech-language pathologist (either teaching or non-teaching) issued by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE).

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to work after business hours, weekends and holidays.
• Requires the ability to physically restrain individuals as necessary to prevent injury to individual or others.
• Requires the ability to utilize office equipment, including personal computers.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of job duties.
• Requires ability to pass the IDHS background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen for drugs prohibited from recreational use under Illinois Law.
• 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 Human Services uplifts individuals and communities across Illinois. Our mission is to respond to the needs of all people in Illinois so they can lead healthy, safe, and enriched lives. Our vision is the future we are shaping with dignity and the well-being for everyone in Illinois. Our values are the principles that guide us as we work to remove systemic barriers and create lasting opportunities with Compassion, Accessibility, Responsibility, and Equity.

As a State of Illinois employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 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)
  • Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill®Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions

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

Nearest Major Market: Kankakee
Nearest Secondary Market: Bradley