ICN Operations Manager (Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt. 3)

State-of-Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Pension plan

Flexible work schedules

Paid vacation time

Paid holidays

Job summary

State of Illinois, Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) seeks an ICN Operations Manager to lead long-term network strategy for Illinois Century Network, ensuring secure, robust broadband services across ICN constituents. This role oversees policy development, budgeting, and vendor relations while supervising staff and guiding performance evaluations.

You will stay current on IT developments, manage escalations, and drive operational excellence within a collaborative state government

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge equivalent to four years of college in MIS/IT/CS/Engineering and progressive IT admin experience.
• Four years of administrative experience in a public or private IT organization are required.
• Three years of professional experience supervising IT staff in a large, complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Plan, design, and implement long-term ICN network strategies for a secure broadband network.
• Develop, implement, and manage ICN policies, procedures, and operations.
• Manage ICN budget and procurement processes, including MSAs and SOs.
• Serve as a full line supervisor and lead staff through evaluations and guidance.

Skills

Vendor management

Network engineering

Budget management

Team supervision

Strategic planning

Project management

Public sector experience

Education

Four years of college in MIS/IT/CS/Engineering

Tools

CCNA/CCDA certification

MS Project

ITIL

Excel

Job description

ICN Operations Manager (Senior Public Service Administrator, Opt. 3)

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

Job Requisition ID:59100
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/08/2026
Agency: Department of Innovation and Technology
Class Title:SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option:Management Information System/Data Processing/Telecommunications
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary: $12,500-$13,333 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:None
Merit Comp Code:Term Appointment, Managerial Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage
Work Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-5:00pm (work hours may vary)
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 555 W Monroe St, Chicago, Illinois, 60661
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

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.

Are you looking for a rewarding career with an organization that values their staff? The Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is seeking to hire qualified candidates with the opportunity to work in a dynamic, creative thinking, problem solving environment. This position serves as the ICN Operations Manager. In this role you will plan, design, and implement long-term network strategies to maintain a secure, robust, and reliable broadband network for Illinois Century Network (ICN) constituents. Additionally, you will develop, implement, and manage policies, procedures, and operational practices to maintain the delivery of high-quality, reliable, robust, and secure ICN network while adhering to DoIT and industry’s best practices. You will serve as a full line supervisor, including assigning and reviewing work, providing guidance, counselling staff, and preparing and signing performance evaluations. This role leads and directs the evolution and innovation of the ICN network. If you possess these knowledges, skills, abilities, and experience, we invite you to apply for this position to join the DoIT Team!

As a State of Illinois employee, you receive a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Competitive Group Insurance benefits including health, life, dental and vision plans.
• Flexible work schedules (when available and dependent upon position).
• 10 -25 days of paid vacation time annually (10 days for first year of state employment).
• 12 days of paid sick time annually which carryover year to year.
• 3 paid personal business days per year.
• 13-14 paid holidays per year dependent on election years.
• 12 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Pension plan through the State Employees Retirement System.
• Deferred Compensation Program – voluntary supplemental retirement plan.
• Optional pre-tax programs -Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP) & Dependent Care Assistant Plan (DCAP).
• Tuition Reimbursement Program and Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility.

• Subject to management approval, serves as the Illinois Century Network (ICN) Operations Manager for the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT), planning, designing, and implementing long-term network strategies to maintain a secure, robust, and reliable broadband network for ICN constituents, including reviewing and approving network designs, statements of work, technical specifications, and project plans developed by staff and vendors.
• Develops, implements, and manages policies, procedures, and operational practices to maintain the delivery of high-quality, reliable, robust, and secure ICN network while adhering to DoIT and industry best practices, including monitoring network outages, engaging resources to resolve outages, acting as point of escalations, and managing communications to customers.
• Develops, prepares, and manages the ICN Operation’s budget and procurement, including forecasting and cost analysis and overseeing and executing ICN Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Service Orders (SOs).
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Keeps abreast of new developments in the information technology field by continuing education through online training platforms, meetings, training sessions, seminars, and conferences to increase familiarity with and remain current on products, vendors, techniques, and procedures.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college with course work in management information systems, information technology, computer science, engineering, or a directly related Information Technology field.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or private business Information Technology organization.
• Requires three (3) years of professional experience supervising a team of Information Technology professionals in a large and highly complex public or private IT organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience managing vendor relationships, including evaluating vendor performance, negotiating technical requirements, and ensuring compliance with service level agreements (SLAs) or contractual obligations.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in telecommunications and network infrastructure, including the configuration, deployment, and support of network hardware/software, wide area network (WAN) design, and capacity planning to support scalable and resilient broadband services.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in advanced network engineering, including TCP/IP, dynamic routing protocol design and implementation (e.g., ISIS, OSPF, BGPv4, MP-BGP, and MBGP), IP Multicast architecture (e.g., MSDP, Anycast RP, and PIM-SM), Differentiated Services (DiffServ) Quality of Service (QoS), and integration of network diagnostic and management tools.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in provisioning and testing telecommunication circuits, including Telco circuit turn-up, Metro Ethernet, Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS), and fiber optic services and troubleshooting and validating service of delivery.
• Four (4) years of professional experience supervising technical or professional staff, including assigning and reviewing work, performance evaluation, training, and disciplinary action, fostering a collaborative and accountable team environment.
• Four (4) years of professional experience in strategic planning and project management, including the use of project management methodologies and tools (e.g., ITMS, ITIL, MS Project, and Excel) to lead complex network initiatives from inception through completion.
• Four (4) years of experience in budget management, including cost forecasting, cost recovery models, service pricing, and coordination of fiscal activities related to telecommunications services, contracts, and consortium operations.
• Four (4) years of professional experience preparing and delivering technical and strategic presentations, tailored to diverse audiences including executive leadership, technical teams, and external stakeholders, with a focus on clear communication of complex network concepts and project outcomes.
• Ability to analyze data logically and exercise sound judgement in defining and evaluating problems of an operational, procedural, or administrative nature.
• Certification(s) in one or more of the following: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA), Cisco Certified Design Associate (CCDA) (routing/switching) or Cisco Qualified Specialist certifications in areas such as, (Video, Voice over IP (VoIP), Security, Wireless, or Optical networking).

Conditions of Employment

NOTE: Applicants must possess the ability to meet ALL of the following conditions of employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position.

• Requires the ability to verify identity.
• Requires employment authorization to accept permanent full-time position with the State of Illinois.
• Requires the ability to pass a position specific, agency required background check and requires self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to use agency supplied equipment such as laptop, personal computer, work cell phone and any other required equipment or devices.
• Requires the ability to lift and carry objects or equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. This is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties.