PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 62,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Illinois, through the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES), is seeking a Program Representative to provide unemployment insurance services, determine claims eligibility, and assist job seekers.

Ideal candidates have a four-year college degree in social/behavioral sciences or business, or equivalent state service experience; strong organizational and communication skills are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge of unemployment insurance programs and eligibility.
• Strong organizational and communication skills for client service.
• Ability to travel and work with various programs and partners.
• Familiarity with federal and state employment laws is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide unemployment insurance benefits services and eligibility determinations.
• Assist clients with employment services and program information.
• Review and process claims, both routine and complex, ensuring accuracy.
• Advise clients on work attitudes, job referrals, and career resources.
• Maintain activity reports and document time charging.
• Perform other duties within the scope of the job duties.

Skills

Unemployment Insurance knowledge

Education

Four-year college degree (social/behavioral sciences or business)

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

Opening Date: 10/01/2026

Closing Date: 10/16/2026

Agency: Department of Employment Security

Class Title: EMP SEC PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE (13650)

Skill Option: UMP Certificate

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated starting salary $5,127 monthly; Full range $5,127 - $7,135 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 2

Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office

Headquarter Location: 1700 W 18th St, Chicago, Illinois, 60608

Work County: Cook

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

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 Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as a Program Representative. Responsibilities include providing services related to unemployment insurance benefits, such as determining unemployment insurance claims eligibility, and providing employment services. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has a strong knowledge of federal and state laws pertaining to employment and Unemployment Insurance (UI) eligibility and is dedicated to ensuring UI benefit accuracy. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and have experience assisting clients in an employment service program, social service program or related area providing employment, human resource development or social welfare services. IDES offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of Illinois employers and job seekers.

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision, for an assigned area, serves as a Program Representative for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Performs functions related to receipt, review, entry, analysis and resolution of all types of routine, complex and special claims on benefit entitlement programs administered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES)
• Assists clients with various programs and services offered by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and partner agencies
• Adjudicates monetary and nonmonetary benefit claim issues, providing eligibility determinations for routine, initial or continued claims
• Advises clients on work attitudes, habits, relationships and attire as related to a specific job referral
• Establishes and maintains activity reports to demonstrate work activity and detail time charging
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skills and mental development equivalent to four (4) years of college with academic background in social/behavioral sciences or business; OR Requires two (2) years (3,000 work hours) of experience as a department intermittent staff member and a minimum of two (2) years college credits completed with passing grades in social/behavioral sciences or business;OR Requires four (4) years (6,000 work hours) as a department intermittent staff member

Qualifying state employees, in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this class.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires an Illinois State Police background check and self-disclosure of any criminal history
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate
• This position 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. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing, or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls
• 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
• 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

The Illinois Department of Employment Security's (IDES) mission is to serve Illinois workers and employers to the best of our ability and to use our knowledge of the Illinois workforce to inform sound policy decision making. IDES encourages economic growth and stability in Illinois by providing vital Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating actionable Labor Market Information, and administering Unemployment Insurance programs.

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 with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles . To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

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