PROGRAM MANAGEMENT SECTION CHIEF - (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

Job Requisition ID: 58690 IPR#26-01451
Opening Date: 09/15/2026
Closing Date: 09/29/2026
Agency: Department of Transportation
Class Title:  SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 
Skill Option:  General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel  
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $10,000 -$12,000 monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time  
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code: Term Appointment
Work Hours: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Monday - Friday
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs
Headquarter Location: 2300 S Dirksen Pkwy, Springfield, Illinois, 62764
Work County: Sangamon

Work Office: Office of of Planning & Programming, Bureau of Programming
Agency Contact: View email address on us.fitly.work 

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

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 Transportation seeks to hire a Senior Public Service Administrator to serve as the Program Management Section Chief. The successful candidate will plan, develop, organize, control and manage the department’s annual highway improvement program. The incumbent will draft the department’s annual highway construction budget appropriations, by district. This position also manages the bond release requests to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB) for projects funded by bond program initiatives.

Essential Functions

• Subject to administrative approval, serves as the Section Chief of Program Management for the Illinois Department of Transportation, providing strategic leadership and direction for the development, organization, and management of the State of Illinois’ annual highway improvement program. Oversees the statewide project programming process, ensuring proposed projects align with federal and state requirements, agency priorities, asset-management strategies, and available funding.
• Provides comprehensive oversight, management, and reporting of the implementation of the annual highway program, ensuring that planned projects advance according to approved schedules, budgets, and program objectives.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Manages the preparation, review, and submission of bond release requests to the Governor’s Office of Management and Budget (GOMB).
• Represents the Office of Program Planning (OPP) on a wide array of departmental meetings and/or committees.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope for the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with courses in business, finance, management, economics, statistics, or accounting.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in the practice of highway planning and programming which includes budgetary planning, accounting, and managing a fiscally constrained program in compliance with federal and state regulations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) years of experience working with federal and state transportation regulations, funding programs, performance-based planning requirements, and project eligibility criteria.
• Prefers three (3) years of supervisory or managerial experience directing staff or leading multidisciplinary teams.
• Prefers intermediate skill in utilizing Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Excel.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience with demonstrated ability coordinating with multiple internal units, district offices, and technical bureaus to review project data, cost estimates, funding levels, and program constraints to ensure projects are programmed accurately and in compliance with federal and state mandates
• Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, to explain technical and budgetary information to various audiences.
• Strong oral and written communication skills to effectively present program decisions, funding strategies, and technical information to leadership and stakeholders with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• 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 IDOT team works diligently to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity and protect our environment. We are problem solvers and leaders, constantly searching for innovations and improvements in support of our commitment to providing the best multimodal transportation system for Illinois. Our team fosters a culture of inclusivity. We value diversity and hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards as we work together for a common purpose. Team members frequently collaborate with colleagues and others outside the department to best meet customer needs. 

The department offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities. Employees also receive a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules in several program areas (flexible time, hybrid scheduling)
• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• (12) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
• 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)
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program and/or mental health resources

We invite qualified applicants to apply to become part of our team. We are confident that you will take pride in serving Illinois and its residents and visitors.

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.

Term Appointment:
Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Transportation’s discretion.

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:

• View email address on us.fitly.work
• View email address on us.fitly.work