Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition

Job Requisition ID: 58045
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 08/24/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title:  SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 
Skill Option:  General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel  
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $9,500 - $11,000 per month ($114,000 - $132,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time  
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code:  Term Appointment/ Agency

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.

Position Overview:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking an Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition. This position will be responsible for establishing and revising Early Childhood Transition program priorities, work plans, and policies and procedures to meet operating standards consistent with state and federal requirements. The employee in this position will serve as a full-line supervisor and will oversee the development of IDEC guidance and best practices for early learning settings serving children with disabilities and developmental delays. If you are interested in this unique opportunity to join a dedicated team of early childhood professionals, we invite you to apply for the Associate Director of

Early Childhood Transition with IDEC!

Illinois Department of Early Childhood offers a robust benefit package including:

• Monday-Friday schedule
• 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

• Subject to management approval, serves as the Associate Director of Early Childhood Transition for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).
• Serves as primary program liaison to the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on ECSE policy, practice, and coordination.
• Serves as full-line supervisor for Early Childhood Transition Unit staff.
• Supervises the development of IDEC guidance and best practices for early learning settings serving children with disabilities and developmental delays, in coordination with ISBE.
• 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 completion of four (4) years of college, with coursework in education, special education, early childhood education, public administration, or a related field.
• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization with an emphasis on special education, early childhood education, disability services, or a related field.

Preferred Qualifications

• Four (4) years of professional experience working for a school district, including experience with IEP development and implementation and evidence-based practices for ECSE, or at the state or regional level in education or early childhood systems.
• Three (3) years of professional experience with IDEA Part B requirements and IEP processes.
• Two (2) years of professional experience supporting children with disabilities and their families through transitions between community-based early education and public-school systems.
• Two (2) years of professional experience coordinating across agencies or systems in a large public or private organization.
• Two (2) years of professional experience as a supervisor or manager, including staff oversight and performance management.
• Two (2) years of professional experience developing guidance or policy materials related to special education, early childhood education, or other related topics, including developing or implementing standardized procedures across multiple school districts or regions.
• Master’s degree in special education, educational leadership, early childhood education, public policy, public administration, or a closely related field.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to successfully pass an agency criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.
• Requires the ability to successfully pass a Child Abuse and Neglect Tracking System (CANTS) background check.
• Requires the ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary equipment as required.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• 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
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• 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 thejob description.

About the Agency:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is the state’s first standalone agency dedicated exclusively to advancing equitable access to high-quality early childhood programs and services for young children, their families, and the professionals who support them. Established in 2024 and operational as of July 1, 2026, IDEC brings together early childhood programs and services previously administered by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) into one unified agency.

IDEC works to make Illinois’ early childhood system simpler, fairer, and more accessible by improving access to services, strengthening program quality, supporting the early childhood workforce, and streamlining the experience for families, providers, and communities. Through collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence, IDEC is building a stronger early childhood system that helps every child thrive and every family succeed.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Work County: Cook

Email: View email address on us.fitly.work  

Posting Group: Leadership & Management; Education; Social Services

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

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 Early Childhood’s discretion.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in using the “View Profile” link at the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid .

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

State employees should include temporary assignment in the application profile. Temporary assignment verification forms can be uploaded to the Additional Documents section.

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