DEPUTY DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

Job Requisition ID: 57828
Opening Date: 08/10/2026
Closing Date: 08/24/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title:  SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070) 
Skill Option:  General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel  
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary: $140,000 - $160,000 / year
Job Type: Salaried
Category:  Full Time  
County: Statewide Posting - County to be determined after candidate selection
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  None
Merit Comp Code:  Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

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 Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Deputy Director of Legislative Affairs. Subject to management approval, this position will manage and direct the Office of Legislative Affairs and formulate policy affecting all activities within the agency dealing with the legislative process. The position will serve as the Director’s official representative when providing information or making personal contact with members of the General Assembly with regard to agency programs and legislative proposals. The position will supervise subordinate staff and will chair the legislative review committee within the Department to analyze and evaluate legislative proposals presented by the General Assembly. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who is detail oriented and focused on ensuring that proposed legislation is beneficial to the achievement of the Department’s goals, objectives, and mission. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have excellent organizational skills and strong leadership skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions:

• Serves as Deputy Director of the Office of Legislative Affairs
• Serves as the Director’s official representative when providing information or making personal contact with members of the General Assembly with regard to agency programs and legislative proposals, possessing significant authority to commit the Department to a specific course of action
• Serves as full line supervisor of subordinate staff
• Chairs the legislative review committee within the Department to analyze and evaluate all legislative proposals presented by the General Assembly, agency managers, or advisory councils
• Directs the analysis and evaluation of federal and state legislation affecting child welfare and other agency programs and services to ensure that all legislation is reviewed to determine possible impact on the Department
• Through members of the federal delegation from Illinois, the Illinois Office in Washington, and certain national advisory groups such as the American Public Welfare Association and Child Welfare League of America, monitors federal child welfare legislation
• Manages and directs special initiatives which require substantial reporting to the legislature and/or Governor’s Office
• 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 completion of four years of college. 
• Requires four years of progressively responsible administrative experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4 years of administrative experience managing or conducting a legislative program in a public or business organization
• 3 years of experience supervising professional staff in a public or business organization
• 3 years of professional experience reviewing proposed legislation to determine its potential impact on the policies of a public or business organization
• 3 years of professional experience conducting planning activities on statewide basis in a management capacity
• 3 years of professional experience conducting community outreach as a representative of a public or business organization.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires ability to pass a background check
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• 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 the job description.

About the Agency:

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

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

• A Pension Program
• 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)
  • Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time 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
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: 

​Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Headquarter Location: Statewide posting - Location to be determined after candidate selection
Work County: Statewide posting - County to be determined after candidate selection
Agency Contact: Samantha Haynes
Email: View email address on us.fitly.work
Phone #: View phone number on us.fitly.work
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

Exempt Position

This is an exempt position and is not subject to the standard hiring process. 

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.

Economic Interest 

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 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