Program Specialist I (Program Specialist I #558)

Position: Program Specialist I (Program Specialist I #558)

Inventory#: 558

Location: Springfield or Chicago

Union: AFSCME

Department: Special Education

Starting Salary: $3,205.92

Full Salary Range: $38,471 - $63,050

Office Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Posted Date: November 19, 2025

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

​​​​Reporting to the Supervisor, is responsible for clerical functions in the department. Provides support to staff responsible for the administration of the focused monitoring system; serves as the back-up receptionist. ​

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Performs administrative support services and functions to assist Principal Consultants responsible for differentiated monitoring and support programs, including preparing and maintaining adequate materials; assisting with correspondence including data entry, printing and mailing letters to the appropriate parties; maintaining a filing system; and maintaining and completing Management Information Database Accounting System (MIDAS) functions associated with these programs.
• Serves as the back-up general receptionist providing non-technical information and assistance in person and by telephone to parents, school district personnel, other agencies and the general public.
• Answers and directs incoming calls to appropriate staff, takes messages and refers calls or requests to others.
• Performs administrative support services and functions to assist staff in other division program areas as needed (i.e., contracts/grants, heat tickets, itineraries, etc.) including data entry, printing and mailing letters, maintaining files, etc.
• Performs back-up administrative support including timekeeping, and functions to assist Principal Consultants responsible for the administration of the Educational Surrogate Parent Programs, including preparing and maintaining adequate materials, assisting with correspondence including printing and mailing letters to the appropriate parties, and maintaining the filing system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.​​​

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of secretarial or programmatic experience in an office setting involving typing, filing, and computer work.
• Experience using a multi-line phone system.
• Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Working knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word.
• Excellent telephone and communication skills.
• Ability to understand the nature of verbal requests and direct the caller to the appropriate resource.
• Ability to maintain a calm demeanor when handling difficult or angry clients.​​​

Preferred Qualifications:

• ​​​Some college or technical training.

ISBE provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We actively foster a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.