PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE

Job Requisition ID: 56415 Opening Date: 05/28/2026 Closing Date: 06/11/2026 Agency: Department of Employment Security Class Title: EMP SEC PROGRAM REPRESENTATIVE (13650) Skill Option: UMP Certificate Bilingual Option: None Salary: Anticipated starting salary (effective 7/1/26) $5,127 monthly; Full range $5,127 - $7,135 monthly Job Type: Salaried Category: Full Time County: Whiteside Number of Vacancies: 2 Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME Merit Comp Code:

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


All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

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.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday; 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Headquarter Location: 406 Avenue C, Sterling, Illinois, 61081
Work County: Whiteside
Agency Contact: Don Motley
Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
Posting Group: Social Services

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 are 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).

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 on the using the "View Profile" link in 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.

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 click.appcast.io
• View email address on click.appcast.io