Essential Functions

• Serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
• Serves as the Senior Advisor for DEIA to programs and services teams.
• Serves as a full line supervisor.
• Provides leadership and strategic direction on the equity priorities for DEIA, including equity and inclusion efforts, both internal and external.
• Reviews and remains attentive to scientific literature and developments in other states regarding the measurement and application of performance and equity indicators.
• 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 (4) years of college with courses in business, public administration or a related field.
• Requires four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in strategic planning and/or diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in a public or private organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers four (4) years of professional work experience developing and implementing programming for internal stakeholders focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility programming, initiatives, and training.
• Prefers four (4) years of experience leveraging the knowledge of Title VII (EEOC) laws as well as Affirmative Action (OFCCP) regulations to build an engaged diverse workforce and inclusive environment.
• Prefers four (4) years of professional work experience collecting and analyzing data related to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility efforts, and using the insights to drive strategy and decision-making.
• Prefers four (4) years of professional experience managing multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Prefers excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Prefers thorough awareness of policy priorities and objectives.
• Prefers experience in technical aspects of report writing.
• Prefers familiarity with data system design and capabilities, and statistical research.

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 utilize state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• 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 the job 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.