Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 55555
Opening Date: 04/23/2026
Closing Date: 05/07/2026
Agency: Department of Early Childhood
Class Title: PRIVATE SECRETARY II - 34202
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,000 - $7,500 per month ($72,000- $90,000 per year)
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
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

***This position is Exempt from Jurisdiction B of the Illinois Personnel Code under provision of paragraph 4d(3)***

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

• Under the direction of the Secretary of the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC), performs secretarial and administrative duties in a highly
• complex and confidential nature in handling materials, in sending and receiving correspondence, coordinating travel, securing accommodations for the Secretary.
• Maintain confidential and administrative files, operate manual and automatic office equipment and computers in performing assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Manages all correspondence for the Secretary’s Office.
• Screens visitors and callers answering inquiries involving the interpretation and explanation of departmental policies, procedures and programs; personally handles visitor/caller requests or programs or refers to appropriate staff if necessary.
• Serves as liaison for the Secretary with department management and supervisory staff and with managerial and administrative staff in other departments; promotes harmonious working relationships with all contacts.
• Performs other duties for the Secretary as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires either (a) completion of high school and four (4) years of work experience, including clerical/administrative work, in a public or business organization; (b) two (2) years of college and two (2) years of work experience, including clerical/administrative work, in a public or business organization; OR (c) four (4) years of college and one (1) year of work experience, including clerical/administrative work, in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers thorough knowledge of business English and secretarial procedures and practices.
• Prefers proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (e.g., MS Word, Excel).
• Prefers excellent typing skills, knowledge of general office procedures and protocols.
• Prefers ability to compose confidential and administrative correspondence without specific instructions or review.
• Prefers ability to exercise courtesy and tact in receiving callers and dispensing and obtaining information.
• Prefers ability to manage competing priorities among competing stakeholders for Secretary's focus/attention.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass a background check.
• Requires the 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 requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• Requires the ability to utilize and maintain state issued equipment such as a cell phone, laptop, etc.
• *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) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026. Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.

​Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am-5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Work County: Cook
Email: dec.jobs@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Office & Administrative Support; Social Services

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:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com