State of Illinois

UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE (UI) SERVICE DELIVERY SYSTEMS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME)

State of Illinois  •  $103k/yr  •  Chicago, IL (Onsite)  •  15 days ago
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Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 55905
Opening Date:
05/14/2026
Closing Date:
05/29/2026
Agency:
Department of Employment Security
Class Title:
PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option:
General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option:
None
Salary:
Anticipated starting salary (effective 7/01/26) $8,571 monthly; Full range $8,571 - $12,651 monthly
Job Type:
Salaried
Category:
Full Time
County:
Cook
Number of Vacancies:
2
Bargaining Unit Code:
RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators,and Physicians 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.

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Service Delivery Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME). Responsibilities include planning and evaluating the implementation of program functions in UI systems, including claims, certification, adjudication, payment, and employer charge determination functions. This role is also responsible for coordinating system change requests, bug fixes and database updates, and developing and conducting technical system training. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who has thorough knowledge of utilizing computerized systems to interpret and apply provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act and who is dedicated to providing assistance and guidance to system users and ensuring systems are in compliance with related federal and state laws. The ideal candidate for this position will have wide-ranging professional experience working with Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS), GenTax and Illinois JobLink to deliver unemployment insurance and employment services and experience collaborating with key stakeholders across organization divisions to achieve objectives. 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 direction, serves as an Unemployment Insurance (UI) Service Delivery Systems Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) in matters related to Service Delivery program functions in UI systems
  • Plans and implements Unemployment Insurance (UI) system upgrades to support agency objectives and mandated changes to Service Delivery program policies, procedures and functions, including but not limited to upgrades to the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS) and related systems used for claims processing, certification, adjudication and payments
  • Develops training curriculum and conducts structured, technical training related to explaining new and existing Unemployment Insurance (UI) system functionality as it relates to Service Delivery program operations to improve staff performance
  • Provides customer service and guidance to internal and external clients, including but not limited to claimants, employers, U.S. Department of Labor staff and staff from other agencies within the state
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in federal and state Unemployment Insurance (UI) laws, rules and regulations and related systems
  • Serves as project/team leader on highly complex projects
  • 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, preferably with courses in business or public administration
  • Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization

Specialized Skills

  • Three (3) years of professional experience utilizing the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS) to interpret and apply provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act and related federal and state laws, rules and regulations to determine claimant eligibility and benefit amounts
  • Three (3) years of experience monitoring program output levels for delivery of unemployment insurance (UI) and employment services in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and guidelines, including but not limited to those issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or other relevant governmental or regulatory agencies
  • Two (2) years of professional experience providing support for a complex system, such as the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS), GenTax or Illinois JobLink, including analyzing recurring issues, recommending or coordinating resolutions and recommending enhancements
  • One (1) year of professional experience developing and delivering training, including creating training materials and conducting training sessions

Preferred Qualifications

  • Three (3) years of professional experience utilizing a computerized unemployment insurance benefit claim system to interpret and apply provisions of the Unemployment Insurance (UI) Act and related federal and state laws, rules and regulations to determine claimant eligibility and benefit amounts
  • Three (3) years of experience monitoring program output levels for delivery of unemployment insurance (UI) and employment services in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and guidelines, including but not limited to those issued by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) or other relevant governmental or regulatory agencies
  • Two (2) years of professional experience providing support for a complex system, such as the Illinois Benefit Information System (IBIS), GenTax or Illinois JobLink, including analyzing recurring issues, recommending or coordinating resolutions and recommending enhancement
  • One (1) year of professional experience developing and delivering training, including creating training materials and conducting training sessions
  • Two (2) years of experience analyzing system-generated reports to identify discrepancies and ensure data integrity
  • Two (2) years of professional experience collaborating effectively with multiple divisions and working independently to achieve objectives

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 sedentary work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(a)). Sedentary work involves lifting no more than 10 pounds at a time and requires occasional lifting, carrying, walking, and standing
  • 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
  • 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, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 115 S Lasalle St, Chicago, Illinois, 60603
Work County: Cook
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

This position DOES 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:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
State of Illinois

About State of Illinois

The government of Illinois, under the Constitution of Illinois, has three branches of government: executive, legislative and judicial. The executive branch is split into several statewide elected offices, with the Governor as chief executive, and has numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions. Legislative functions are granted to the General Assembly, composed of the 118-member House of Representatives and the 59-member Senate. The judiciary is composed of the Supreme Court and lower courts.

The government of Illinois has numerous departments, agencies, boards and commissions, but the code departments, so called because they're established by the Civil Administrative Code of Illinois, provide most of the state's services:

Department on Aging

Department of Agriculture

Department of Central Management Services

Department of Children and Family Services

Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Department of Corrections

Department of Employment Security

Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Department of Healthcare and Family Services

Department of Human Rights

Department of Human Services

Department of Juvenile Justice

Department of Labor

Department of the Lottery

Department of Natural Resources

Department of Public Health

Department of Revenue

Department of State Police

Department of Transportation

Department of Veterans' Affairs

Industry
Government & Public Safety
Company Size
10,000+ employees
Headquarters
Unknown
Year Founded
Unknown
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