Associate Director Bilingual Education and Care Services; Senior PUBLIC Service Administrator

Associate Director Bilingual Education and Care Services (SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome.

Position Overview:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) is seeking an Associate Director Bilingual Education and Care Services. This role provides leadership in planning, coordinating, and overseeing bilingual education and care services across the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). The position supports the design and implementation of service delivery models that meet the needs of bilingual children, families, and providers. It leads strategic stakeholder engagement efforts to strengthen alignment across programs and initiatives and conducts research and policy analysis to inform the long-term direction of bilingual education and care services statewide.

The position serves as a full line supervisor and performs additional duties as assigned.

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.

Essential Functions Subject to Management approval of the Deputy Education Officer – Comprehensive Services, leads planning and coordination for services and supports, overseeing bilingual education and care services for early childhood education across the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC). Supports the design of services delivery for bilingual children, families, and providers. Coordinates strategic stakeholder engagement and alignment. Conducts research and policy analysis to inform long-term direction of bilingual education and care service delivery.

Serves as a full line supervisor. Performs other duties as assigned or required which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with coursework in public administration, business administration, or a closely related field. Requires minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in bilingual education, bilingual education administration, or bilingual policy development. Requires the ability to speak and write in Spanish at a colloquial level.

Preferred Qualifications Prefers knowledge of Illinois' early childhood education and care programs and services. Prefers knowledge of Illinois bilingual education law and federal ESEA Title III requirements. Prefers a Master's degree in public administration, public policy, education policy, business administration, public health, or a closely related field. Prefers demonstrated experience in culturally responsive practices. Prefers experience managing large-scale bilingual education programs, professional development, budgets, and stakeholder engagement.

Conditions of Employment Requires the ability to successfully pass a 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 ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license. Requires the ability to use and maintain state-issued equipment, such as a cell phone, laptop, and other necessary equipment as required.

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.

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…