If you’re looking for a new job this fall or winter, you might want to check out these listings from the Illinois state government.
Unemployment has seen a slight increase to 5.3% in Illinois , according to August data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This was the fourth consecutive monthly increase.
The Land of Lincoln is in a period of “excessive unemployment” under Illinois law as the state has recently seen at least two consecutive months with an unemployment rate of 5% or more. The Employment of Illinois Workers on Public Works Act goes into effect at this time, requiring the workforce on all public works projects receiving any state funding to have a minimum of 90% Illinois resident laborers.
Direct hires by the state of Illinois are not covered by the act, Illinois Department of Labor spokesperson Paul Cicchini said in a recent email to the BND. It generally applies to work that is contracted by public bodies.
Illinois offers unemployment assistance to eligible applicants with acceptable reasons for leaving their last job. In addition, two new labor-related laws went into effect July 1, including the Freelance Worker Protection Act and protections for child social media influencers.
Another employment law will take effect Jan. 1, 2025, requiring employers with 15 or more employees to include pay scale and benefit information in job postings.
If someone comes across a listing from a company with 15 or more employees that does not include the required salary and benefit information after the new law goes into effect, they can make a report to IDOL. Reports must be made within one year of the violation and the agency encourages people to include a link, screenshot or photo of the listing with the report.
If IDOL staff find the posting does violate the law, the employer will be notified and given a date by which to address the issue.
“Pay transparency is the key to ending wage discrimination and ensuring every employee gets fair pay for a fair day’s work,” State Rep. Mary Beth Canty, a Democrat from Arlington Heights, said in an Oct. 1 press release. “A more transparent workplace that empowers employees is better for everyone.”
Here’s what to know about positions available with the Illinois state government in the metro-east and statewide.
Deck hand
Wage: $35.03 per hour anticipated starting pay
Location: Grafton
Application deadline: Oct. 17
Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge,” “skill” and “mental development” equivalent to the completion of eight years of elementary school and elementary knowledge of boat and ferry operations and river traffic regulations.
Preferred qualifications include the ability to repair and maintain equipment, office and grounds and the ability to follow oral and written instructions, the listing says.
Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:
Directs traffic to ensure safe loading procedures are followed when vehicles, commodities and personnel are loaded onto barge. Secures appropriate gates dispatches traffic to ensure safe unloading procedures are followed. Advises ferry operator of existing and potential problems.
Performs preventive maintenance to the ferry boats barges equipment office and grounds.
Keeps ice and debris removed from around boats to prevent their damage.
You can apply for this position online.
Executive secretary I
Wage: $4,246 per month anticipated starting salary
Location: Collinsville
Application deadline: Oct. 16
Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to completion of two years of secretarial or business college and one year of secretarial experience or completion of high school and three years of secretarial experience, the listing says, as well as the ability to type accurately at 55 words per minute.
“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 classification,” the listing says.
The listing also states several preferred qualifications, including working knowledge of agency programs, rules and regulation, thorough knowledge of the principles of office management and others.
The listing’s job responsibilities include:
“As secretary to the Construction Engineer, performs duties including keyboarding correspondence and meeting minutes.
Performs clerical support for section staff. Keyboards a variety of materials.
Serves as receptionist for the bureau.
Arranges travel and hotel reservations for supervisor and [field] staff for seminars and meetings.
Gathers statistics and makes recommendations.
Maintains current files on complaints received from officials, the public, and reports from field engineers.”
You can apply for the executive secretary I position online.
Transit operating project manager - southern (technical manager III)
Wage: $5,055 per month anticipated starting salary
Location: Springfield
Application deadline: Oct. 15
Minimum qualifications for this position include a bachelor’s degree majoring in business administration, accounting, communications, finance, management, urban planning or public administration, or completion of two years of college plus two years of experience with transportation operations, grant or contract administration, project management, transit data analysis, or a combination thereof, or six years of experience with transportation operations, grant or contract administration, project management, transit data analysis, the listing says.
Preferred qualifications include experience with financial management and general accounting principles, knowledge of Federal Transit Administration grant programs, strong oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, proficiency in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel and strong organizational skills, according to the listing.
The position’s job responsibilities include, the listing says:
“Assists and directs grantees in the timely development of grant applications, contracts, and payment requisitions, as well as audit schedules and data reporting requirements.
Evaluates operating grant application documents to assess merit and identify deficiencies.
Evaluates completed grant applications and makes recommendations to the Section Chief Transit Operating - Southern for grant approval or other actions.
Prepares correspondence and documents necessary for the management of applications and grants assigned to the incumbent.
Monitors all project activities and provides guidance on compliance with all grant requirements.
Evaluates request[s] for payments for accuracy and ensures conformity with the approved grant requirements.
Maintains thorough and accurate records, data entry, data management, and records retention in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
Participates and contributes to the annual review and update of the internal transit procedure manuals.
Maintains current knowledge of federal and state program compliance requirements.
Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.
Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.”
You can apply for the transit operating project manager position online.
Civil engineer VI - chief plans and steel fabrication unit chief
Wage: $7,298 to $11,351 per month
Location: Springfield
Application deadline: Oct. 17
Minimum qualifications for this listing include current registration as a licensed professional engineer in the state of Illinois, eight years of experience in civil engineering including three years supervising staff and managing engineering functions and a valid driver’s license. The position involves occasional statewide and out-of-state travel with overnight stays, the listing says.
The listing’s job responsibilities include:
“Formulates and recommends policies, establishes procedures, and sets priorities for shop plan approval and shop inspections of state bridge and structure fabrication. Arranges for shop inspection of fabrication for LPA [local public agency] bridge projects when agreed to with the LPA during the project development, with consideration and determination of adequate inspection staff resources.
Plans, directs, schedules, trains, and supervises subordinates to accomplish departmental goals charged to the Shop Plans and Steel Fabrication Unit.
Approves or rejects fabricators’ requests for material substitution, deviation from the contract documents, proposed method of repair of mis-fabrication of components, and use of new fabrication and welding processes.
Provides technical expertise to other agencies relative to methods of fabrication, welding, non-destructive testing, specifications, field erection problems, damaged material, material acceptance, and payment for contractual work revisions.
Acts on state and national advisory committees with respect to technical research projects on fabrication and welding.
Keeps abreast of all technical advancements in methods of structural fabrication, welding, and nondestructive testing.
Prepares proposals and contracts for consultant inspection services and recommends award of the contracts for such services.
Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules.
Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.”
You can apply for the civil engineer position online.
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