Advanced Labor Relations Specialist (PSA Opt. 1)

Springfield, United States

Job Requisition ID: 50275
BPIS: 08604

Start Date: 09/23/2025

Closing Date: 10/07/2025
Agency: Department of Healthcare and Family Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: General Administration/Business Marketing/Labor/Personnel
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary range $9,000 - $11,000.
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Confidential Exclusion from RC063 Collective Bargaining Coverage

A resume is highly encouraged to evaluate your qualifications and skills as part of your application. Please attach a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV) to the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application if you decide to provide one.

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.

Position Statement:

The Department of Healthcare and Family Services, Division of Personnel and Administrative Services is seeking to hire a Labor Relations Specialist. This position will assist with labor relations issues, grievances, disciplinary actions, and contract interpretations for an assigned portion of the agency. Additionally, this position will work in a team environment to resolve employee grievances concerning the interpretation and application of agency policy and other issues concerning terms and conditions of employment.

The ideal candidate will be professional, organized, and results orientated while possessing excellent communications skills. This position provides a great opportunity for someone who possess the ability to remain calm in high stress situations and is passionate about labor relations management.

HFS values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

Employees receive a robust benefit package including:

Monday-Friday work schedule
Flexible work schedules are available in many program areas. (Remote work may be an option for certain positions.)
Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
Pension Plan
Paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
Deferred Compensation Program and other pre-tax benefit programs (Medical/Daycare)
Employees earn (12) paid Sick Days annually.
New Employees earn (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to (25) paid Vacation Days annually.
Employees earn (3) paid Personal Days annually.
(13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)

If you are seeking a new opportunity, and this position appeals to you, please apply today!

At the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), We value staff as our greatest asset at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS). We work in a spirit of teamwork to help millions of Illinoisans access high-quality healthcare and fulfill child support obligations to advance their physical, mental, and financial well-being. We provide healthcare coverage for children and adults through Medicaid and other medical programs, and we help ensure that children receive financial resources from both their parents through Child Support Services. The HFS Office of the Inspector General investigates, audits and reviews program activity to ensure the integrity of our programs is maintained.

HFS is committed to promoting and preserving a workplace culture that embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion. We welcome and value employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents. It is the collective sum of our individual differences that provides a broad perspective, leading to greater innovation and achievement. In recruiting for our team, we recognize the unique contributions of each applicant regardless of culture, ethnicity, race, national origin, sex, gender identity and expression, age, religion, disability, and sexual orientation. HFS is an equal opportunity employer.

Essential Functions

Serves as an advanced Labor Relations expert for assigned areas of the agency
Interprets and advises Agency supervisory and management staff regarding grievance procedures and appropriate disciplinary action
Evaluates complex and sensitive labor relation issues and address in accordance with appropriate rules or governing authority
Represents HFS at 3rd Level grievances, arbitration, Civil Service Commission (CSC) Hearings, Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) Hearings, and Rules Grievances
Collaborates with HR Administrator on the development of curriculum for training supervisory staff on CBA topics such as Affirmative Attendance, Discipline, Grievances, and Arbitration
Prepares research for contract negotiations
Establishes and maintains working relationships with AFSCME Council 31 and Illinois Nurses Associate
Investigates and responds to Unfair Labor Practice Charges filed with the Labor Board
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 completing (4) four years of college, preferably with public or business administration courses
Requires prior experience equivalent to (3) three years of progressively responsible administrative labor relations or employee relations experience in a public or business organization

Preferred Qualifications

Three (3) years of professional experience working in a labor relations office
At least three (3) years of professional experience representing an employer in employee grievances and disciplinary matters
At least (3) years of experience interpreting and explaining provisions of union contracts, employee handbooks, legal documents, policies, and procedures
At least three (3) years of professional experience drafting labor relations or human resource communications such as disciplinary charges, memorandums of understanding, grievance responses, etc
Three (3) years of professional experience working with various levels of management and union representatives in a labor relations capacity
Three (3) years of professional personnel experience in a private or public organization maintaining confidentiality and handling sensitive information with professionalism
Two (2) years of professional experience communicating with both internal and external stakeholders regarding labor relations and/or human resource matters
One (1) year of experience participating in the collective bargaining process negotiating labor a greements, settlement agreements, supplemental agreements, or memorandum of understanding

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 laptop
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in
the job description.

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Work Location: 2946 Old Rochester Rd, Springfield, Illinois, 62703
Agency Contact: HFSDPASApps@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

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:

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