SPECIAL EDUCATION PROGRAM SPECIALIST (PROGRAM SPECIALIST II #1214)

Reporting to the Director, provides administrative support to the Director and professional staff of the department. Daily work includes gathering information and responding to inquiries, decision making, interpretation and application of agency and department policies and procedures.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provides clerical support to the Director and the department by finalizing a variety of correspondence, reports, and presentations.
• Organizes and maintains department files.
• Answers telephones.
• Responds to inquiries requiring general knowledge of program operations.
• Assists with department conference planning.
• Schedules appointments.
• Makes travel and meeting arrangements and prepares expense claims.
• Maintains confidentiality for information related to personnel and department claims.
• Provides administrative support to assigned advisory councils, including scheduling meetings, preparation of minutes, and supporting the Council Chairperson.
• Maintains and completes Management Information Database Accounting System (MIDAS) functions for the department.
• Responsible for ordering, securing, and distributing supplies for department staff.
• Serves as department timekeeper, maintaining and completing attendance in timekeeping system.
• Performs administrative support services and functions to assist Principal Consultants responsible for the Educational Surrogate Parent Program, including appointments and withdrawals of educational surrogate parents.
• Provides information or assistance to agency staff, LEAs/cooperatives, and the general public concerning department activities.
• Applies general knowledge of agency operations, rules, and regulations in explaining or clarifying processes or services available.
• Maintains department calendar of events.
• Performs support functions for meetings, conferences and trainings.
• Serves as inventory clerk for the department, maintaining inventory records, documenting all inventory movements, and ensuring inventory control procedures are adhered to by staff.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
  
  

Required Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of administrative support or programmatic experience in an office setting involving typing, computer work, and/or other specialized training.
• Extensive knowledge of office practices and procedures.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Working knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Excellent communication, organization, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or some college or technical training.
• Experience coordinating clerical and office procedures for a large department.
  
  

ISBE provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. We actively foster a culture of inclusion and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

Illinois has an urgent and collective responsibility to achieve educational equity by ensuring that all policies, programs, and practices affirm the strengths that each and every child brings within their diverse backgrounds and life experiences, and by delivering the comprehensive supports, programs, and educational opportunities they need to succeed.