Position
Program Specialist I (Program Specialist I #558)
Location
Springfield or Chicago
Department
Special Education
Full Salary Range
$39,625 - $64,941
Office Hours
Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Posted Date
November 19, 2025
Closing Date
Open Until Filled
Reporting to the Supervisor, is responsible for clerical functions in the department. Provides support to staff responsible for the administration of the focused monitoring system; serves as the back-up receptionist.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs administrative support services and functions to assist Principal Consultants responsible for differentiated monitoring and support programs, including preparing and maintaining adequate materials; assisting with correspondence including data entry, printing and mailing letters to the appropriate parties; maintaining a filing system; and maintaining and completing Management Information Database Accounting System (MIDAS) functions associated with these programs.
- Serves as the back-up general receptionist providing non-technical information and assistance in person and by telephone to parents, school district personnel, other agencies and the general public.
- Answers and directs incoming calls to appropriate staff, takes messages and refers calls or requests to others.
- Performs administrative support services and functions to assist staff in other division program areas as needed (i.e., contracts/grants, heat tickets, itineraries, etc.) including data entry, printing and mailing letters, maintaining files, etc.
- Performs back-up administrative support including timekeeping, and functions to assist Principal Consultants responsible for the administration of the Educational Surrogate Parent Programs, including preparing and maintaining adequate materials, assisting with correspondence including printing and mailing letters to the appropriate parties, and maintaining the filing system.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Required Qualifications
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Two years of secretarial or programmatic experience in an office setting involving typing, filing, and computer work.
- Experience using a multi-line phone system.
- Knowledge of office practices and procedures.
- Working knowledge of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Proficient in Microsoft Word.
- Excellent telephone and communication skills.
- Ability to understand the nature of verbal requests and direct the caller to the appropriate resource.
- Ability to maintain a calm demeanor when handling difficult or angry clients.
Preferred Qualifications
- Some college or technical training.
