Description

CHIEF NURSE

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

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant's wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant's wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials .

Date: Jan 30, 2026

Location:
Chicago, IL, US, 60616

Job Requisition ID: 52927

Job Requisition ID: 52927
Closing Date: 02/17/2026
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Class Title: PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR - 37015
Skill Option: Special License - Registered Nurse License
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $10,000 to $12,000 Monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Gubernatorial (Management Bill) 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.

IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THAT YOU UPLOAD COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTS AND RESUME.

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 Overview

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services is seeking an organized, professional, and results oriented individual to serve as Chief Nurse. Under administrative direction, this position will provide around the clock availability to respond to consultations regarding medically complex children who are new to the system and to approve specialized foster care on an emergency basis, due to medically complex needs. The position provides oversight to regional nurses throughout the state and renders final decisions on complex or conflicting matters related to the nursing program. This position provides a great opportunity for a compassionate medical professional who is focused on ensuring that children in the care of DCFS receive the best health care possible. DCFS offers a competitive compensation plan, excellent benefits, and a pension program. The ideal candidate for this position will have exemplary medical skills, strong leadership abilities, and excellent communication skills. We invite you to join our innovative team to help make a positive difference in the lives of the children and families of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Serves as Chief Nurse for the Department, providing around the clock availability to respond to consultations regarding medically complex children who are new to the system and to approve specialized foster care on an emergency basis, due to medically complex needs.
• Provides oversight of consultation and analysis to include the following: health-related concerns in investigations reports, complex health records, and other related materials, youth with special health care needs, treatment planning and referrals, routine health check measures and cross divisional communication.
• Develops strategies for the application of nursing services in all functions/units within the Department, specifically protective service investigations, family preservation, and services to children in placement.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Provides input into the recruitment and hiring of all nursing personnel.
• Serves as the senior consultant to the Deputy Director, senior management staff, and Regional Administrators regarding nursing services.
• In association with the Department's Medical Director, serves as Department liaison to community health proqrams and major medical, psycholoqical, psychiatric. and substance abuse facilities in the state.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a master's degree in nursing or a related human services degree.
• Requires five years of progressively responsible experience in public or private child welfare supervision and/or administration.
• Requires licensure as a Registered Nurse in the State of Illinois.

Preferred Qualifications

• 3 years of pediatric nursing experience.
• 3 years of nursing experience.
• 3 years of experience supervising professional staff.
• 3 years of professional experience working in the child welfare system.
• 3 years of professional experience developing or implementing performance standards for a nursing/medical care program.
• 3 years of professional experience performing quality assurance monitoring for the delivery of health care services.
• 3 years of professional experience developing and conducting training regarding health care services.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to pass a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• 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. This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour "on call" capacity.
• This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

DCFS is deeply committed to the welfare and protection of children. Our goal is to protect children by strengthening and supporting families. In every effort, from receiving hotline calls to reaching family reunification or foster care and adoption, children and families are our focus.

As a State of Illinois Employee, you will receive a robust benefit package that includes the following:

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick Days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 Days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Personal, Sick, & Vacation rates modified for 12-hour & part-time work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/Pages/default.aspx

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm
Headquarter Location: 1911 S Indiana Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60616

The official headquarters is 1911 S. Indiana, but you will be assigned to work at another DCFS office in Cook County.

Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [[recruiterEmail]]

Supervisor: M. Powell-Robinson

Agency Contact: Janet Potts
Email: janet.potts@illinois.gov(For Questions Only)

Posting Group: Health Services

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:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com