Illinois hiring for state jobs in metro-east. See 5 openings—one pays up to $8,600 a month
The Land of Lincoln’s unemployment rate increased slightly from April to May, and Illinois saw one of the largest decreases in job opening rates in April.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 313,200 Illinois residents were unemployed in April, compared to 317,400 in May, an increase from 4.8% to 4.9%. May is the most recent month for which the BLS has posted unemployment data.
Illinois offers unemployment assistance to eligible applicants with acceptable reasons for leaving their last job. Two new labor-related laws went into effect as well July 1, including the Freelance Worker Protection Act and protections for child social media influencers.
Although Illinois may not be keeping pace with other states in terms of job openings, the state government is hiring for more than 25 positions within 50 miles of Belleville.
The Work for Illinois website displays job listings, deadlines and qualifications, and you can apply for positions online. We’ve rounded up five local positions and the starting wages, all available as of July 9.
Painter
Agency: Department of Human Services
Wage: $31.82 to $33.57 per hour
Location: Chester
Application deadline: July 18
Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to completion of four years of high school, successful completion of a recognized painter apprenticeship program and two years of full-time “journey level painter experience” or six years of full-time journey level painter experience, according to the listing.
Conditions of employment include possession of a valid driver’s license, ability to work from heights and lift up to 50 pounds independently, pass a drug screen and background check, ability to operate power lifts and more.
Job responsibilities include, the listing says:
“Performs journey level work in painting, redecorating, and refinishing of walls, interior and exterior, woodwork, furniture and fixtures for renovation and maintenance at the Chester Mental Health Center.
Prepares interior or exterior walls, metal surfaces, floors, ceiling, and equipment for painting, applies and fills holes in plaster or woodwork with patching plaster, putty, or other type filler compound.
Erects ladders or scaffolding needed for painting and repairing interior and exterior walls.
Performs shop work at facilities. Refinishes bookcases, cabinets, metal cabinets.
Inspects work sites to determine amount and type of materials needed for painting projects.”
You can apply for the painter position online.
Social services trainee
Agency: Department of Human Services
Wage: $52,944 to $71,892 per year
Location: Alton
Application deadline: July 18
Minimum qualifications include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with courses in social science or a related field of the social sciences, the listing says.
Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:
“Receives on the job training for a period of six (6) to twelve (12) months to develop the knowledge, understanding and practical skills needed to manage a public assistance caseload such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) including earned income cases, Medical Assistance No Grant (MANG) including Spenddown cases, Aid to the Aged, Blind and Disabled (AABD), Group Care, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or other such cases.
Informs clients of the changes in the State’s Welfare Programs, work incentive programs, child support services and encourages client participation in these programs.
Receives training in managing earned income cases and in determining continued eligibility for TANF.
Evaluates requests and identifies special needs of client for referral to appropriate services.
Receives training in records and updating case status changes, such as change in address, unit composition and number, budget computation, SNAP and medical eligibility.”
You can apply for the social services trainee opening online.
Child protection investigator
Agency: Department of Children and Family Services
Wage: Anticipated starting salary is $6,291 per month, full range is $6,005 to $8,678 per month
Location: Collinsville
Application deadline: July 19
The preferred qualification is a master’s degree in social work, the listing says. Minimum qualifications include a master’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration or law enforcement and one year of directly related professional experience; or a bachelor’s degree in social work and one year of directly related professional experience; or a bachelor’s degree in a related human service field, in criminal justice, criminal justice administration or law enforcement and two years of directly related professional experience.
“The college or university issuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree must be accredited, and the degree program in social work must be approved by the Council on Social Work Education,” the listing says.
Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:
“Serves as Child Protection Investigator
Prepares investigation reports for assessing validity of reports of allegations
Selects, summarizes, and presents case material for transfer to permanency caseworker or community agencies
Determines the need for and coordinates the placement of children in substitute care facilities
Attends multi-disciplinary diagnostic and technical staff conferences to assess needed services
Transports clients when taking protective custody, when placing them in substitute care, and when changing placement location”
You can apply for the child protection investigator position online.
Registered nurse I (upward mobility)
Agency: Department of Human Services
Wage: $70,836 to $97,512 per year
Location: Alton
Application deadline: Sept. 19
Minimum qualifications include graduation from an approved nursing education program resulting in an associate’s or diploma degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in nursing and licensure as a registered nurse in the state of Illinois, the listing says.
Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:
“Utilizing the nursing process, provides professional nursing care to mentally ill patients on a living unit.
Provides guidance to lower level staff for adherence to treatment plans and compliance with applicable operational policies and procedures, current professional standards of psychiatric mental health patient care.
Performs a variety of nursing care functions including preparing and administering medication, laboratory specimens, preparing patients for specialized diagnostic testing, providing Basic Life Support (BLS).
Consults with physicians and other professional staff regarding patient treatment and care.
Monitors the use of appropriate techniques to ensure a safe, secure therapeutic and sanitary environment of care and general performance of duties.
Completes mandatory nursing training requirements and continuing education workshops and seminars to maintain professional competency.”
You can apply for the registered nurse position online.
Scorer - loaders
Agency: Department of Natural Resources
Wage: $14 to $18 per hour
Location: Sparta
Application deadline: Sept. 30
Minimum qualifications for this position include “education, knowledge, and mental development equivalent to an 8th grade education,” the listing says, and preferred qualifications include knowledge of firearm safety.
Additional requirements include a minimum age of 16, ability to work shifts up to nine or 10 hours and ability to lift up to 25 pounds.
Job responsibilities may include, according to the listing:
“Accurately keep/tally scores for competitors.
Serve as referee for events.
Loaders will have responsibilities that include:
Ensure target throwing machines always have sufficient amount of targets in them.
Serve as referee for events.
Scorers/Loaders both have responsibilities that include:
Cleaning fields during/after shooting events.
Assist with other events to set up tables/chairs.
Wash/distribute water jugs for hydration stations.
Clean up areas before/after/during events. Haul trash, tear down boxes and bail cardboard.
Litter pick up detail.
Shotgun hull pickup/disposal.
Light groundskeeping.”
Responsibilities may vary based on whether the person is primarily a scorer or loader.
You can apply for the scorer - loader position online.
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