Here’s 8 of the most interesting government jobs open now in Illinois and what they pay
Whether you’re looking to be hired as a cook or a carpenter, a psychologist or the director of a forensics lab, there could be a job for you in Illinois’ state government.
As of Wednesday, Illinois had more than 400 open state government jobs. Here are some of the most unique, including what they pay and where the positions are based.
Interpreter coordinator
Illinois’ Deaf and Hard of Hearing Commissions is hiring for a licensed sign language interpreter. The position will play a key role in shaping the state’s workforce of interpreters, including administering certification testing.
Location: Springfield
Salary: $4,982 to $7,369 / anticipated starting salary, plus an additional 5% bilingual pay
Deadline to apply: Oct. 7
State epidemiologist
The Illinois Department of Public Health is looking for a state epidemiologist who will play a key role in shaping the state policy and safeguarding the public’s health.
According to the position description, the state epidemiologist serves as the department’s liaison with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Public Health Services and epidemiologists in other states. The state epidemiologist will also lead a multi-disciplinary infectious disease rapid response team during outbreak investigations around the state.
Location: Chicago
Salary: $7,917 to $9,583 monthly
Application deadline: Oct. 14
Cook I
Illinois’ Division of Developmental Disabilities in the Department of Human Services is looking to hire a cook for the Murray Developmental Center in Clinton County.
Location: Centralia
Salary: $3,261 to $4,344 per month
Application deadline: Sept. 23
Paralegal Assistant
The Illinois State Police agency is looking for a self-motivated manager to join its “very busy legal office team.” The position assists the agency by providing general paralegal support services related to litigation, ISP Merit Board complaints, court orders, legal agreements and other legal issues, according to the job’s advertisement.
Location: Springfield
Salary: $4,164 to $5,982, with an anticipated starting salary of $4,164 monthly
Application deadline: Sept. 26
Special education director
As the special education director for the Department of Juvenile Justice in Illinois, you’ll use your expertise to work with at-risk students, according to the position’s description.
The job is a fit for people who “want to be a change agent and are looking to work to change the lives of students and contribute to communities.”
Location: Springfield
Salary: Anticipated starting salary of $6,000 to $9,000 monthly
Application deadline: Sept. 28
Environmental protection geologist I
This position will work within the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency to conduct geologic investigations, and it’s considered an entry-level position in the field.
According to the position: “You will be observing and participating in field investigations with other geologists, engineers and scientists concerning projects related to the Land and Water Programs. The successful candidate will assist in the review of geologic data to determine groundwater flow systems and address groundwater pollution, and potential, rate and extent of contamination.”
Location: Springfield
Salary: $4,326 to $6,271 monthly
Application deadline: Sept. 23
Psychologist I
Working within the state’s Department of Human Services, this psychologist will operate within Upward Mobility, a career-advancement program for state employees designed to help them move up into higher-paying positions. Part of this work includes counseling, but also planning training and behavioral programs for employees.
Location: Centralia
Salary: $4,738 to $6,964 monthly
Application deadline: Sept. 30
Forensic science lab director
This position will work within the broader Illinois State Policy agency and specifically the Forensic Sciences Command, which the posting describes as “the third-largest forensic laboratory system in the world.”
The forensic science lab director will oversee the opening of a new lab location in Decatur. From the job’s advertisement: “Currently, with six full service forensic laboratories throughout the State of Illinois and a Training and Applications Laboratory, the new Decatur Forensic Science Laboratory will be the seventh laboratory in the system. This laboratory will primarily function as a DNA Property Crimes Lab.”
Location: Decatur
Salary: $10,000 to $13,760 monthly, anticipated
Application deadline: Oct. 3