Illinois

Illinois government has dozens of open jobs near Belleville. One pays up to $120K

The Illinois state government is hiring for office jobs, conservation work and more in the metro-east.
The Illinois state government is hiring for office jobs, conservation work and more in the metro-east. Capitol News Illinois

Looking for a new job this spring? The Illinois state government is hiring for more than 300 open positions statewide, including at least 30 in the metro-east.

Unemployment has seen a marginal increase in Illinois recently, rising from 4.4% to 4.6% from November to December 2025, the most recent months for which data are available from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

From receptionist jobs to positions in conservation, there are a variety of listings available from the state. Here’s what to know about Illinois state government positions available in the metro-east.

Regional office receptionist

Agency: Department of Children and Family Services

Wage: $4,004 per month anticipated starting pay; the full range is listed at $4,004 to $5,245 per month.

Location: Belleville

Application deadline: Thursday, March 26

Minimum qualifications for the position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to the completion of high school, as well as two years of office experience and the ability to type accurately at 45 words per minute, according to the listing.

Job responsibilities include, the listing says:

  • “Serves as a Regional Office Receptionist
  • Answers all incoming calls and screens callers to determine nature of request, many of which may be hostile
  • Greets visitors and directs walk-ins to appropriate offices and resources
  • Orders and distributes forms from Central Stores”

You can apply online for the regional office receptionist position.

Electrician

Agency: Department of Human Services

Wage: $9,488.22 to $10,010.22 per month

Location: Alton

Application deadline: Thursday, March 26

Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to four years of high school education, along with proof of possession of successful completion of a recognized electrician apprenticeship program and four years of full-time journey level electrician experience or eight years of full-time journey level electrician experience, the listing says.

Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:

  • “Receives day-to-day guidance and assignments from the Chief Stationary Engineer-Assistant Chief at the Alton Mental Health Center.
  • Performs preventive maintenance and repair of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system located at the facility.
  • Performs preventative maintenance activities on 400HZ motor generators, including lubrication and checking units for excessive vibration and noise.
  • Changes building ballasts and bulbs.
  • Installs and maintains battery systems ensuring proper function and integrity of batteries and that the battery charging systems are working correctly.”

You can apply online for the electrician position.

Office associate

Agency: Department of Human Services

Wage: $4,004 to $5,464 per month

Location: Chester

Application deadline: Wednesday, April 1

Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to the completion of high school, as well as two years of office experience and the ability to type accurately at 45 words per minute, the listing says.

Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:

  • Performs a variety of specialized keyboarding and clerical functions for the units and professional staff.
  • Provides clerical office support as a secretary to units administrative and professional staff through keyboarding a variety of correspondence, e.g. letters, memorandums, schedules, notices, etc., from handwritten hard copy, prerecorded or voice dictation.
  • Maintains all patient clinical files in accordance with the facility’s Clinical Entry Record Guidelines.
  • Utilizing software programs, maintains a database for notifying all medical/psychiatric/clinical staff of scheduled dates for psychiatric, psychological, social work and treatment plan reviews.
  • Keyboards and distributes all DMH-30 (Referrals).”

You can apply online for the office associate position.

Senior negotiator (realty specialist III)

Agency: Department of Transportation

Wage: $5,055 per month anticipated starting pay; the full range is listed at $5,055 to $8,800 per month.

Location: Collinsville

Application deadline: Thursday, April 2

Minimum qualifications for this position include completion of two years of college majoring in engineering, construction management or related fields plus two years of professional experience in real estate, surveying, title work, land acquisition, appraisal, negotiation, property management or relocation assistance, or three years of professional experience in real estate, surveying, title work, land acquisition, appraisal, negotiation, property management or relocation assistance, the listing says.

Preferred qualifications include the ability to read and interpret reports, maps, plans, plats, legal descriptions and title abstracts and more.

The job responsibilities include, the listing says:

  • “Clears rights-of-way through negotiations in a manner that protects private property rights while ensuring that construction letting schedules are met.
  • Prepares special documents for the clearance and certification of title required by the land acquisition project.
  • Negotiates with property owners and their representatives for the acquisition of land covering a wide range of complexities and difficulties.
  • Provides special services to the Land Acquisition and Appraisal Sections as workload and circumstances require.
  • Performs duties in compliance with departmental safety rules. Performs all duties in a manner conducive to the fair and equitable treatment of all employees.”

You can apply online for the senior negotiator position.

Conservation education representative

Agency: Department of Natural Resources

Wage: $4,586 per month anticipated starting pay; the full range is listed at $4,586 to $6,228 per month.

Location: Carlyle

Application deadline: Thursday, April 2

Minimum qualifications for this position include “knowledge, skill, and mental development” equivalent to the completion of four years of college, with courses in journalism, English or public speaking, the listing says. Preferred qualifications also apply.

Job responsibilities include, according to the listing:

  • “Under general direction, presents programs, activities and events to the general public, school groups, and special interest groups at Eldon Hazlet State Recreational Area
  • Develops a familiarity with department rules, regulations, and park history
  • Develops and implements the natural or outdoor recreational site’s interpretive program plan
  • Assists in the training of volunteers for ongoing needs or special events
  • Interprets departmental rules and regulations regarding hunting, camping, and fishing.”

You can apply online for the conservation education representative position.

Do you have a question about employment in the metro-esat or Illinois for the News-Democrat? We’d like to hear from you. Fill out our Metro-east Matters form below.

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Meredith Howard
Belleville News-Democrat
Meredith Howard is a service journalist with the Belleville News-Democrat. She is a Baylor University graduate and has previously freelanced with the Illinois Times and the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. Support my work with a digital subscription
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