Public Information Officer (PUBLIC SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR)

Essential Functions

• Serves as the Public Information Officer (PIO) / Press Secretary functioning as the primary media liaison and as an official agency spokesperson on behalf of the Director of the Office of Communications for the Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC).


• Develops and implements external media engagement strategies and analyzes media coverage and public sentiment related to IDEC services.


• Develops and coordinates internal media strategies.


• Serves as a full-line supervisor.


• Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the above mentioned duties.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in communications, journalism, marketing, public relations, economics, public administration, or related field.


• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively responsible experience in journalism, public relations, or communications specifically related to early childhood programs and services.

Preferred Qualifications

• Three (3) years of professional work experience managing media relations at a public or private organization (e.g., generating press materials, coordinating interviews, and cultivating relationships with reporters/media outlets).


• Three (3) years of professional work experience translating complex data into clear, accessible messaging/branding for diverse audiences in print, digital, and broadcast media.


• Three (3) years of professional work experience with digital communication platforms (e.g., social media management, content development, and analytics tools).


• Two (2) years of professional experience speaking on the record as a spokesperson representing a public official or public agency.


• Two (2) years of work experience building professional relationships with local and statewide media, elected officials, early childhood advocates, and policy makers.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a criminal history check through the Illinois State Police.


• 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 may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.


• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

*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:

The Illinois Department of Early Childhood (IDEC) was signed into law in June of 2024 with the focus of making early childhood education and care services simpler, better and fairer for families with young children across the state. During fiscal years FY25 and FY26, IDEC will be working through transitioning data, programs and services from three state agencies – the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), and the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE), – to IDEC in order to be fully operational by July 2026.    

Illinois strives to be the best state in the nation to raise a family with young children and IDEC is committed to continue putting children and families center while reducing complexities and finding efficiencies in the system and advancing equity.