Office Director

State of Illinois

Springfield, IL

Job Requisition ID: 54624
Opening Date: 04/06/2026
Closing Date: 04/20/2026
Agency:Department of Natural Resources
Class Title: SENIOR PUBLIC SERVICE ADMIN (40070)
Skill Option: Agriculture/Conservation
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary - $10,416 - $13,333/month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Sangamon
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: None
Merit Comp Code: Excluded - Subject to Paragraph (1), (2), (3), or (6) of Section 4d of the Personnel Code

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.

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 Natural Resources is looking for an Office Director for the Division of Land Management. This position serves as a policy making official, develops and implements the overall policies and procedures for the Office, which includes the Divison of Parks and Recreation. This position will oversee legislative issues and present testimony for the Office that relates to policies and procedures specific to Land Management programs, recommends the development of new programs and services, directs the preparation of the Office budget and monitors all expenditures and directs and coordinates the activities of professional staff in the statewide management of Land Managment. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply.

Essential Functions

Subject to approval of the Deputy Director, as a policy making official, develops and implements the overall policies and procedures for the Office of Land Management which includes the Division of Parks and Recreation.
Directs the preparation of the Office budget possessing full independent authority to commit and reallocate resources to enhance efficiency and services.
Serves as agency spokesperson in the determination of program policies and objectives and independent authority to commit the Office to a course of action and reallocate resources to enhance efficiency and services provided
Directs the formulation and approval of development and management plans, issue papers, policy documents, legislative revisions, public information material and press releases on outdoor recreation programs facilities and the Department's education programs.
Supervises staff
Directs the preparation of proposed legislation and presents testimony before legislative committees related to any aspect of the Office operations.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college with course work in natural resources management, parks and recreation, natural sciences or agriculture.
Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of public or business administration, including organizational operations, strategic planning, and program management.
Thorough knowledge of labor relations, employee management practices, and workforce development in a public sector environment.
Five (5) years of leadership experience overseeing major programs, field operations, or administrative functions within parks, recreation, or natural resources management.
Demonstrated the ability to develop and manage budgets, forecast operational needs, allocate resources effectively, and monitor expenditures to ensure efficient use of funds.
Five (5) years of experience in the ability to analyze administrative programs related to parks and recreation or natural resources management and adopt an effective course of action.
Five (5) years of experience in the ability to develop, implement and evaluate organizational improvements, procedures, and performance standards related to parks and recreation or natural resources management.
Five (5) years of experience in the ability to exercise judgement and discretion in developing, implementing, and interpreting departmental legislation, administrative rules, policies and procedures.

Conditions of Employment

All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment, with or without reasonable accommodation, to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities:

Ability to pass background check.
Valid driver's license.
Ability to travel throughout the state.
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
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.

Division Statement

Office of Land Management

The Office of Land Management (OLM) oversees nearly 400 individual parcels of land and institutes a wide variety of programs and activities advocating outdoor recreation through sustainable use, conservation, and preservation. The Historic Sites Division of the Office of Land Management oversees 56 Historic Sites, Monuments, and Memorials. OLM facilitates activities from small group interpretive programming at Historical Sites, to hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, and camping.

Work Hours: Monday-Friday; 8:30am-5:00pm w/ 1 hour lunch
Headquarter Location: IDNR Headquarters, 1 Natural Resources Wy, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Vicky Fowler
Email: Vicky.Fowler@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5387
Posting Group: Leadership & Management

Agency statement

Charged with preserving, protecting, and promoting Illinois’ natural resources, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) employees oversee water, wildlife, wetlands and oil wells, parks, historic sites – and everything in between. Employment opportunities vary greatly, often providing employees the chance to work indoors and out in a dynamic yet relaxed environment. Working for the State of Illinois, IDNR employees receive excellent benefits, including health, vision and dental insurance; a retirement plan and deferred compensation options; state holidays and other time off; as well as pre-tax benefit programs; flexible/remote work schedules may be available for certain positions.

Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.

Candidates hired into a term position shall be appointed for a term of 4 years and are subject to a probationary period. The term may be renewed for successive four-year terms at the Director of the Department of Natural Resources’s discretion.

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 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: