Hearing and Speech Specialist (Speech Language Pathology)

About the role

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Developmental Disabilities, is hiring a Hearing and Speech Specialist for the Ludeman Developmental Center in Park Forest, Illinois. The specialist provides comprehensive speech and language services to assigned individuals, works as part of an interdisciplinary team and signs for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. The position is full-time, salaried and union-covered.

Key responsibilities

• Provide clinical services covering testing, evaluation and treatment and therapy regimens for communication, swallowing and/or hearing disorders.
• Conduct assessments of communication disorders and develop activities and programs to stimulate speech and language development.
• Serve as a member of the Interdisciplinary Team, develop individual comprehensive service plans and prepare detailed written and verbal reports.
• Use manual communication skills with individuals who are deaf and/or hard of hearing.
• Provide clinical supervision to students, lower-level staff and other service providers, including interns and practicum students.

Required profile

• Master's degree in speech-language pathology or audiology from an approved program.
• Licensed to practice speech-language pathology or audiology by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation.
• Valid Professional Educator License with speech-language pathologist endorsement (teaching or non-teaching).
• Ability to communicate in sign language at an advanced skill level; bilingual pay applies.
• Willingness to work after business hours, weekends and holidays, and to travel and use office equipment.

Required skills

• Advanced sign language (Manual Communication)
• Speech-language pathology and audiology assessment and intervention

What we offer

• Anticipated salary of $6,820-$9,875 per month ($81,840-$118,500 per year) plus bilingual pay.
• Pension program and competitive group insurance (health, life, dental, vision).
• 12 paid sick days, 13 paid holidays, 10-25 vacation days and 3 personal business days.
• Flexible schedules where available, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and deferred compensation program.
• Pre-tax programs, GI Bill benefits for veterans and a 5% salary differential for bilingual positions.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the State of Illinois online application system; applications by email or paper are not accepted. The closing date is November 18, 2026.