Tiara Jones is a Revenue Analyst with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) in Chicago, Illinois. Tiara performs unemployment insurance revenue account maintenance for employer accounts, which involves communicating with employers and other Illinois stakeholders regarding registrations, terminations, wage report filings, and applications of the Illinois Unemployment Insurance Act.
Prior to joining IDES, Tiara worked as a caseworker for the Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS). At DHS, she managed Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) caseloads including the provision of case management services related to public welfare assistance, compliance with the Personal Responsibility Work Opportunity Act (PRWOA) of 1996, and workforce development. Early in her career, Tiara spent five years working in the Financial Services Industry.
Tiara reports that some of the things she enjoys most about her job are the people, interpreting the cyclical nature of financial markets and knowing she’s contributing to the economic stability and viability of her state.
Tiara discovered IAWP through a conversation with her manager, Jennifer Allen. This conversation was followed by a very informative presentation from fellow IAWP Board Member, Troy McMillan. Tiara enjoys networking with other workforce professionals and participating in IAWP training programs, offered through her agency. As a strong proponent of lifelong learning, Tiara believes that IAWP provides valuable growth and development opportunities. Some of the learning opportunities she likes most are the annual Workforce Development Conferences, lunch-and-learn gatherings and local educational seminars.
Earlier this year, Tiara completed the Workforce Professional Development Program and feels that the knowledge she gained was invaluable in terms of the workforce profession and her career.
Tiara is currently serving her second-year as vice president of the Illinois Chapter of IAWP and is also a member of the professional development committee.
For the future, Tiara looks forward to engaging with workforce partners and continuing to ensure that individuals are aware of the personal and professional development opportunities available through IAWP.