Director of Policy, Energy - Chicago - Illinois Environmental Council

Description

Only applications received by e-mail will be considered.

To apply please send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to:

Chelsea Biggs, Chief of Staff: cbiggs@ilenviro.org

About the Position

The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a self-motivated and experienced individual for the role of Director of Policy, Energy. This role will join the energy programs team as an expert in power sector advocacy, supporting our work in coalition building, stakeholder education, and advocacy. This full-time position is responsible for supporting the organization's energy policy agenda with an emphasis on the power sector and the deployment of renewable energy across Illinois. This role will be supervised by the Chief of Staff.

This position can be located in Springfield or Chicago, IL. The position is full-time and may include evening and weekend work, and occasional travel within Illinois. 

About You

We're looking for someone who is excited by the challenge of addressing the biggest issues facing Illinois. You should be a stellar communicator with excellent attention to detail who enjoys digging into legislative issues and working with broad coalitions of partners to build power and execute on legislative priorities.

We are a small, dynamic team that relies on each other to produce high-quality work.

We strongly encourage candidates from all different backgrounds and identities to apply. Each new hire is an opportunity for us to bring in a different perspective, and we are always eager to further diversify our organization. IEC/IECEF is committed to building an inclusive, supportive place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Responsibilities

Director of Policy, Energy, will be responsible for the following.  

• Education
• Draft content for educational materials for key stakeholders.
• Communicate environmental priorities through public speaking and other outreach.
• Organize and conduct events and tours with decision-makers and key stakeholders.
• Coalition Building
• Administer and lead coalitions, as assigned, including setting agendas, meeting times and location, group messaging, goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Consult our affiliates to build on their expertise in certain fields.
• Coordinate with partner organizations to develop and implement effective strategies and tactics.
• Policy and Advocacy
• Under the guidance of the IEC legislative team, build relationships with and join meetings with legislators and decision-makers.
• Under the guidance of the IEC legislative team, testify in the state legislature on clean energy topics.
• Build relationships with identified stakeholders through IEC power analysis to ensure environmental champions in targeted regions.
• Develop legislative priorities with coalition partners and support the drafting of bills for our clean energy priorities.
• Track policy trends and proposed local renewable energy projects and their respective decision timelines (in coordination and with support from external partners).
• Support tracking implementation of the Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act.
• Develop policy expertise in issue areas as assigned, including an understanding of current legislation and comparative laws in other locations, with a focus on the power sector (e.g., grid infrastructure, energy markets, large energy users such as data centers),  building decarbonization, and the clean energy economy.
• Organizational Leadership
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including grant applications & foundation reporting related to IEC's advocacy work.
• Connect and engage with IEC affiliate members as assigned.

Other items as assigned

Qualifications

• Strong knowledge of clean energy policy and programs, as well as the Illinois policy-making process.
• Advocacy and/or political campaigns experience is a plus.
• Passion for environmental advocacy, democracy, and environmental justice.
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Strong time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups and people.
• Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship work.
• Proficiency in using Zoom and both the Microsoft and Google software suites.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and work independently.
• Issue expertise in environmental and climate issues.
• Strong writing skills — able to draft concise summaries, briefs, or reports.
• Experience or interest in public interest work, advocacy, or lawmaking.

Physical Requirements: Have the ability to:

• Operate a computer.
• Sit at a desk for extended periods.
• Ability to participate in meetings, events, or activities, including outdoor settings, that may extend over long periods.
• Communicate and exchange information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IEC/IECEF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, gender expression or identity, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry, religion, pregnancy, certain arrest or criminal history records, homelessness, and use of lawful products outside of work during non-working hours, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Equity, Allyship and Powerbuilding Values

IEC/IECEF is always working to ensure that everyone on our team feels engaged and supported in all areas of the organization's operations as we work to become a fully inclusive, multicultural, and anti-racist organization.

We are only as powerful as the people in our movement and those we serve. Building power for people and our environment in Illinois requires us to actively combat social and political power dynamics that disenfranchise marginalized communities across a broad range of issues beyond those that fall squarely within traditional environmental policy. When marginalized communities are empowered, environmental protections become more possible. Thus we are called to stand in solidarity as allies with those fighting for justice and to strengthen our democratic institutions where power drives policy change.

About Our Pay and Benefits

The Director position is a full-time permanent position located in Springfield or Chicago, IL. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, and vacation. Salary range is $80,000 to $100,000, commensurate with experience. Cover letter MUST include salary requirements. Candidates with salary requirements above the listed salary range will not be considered.

How to Apply

Introduce yourself to us as a colleague. Show us your future here and let us know what you'd bring to our organization We value great writers, so be yourself, be creative, and take your time with the application.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with the closing date for the posting on 3/6/2026.

To apply please send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to:

Chelsea Biggs, Chief of Staff: cbiggs@ilenviro.org