Senior Policy Manager

About the Organization

Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the environment. Representing over 130 environmental organizations, IEC carries out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois through education, advocacy, and movement building.

IEC advances sound environmental laws and policies at all levels of government by bringing together the Illinois environmental community to influence decision-makers and ensure clean air, clean water, and healthy communities. From lobbying at the State Capitol to building consensus around an annual environmental agenda, IEC takes pride in leading our environmental movement in Illinois. We coordinate our affiliate member organizations to share resources, mobilize supporters, and respond quickly to the most pressing issues facing the environment in Illinois.

IEC also supports environmental activists across the state, building programs to cultivate the next generation of environmental leadership, such as our Young Professionals Board, Community Council, annual environmental scorecards, and other educational programs like our Civics for Environmentalists and Lunch & Learn series.

About the Position

The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF), IEC’s 501c3 sister organization, is looking for a sr. policy manager to support our state government affairs work. They will join a team of four and report to the City Government Affairs Director, working closely with our programs, communications and development teams to execute on our work.

This position will be located in Chicago, IL and candidates must reside within Illinois. This full-time position will be hybrid from our Chicago office.

About You

We are seeking someone with strong project management and legislative experience to support our legislative priorities across six issue areas: conservation, agriculture, clean energy, equitable transportation, clean water, zero waste. This person should be ready to dive into established processes with a willingness and interest in adjusting and improving on those systems to create efficiency in our work. This person will work with IEC staff to educate lawmakers, develop policy, and move forward with change that creates a strong and healthy environment in Illinois. The proposed focus areas for this position are Great Lakes, Drinking Water, and Plastics.

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

Responsibilities

• 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 decisionmakers 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 strategies and implement tactics.
• Policy and Advocacy
  • Build relationships with and join meetings with state stakeholders, decision-makers, and legislators,
  • Build relationships with identified stakeholders through IEC power analysis to ensure environmental champions in targeted regions.
  • Develop legislative priorities with coalition partners and support drafting of bills for our water and waste priorities.
  • Develop policy expertise in issue areas as assigned, including an understanding of current legislation and a comparison to laws in other locations. This may include great lakes, drinking water, and plastics.
• Organizational Leadership
  • Maintain contact with grantors to show IEC’s accomplishments and tasks being performed. Keep an active list of activities that will fulfill grant requirements
  • Contribute to fundraising efforts, including grant applications & foundation reporting related to IEC’s advocacy work.

Physical Requirements: Have the ability to:

• Lift and carry items up to 25 pounds.
• Operate a computer.
• Sit at a desk for extended periods.
• Stand, walk, and be on your feet outdoors for extended periods.
• Communicate and exchange information.

Qualifications

• Previous work experience in similar positions.
• 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 using both the Microsoft and Google software suites.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and work independently.
• Interest in environmental issues and policies.
• Issue expertise in environmental issues.
• Legal background optional, but desired.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IEC/IECEF is an equal opportunity employer 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 full-time regular position is located in Chicago, Illinois. Candidates must reside in Illinois. Benefits include health insurance, dental insurance, a 401(k) plan, life insurance, and vacation. The salary range is $65-84K, commensurate with experience. A cover letter MUST include salary requirements. Candidates with salary requirements above the listed salary range will not be considered.