Executive I - Environmental Justice Program Coordinator

About the role

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IEPA) is seeking a Spanish-speaking Executive I Environmental Justice (EJ) Program Coordinator in Chicago. The role strengthens community engagement by acting as a bridge between IEPA's technical programs and residents in areas of environmental justice concern, expanding public participation, improving language access and supporting community involvement in environmental decision-making. It also leads efforts to develop and promote Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), which let regulated entities invest in community-benefiting projects when resolving enforcement actions.

Key responsibilities

• Under direction, coordinate the policy implementation function of the Office of Environmental Justice, organizing, planning, executing, controlling and evaluating the Illinois EJ Enforcement Strategy, Enhanced Public Participation Plan and other EJ policies and initiatives.
• Implement, plan and evaluate the Illinois EPA Language Access Plan, including Spanish translation and interpretation of non-confidential, publicly available information.
• Organize, plan and administer the Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) program.
• Plan and administer, on behalf of the EJ Officer, the operational functions of the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice.

Required profile

• Knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to four years of college, preferably with coursework in business or public administration.
• One year of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, or completion of an agency-approved professional management training program.
• Proficiency in translating written documents between English and Spanish, and in verbal interpretation between them.
• Written and verbal fluency in Spanish (option SS).
• Current and valid driver's license, ability to travel and to pass a name-based background check.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis; the position is open to bilingual Spanish speakers.

Preferred qualifications

• At least one year of experience with environmental justice programs, community engagement initiatives or public-facing environmental programs.
• Experience responding to public inquiries on environmental, community or regulatory issues, and building relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, regulated entities or government partners.
• Experience developing, monitoring or evaluating program goals, metrics or compliance activities, and using mapping or data tracking tools.
• Experience implementing language access initiatives, presenting to diverse audiences and managing programs.
• Experience with state and federal environmental governance and regulatory structures.

What we offer

• Anticipated starting salary of $6,135 per month, full range $6,135-$8,790 per month.
• 37 1/2-hour work week, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm with a 1-hour lunch; anticipated hybrid schedule with occasional reporting to headquarters.
• Paid time off for vacation, sick or personal leave and holidays, pension and other retirement benefits, tuition reimbursement, and medical, dental, vision and life insurance eligibility on day one.

Applications must be submitted electronically through the State of Illinois online application system; applications by email or paper are not accepted. The position is a union position, and applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis.