Illinois Power Agency

Associate Legal Counsel – Illinois Shines

The Illinois Power Agency is seeking an Associate Legal Counsel. The Associate Legal Counsel – Illinois Shines will work on cutting edge legal and policy issues in a rapidly evolving field under the direction of the Deputy Legal Counsel.  Responsibilities under this position will primarily focus on implementation of the Illinois Shines program but may include other legal assignments as required by the Agency.  These opportunities include the ongoing management of renewable energy incentive programs, energy policy and procurement, equity and workforce requirements, labor law, contract development, legislative review, litigation, and administrative law. 

The Illinois Power Agency is an independent State Agency created in 2007 to develop annual plans to ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service for Illinois residents and to increase the development of renewable energy generation in Illinois. The Agency also conducts procurements and administers programs that implement the State Renewable Portfolio Standard, including the Illinois Shines Program. Illinois Shines provides incentives for the development of distributed generation solar and community solar projects that meet program criteria. The program includes special categories for projects located at public schools, community solar projects that involve significant community involvement, and projects submitted by equity eligible contractors.  For more information about the Illinois Power Agency, please our website at https://ipa.illinois.gov.  For more information about Illinois Shines, please visit the program website at https://illinoisshines.com. 

 Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of Illinois Shines program requirements and guidelines and assist in drafting biennial revisions to the Agency’s Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan.
• Develop IPA positions, draft legal briefs and memoranda, and represent the Agency along with the Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel in litigation before the Illinois Commerce Commission, including in docketed proceedings seeking approval of the IPA’s Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan and other proceedings implicating Agency interests or jurisdiction.
• Advise the Chief Legal Counsel, Planning and Procurement Bureau Chief, and program managers on interpretation of the Illinois Power Agency Act, the Public Utilities Act, and other applicable State and federal laws and regulations as they apply to the Illinois Shines program.
• Research and formulate guidance on legal issues related to Illinois Shines (and potentially other IPA programs and activities) for both internal and external constituencies.
• Review and analyze proposed legislation, including legislation impacting the Illinois Shines programs or modifications future modifications to the program, in collaboration with the Chief Legal Counsel, Deputy Legal Counsel, and other Agency staff. 
• Advise Agency and Illinois Shines staff on responses to program participant requests, draft responses to appeals, and manage other constituent issues.
• Participate in Agency-level policy discussions related to Illinois Shines; work directly with Agency management to design implementation of Illinois Shines; coordinate with staff and consultants in review and analysis of agency programs and procurements to ensure policy objectives are met.
• Support staff in responding to FOIA requests, Illinois Department of Labor investigations, and other inter-agency or public reporting processes.
• Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with the Illinois bar.  The Agency will also consider applications from individuals with pending membership in Illinois bar, or membership in another state bar and willingness to take the Illinois bar exam within 6 months.
• Experience in the energy, environmental, sustainability, public policy, and/or public interest fields.
• Motivated independent worker, comfortable taking the lead on assigned issues.  
• Strong legal research, writing (especially persuasive writing), and editing skills.
• Attention to detail, ability to become familiar with technical and complex information on short time frames.
• Strong critical thinking and analytic skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively within a fast-paced, dynamic, and creative environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least two (2) years of experience with renewable energy programs or development, energy or sustainability policy, administrative law, or public interest fields.
• Strong interest in clean energy policy, particularly solar energy.

The Associate Legal Counsel is prohibited from: (i) owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the voting capital stock of an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (ii) being in any chain of successive ownership of 5% or more of the voting capital stock of any electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (iii) receiving any form of compensation, fee, payment, or other consideration from an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier, including legal fees, consulting fees, bonuses, or other sums. These limitations do not apply to any compensation received pursuant to a defined benefit plan or other form of deferred compensation, provided that the individual has otherwise severed all ties to the utility, power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier.

This is a merit compensation position.  Position Salary Range: $75,000 - $90,000.  Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.  The position is a hybrid position and may require in-office work periodically.

To apply, please submit a cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, resume, and three professional references along with your online application. Applications without a cover letter describing the applicant’s relevant experience and why the applicant would be a strong candidate for this position will not be reviewed for consideration. No phone calls please.

The Illinois Power Agency is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.