BROADBAND PERMITTING AND POLICY COORDINATOR

Position Overview

Illinois is embarking on a historic opportunity to achieve universal broadband connectivity, a state where every Illinoisan will have access to high quality, affordable internet, along with the skills and support needed to use the internet to meet their full potential. In 2025, the Illinois Office of Broadband will launch the $1 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program, known as Connect Illinois Round 4, which aims to connect all households, businesses, and community anchor institutions to broadband. With a deployment of this size, clear and accessible permitting and land access policies are of paramount importance. To facilitate this, the Office of Broadband seeks a Broadband Permitting & Policy Coordinator. The Coordinator will serve as a trusted liaison between government and broadband stakeholders, helping them navigate processes, policies, and regulations to successfully deploy broadband statewide. The coordinator will also support project management, research, and communications efforts around policy impacting broadband deployment. The Office of Broadband seeks an organized, process-oriented communicator who can conduct research efficiently, build strong relationships, and creatively solve problems among a wide variety of stakeholders. We welcome all to apply.

Essential Functions

• Implements policy for the total administrative process of the broadband permitting program by establishing and maintaining relationships with government stakeholders at the local, state, and federal levels.
• Serves as a liaison between and collaborator with broadband and government stakeholders in order to:
  • Assists broadband stakeholders in navigating permitting and related policies and processes (i.e., clarifying regulatory requirements for broadband stakeholders and helping them avoid delays and unnecessary complications during deployment).
  • Collaborate with government agencies to provide practical solutions to expedite broadband permitting and related processes with the goal of completing projects in expanded timelines and expanding broadband access.
  • Captures and analyzes relevant data regarding broadband permitting and related policies in order to evaluate the efficacy of current processes.
• Creates and maintains documentation related to permitting and broadband access policies:
  • Develops comprehensive guides for both government and broadband stakeholders to ensure clarity and ease of understanding when it comes to broadband policies and permitting.
  •  Maintains up-to-date records of all relevant policies, procedures, and regulations related to broadband deployment, ensuring that stakeholders have access to the latest information.
  • Organizes detailed reports that track permitting progress, challenges, and successes, helping to identify trends and areas for improvement in broadband deployment efforts.
• Provides strategic support for project management, research initiatives, communication strategies, and policy development efforts related to broadband deployment and workforce development initiatives.
• Serves as an external-facing representative of the Illinois Office of Broadband, including public presentations, meetings, and problem-solving with key broadband stakeholders.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration.
• Requires two (2) years of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Specialized Skills

Of the years of experience noted above:

• Requires at least one (1) year of experience interacting with external stakeholders in a professional setting.
• Requires at least six (6) months of experience serving in a government or government-facing role.
• Requires at least two (2) years of experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Requires at least six (6) months of experience in broadband deployment, permitting processes, or other related public sector area of focus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience interacting with external stakeholders in a professional setting.
• Prefers at least six (6) months of experience serving in a government or government-facing role.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience managing complex projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Prefers at least six (6) months of experience in broadband deployment, permitting processes, or other related public sector area of focus.
• Prefers strong written and oral communication skills.
• Prefers a demonstrated interest in public policy, broadband/digital inclusion, or other related topic.
• Prefers advanced knowledge in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and training to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is to create equitable economic opportunities across the State of Illinois. By attracting and supporting major job creators, investing in communities, strengthening Illinois’ world-class workforce, fostering innovation, and ushering in the new clean energy economy, DCEO works to fortify Illinois’ reputation as a global economic powerhouse while ensuring Illinois is the best state to live, work and do business.