BROADBAND POLICY MANAGER

Position Overview

Illinois is set to receive more than $1 billion to implement two federally funded grant programs, the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program and the Digital Equity Act Capacity Grant, building upon its legacy $350 million Connect Illinois broadband deployment program. The goal of these initiatives is to achieve universal broadband connectivity statewide, which includes a quality internet connection to each household and programs that build skills among covered populations to enable internet usage to meet their essential needs. Implementing these programs requires coordination across several stakeholders – local governments, internet service providers, industry associations, non-profits, community anchor institutions like schools, libraries, and hospitals, and more. The programs also require policy development, grant program design and management, and communication and relationship building across diverse stakeholder groups. The policy analyst will play an integral role in a mission-driven team, contributing policy analysis, research, writing, coordination, and communication to the Office of Broadband as it implements two historic broadband and digital equity programs, and lays the groundwork for closing the digital divide once and for all. We welcome all to apply.

Essential Functions

• Conducts research and policy analysis, creates written materials, and makes policy recommendations.
• Conducts research on broadband and digital equity policies and best practices and incorporates into team practices and program implementation.
• Creates, manages, and implements project plans.
• Engages with external stakeholders.
• Serves as full-line supervisor.
• Analyzes and visualizes data to inform broadband and digital equity policies and practices.
• 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 to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business or public administration, with coursework in political science, public policy, business administration, journalism, communications, information technology, or a comparable area of focus.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to three (3) years of progressively administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Specialized Skills

• Requires at least five (5) years of experience designing and implementing broadband programming.
• Requires at least five (5) years of broadband stakeholder management.
• Requires at least four (4) years of experience supporting non-profit or public sector broadband policy initiatives.
• Requires at least two (2) years of experience collaborating with lawmakers on broadband policy.
• Requires at least one (1) year of experience supporting the implementation of the Digital Equity Act and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.

Preferred Qualifications

• Requires at least five (5) years of experience designing and implementing broadband programming.
• Requires at least five (5) years of broadband stakeholder management.
• Requires at least four (4) years of experience supporting non-profit or public sector broadband policy initiatives.
• Requires at least two (2) years of experience collaborating with lawmakers on broadband policy.
• Requires at least one (1) year of experience supporting the implementation of the Digital Equity Act and Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program.
• Prefers skills in data analysis.
• Prefers knowledge of federal and local broadband and telecommunications policy, guidance, and programs.
• Prefers a Master’s degree in public policy, public administration, data analysis, information technology, business administration, or a comparable area of focus.
• Prefers advanced proficiency in Microsoft PowerPoint, Excel, and Word.
• Prefers advanced proficiency in writing policy memos and communicating effectively through presentations.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

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

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

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.