Apply »

PROGRAM ASSOCIATE I

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at CMS.DisabilityResCen@illinois.gov or call (217) 524-7514 for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students.  To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history.  Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history.  To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.
Date:  Nov 18, 2025
Location: 

Chicago, IL, US, 60601

Job Requisition ID:  51713

Job Requisition ID: 51713 
Closing Date: 12/18/2025
​Agency: Illinois Power Agency
Salary: $65,000 - $73,500
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Cook; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Other; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Sangamon; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford
Number of Vacancies: 1

 

****A COVER LETTER AND RESUME IS REQUIRED FOR THIS JOB POSTING****

Please attach a Cover Letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), and three professional references in the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of the documents requested. 

 

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

 

 

Work Hours:  M-F; 9AM - 5PM 
Headquarter Location: 180 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60601 
Work County: Cook
Email: ipa.hr@illinois.gov
Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources; Fiscal, Finance & Procurement; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; Social Services

Illinois Power Agency

Program Associate I

 

The Illinois Power Agency (Agency) is seeking a Program Associate I. The Program Associate I positions is an entry-level position that will directly support the Illinois Shines program (statutorily known as the Adjustable Block Program) and is positioned under the direction of the Illinois Shines Program Manager. The Program Associate I will aid in the development and implementation of the Program, which includes providing incentives for distributed generation and community solar projects. Prospective applicants should review the Illinois Shines Program website for more information, found at: https://illinoisshines.com/  

 

The Illinois Power Agency is an independent State Agency created in 2007 to develop annual electricity procurement plans and renewable resources procurement plans and to conduct procurement events to ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service for the default supply customers of Illinois electric utilities. The Agency also conducts procurements and administers programs that promote the development of renewable energy resources in accordance with the State Renewable Portfolio Standard. For more information about the Agency, please refer to: https://ipa.illinois.gov/

 

All applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications defined below for the Program Associate I to be considered for this position.

 

Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Tracking projects related to the Agency’s Illinois Shines program
  • Reviewing updates to Program requirements, including reviewing and reporting on Program compliance by Program participants
  • Supporting the implementation of program processes, which may include topics such as Program participant application reviews, project submission reviews, marketing and communications management, customer and developer outreach, and issue resolution
  • Completing administrative Program activities, such as project submission reviews, appeals, data requests, extensions, and standardized updates; this may also include supporting ongoing reporting and standardized communications.
  • Interfacing with the Illinois Shines third‐party Program Administrator to support ongoing project activities, which may include process documentation, review of forms and reports, review of communications, and research into issue background and resolution
  • Supporting the tracking and reporting on Program metrics and key performance indicators
  • Attending regular meetings with the third‐party Program Administrator and reporting back to team/managing work from these meetings
  • Translating or reviewing translation of Program materials (if bi-lingual)
  • Supporting stakeholder outreach and collaboration activities to support Program goals and initiatives (conferences, presentations, webinars, etc.)
  • Supporting other Program‐related tasks on an ad hoc basis

 

 

Minimum Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree.
  • 0-2 years of applicable work experience
  • The ability to maintain strong attention to detail across multiple, ongoing projects
  • Proficient writing and editing skills
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including experience using Excel for data aggregation and analysis
  • A track record of meeting deadlines and successfully closing out tasks
  • The ability to work with a collaborative and agile team, taking on new assignments as needed

 

 

Desired Qualifications:

  • Degree in public policy, political science, environmental studies, environmental engineering, energy engineering, project management, or a related field (interest or coursework in renewable energy, or environmental policy).
  • Job experience and/or coursework in energy, sustainability, engineering, political science, with a focus on renewable energy or solar specifically
  • Experience working in the public sector
  • Direct experience supporting customer programs, including development and/or implementation of such programs; experience with distributed energy resources (DERs) or distributed generation resource programs; supporting operations and/or logistics including contractor/vendor management, stakeholder communications, formal KPI management and reporting, and customer management.
  • Customer/client service experience
  • Fluency in Spanish to assist with the translation or translation review of Program materials

 

 

The Program Associate I 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: $65,000 – 73,500. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is a hybrid position and is inclusive of periodic in-office work as defined by the Agency.

 

 

To apply, please submit a cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, a 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.

 

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com


Nearest Major Market: Chicago

Apply »