CEJA CAPACITY GRANT MANAGER

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking a highly skilled CEJA Capacity Grant Manager (Senior Public Service Administrator) to join the Office of Energy & Business Utility. This position plays a pivotal role in driving meaningful change by supporting small businesses, community-based organizations, and stakeholders in environmental justice and R3 communities. As a key team member, you will leverage your administrative expertise to build and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, funding partners, and industry leaders. The ideal candidate will also apply their knowledge of clean energy trends to connect communities with emerging opportunities while leading and developing a high-performing team to achieve critical programmatic goals. This is an exciting opportunity to make a lasting impact—we welcome you to apply to join us in shaping a more sustainable and equitable future!

Essential Functions

• Oversee the development and maintenance of the Climate Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Capacity Grant Program.
• Manage Inter-Government Agreements (IGA), external contractors, and grantees.
• Work in partnership with the CEJA Regional Administrators and additional CEJA staff at DCEO and across state agencies to advance the goals of the capacity building grant and connectivity of the CEJA ecosystem.
• Research, develop, and write proposals to secure the viability of the Capacity Grant programming outcomes over the life of the CEJA. Support other DCEO offices in providing similar programming as requested.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Requirements

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to complete four (4) years of college, preferably with courses in business, public administration, non-profit management, social work or related fields of study.
• Requires prior experience equivalent to four years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers two (2) or more years of experience running a small business or community-based organization.
• Prefers three (3) or more years of experience in a supervisory role with demonstrated success of onboarding, effectively managing, and lead a team to achieve programmatic goals.
• Prefers three (3) or more years experience developing partnerships and relationships with community-based organizations, stakeholders, funding partners ideally in environmental justice and/or R3 communities.
• Prefer three (3) or more years developing and delivering in-person and virtual presentations to the public, leadership, and stakeholders.
• Prefer two (2) or more years of experience working in the clearn energy industry including an awareness of industry trends and activities and working with employer or sector partners.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires completion of a background check and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This may require the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• 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 Ethis Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statement of Economic Interest with the Office of 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.

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.