CEJA Small Business Manager

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is seeking to hire a purpose-driven, initiative-taking individual interested in assisting small businesses with accessing clean energy related contracts to serve as the Office of Entrepreneurship, Innovation & Technology’s (EIT’s) Clean Energy Jobs Act (CEJA) Small Business Manager. EIT supports entrepreneurs through providing information, confidential professional business guidance, training, grants, tax incentives and other resources to start-up and existing small businesses. The position would be responsible for managing and administering the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator and Clean Energy Primes Accelerator Programs. We invite qualified applicants to apply for the position of EIT’s CEJA Small Business Manager and help DCEO to continue to provide top-notch customer service to Illinois’ small businesses.

Job Responsibilities

• Manages, coordinates, and evaluates all activities for the Clean Energy Contractor Incubator (CECI) and Clean Energy Primes Accelerator (CEPA) Programs under the Climate & Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
• Develops comprehensive speeches and presentations providing information regarding CEJA Programs and report outcomes.
• Conducts monitoring, performance and fiscal reviews of Clean Energy Contractor Incubator and Clean Energy Primes Accelerator Programs grantees.
• Serves as working supervisor.
• Aligns program operations with the Illinois Chief Procurement Office, Business Enterprise Program (CMS), Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (IDOT), public utilities, International Trade Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and Minority and Female Business Enterprise Programs on an interagency and intra-agency basis.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualificataions

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of 4 years of college. 
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefer at least four (4) years of professional experience with programmatic or financial management experience.
• Prefer at least three (3) years of professional experience managing economic development programs.
• Prefer at least three (3) years of professional experience assisting small businesses with gaining access to federal, state, and/or local contracting opportunities.
• Prefer at least two (2) years of professional experience working with businesses in the clean energy sector. 
• Prefer at least three (3) years of professional experience managing a business assistance program.
• Prefer at least three (3) years of professional experience administering grants.

 

Conditions of Employment

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

 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 is to support and maintain a climate that enables a strong economy for our customers - taxpayers, businesses, workers and communities - by keeping, attracting and growing businesses, maintaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing communities so that the climate here is one in which businesses, small and large, and workers, can succeed to the greatest extent possible. The Illinois Department of Commerce delivers impactful and efficient programs and services through focused on business, community, and workforce development.