Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Illinois Power Agency seeks a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Outreach Specialist to lead community outreach initiatives, coordinate stakeholder engagement and communications, and support partnership development to increase awareness and participation in the Agency’s equity initiatives and renewable energy programs.

This field-based role requires regular travel across Illinois, including overnight trips, and the ideal candidate is an excellent communicator with strong organizational and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Social Work, or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years coordinating outreach programs and community engagement.
• Experience engaging underserved communities.
• Strong organization and multiple-priority management.
• Data collection, metrics, and reporting experience.
• Planning meetings, events, trainings, or community activities.
• MS Office 365 proficiency: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and in an agile team.
• Experience advancing DEI initiatives.
• Willingness to travel across Illinois, including overnight stays.

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement targeted outreach initiatives engaging diverse communities to increase equity program participation.
• Promote the Energy Workforce Equity Portal during outreach activities.
• Represent the Agency at career fairs, community events, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other related events.
• Plan, coordinate and facilitate outreach meetings, presentations, trainings, listening sessions, and informational events.
• Research, compile, and share information about workforce development programs and resources.
• Coordinate stakeholder communications and grow distribution lists.
• Collaborate with DEI team to develop outreach materials and collateral.
• Respond to inquiries from external stakeholders and refer questions as needed.
• Gather, document, and report feedback from stakeholders for program improvement.
• Assist with coordination of the DEI Advisory Committee and track outreach metrics.

Skills

Strong organizational and projectCoord

Travel willingness

Outreach program experience

DEI initiatives experience

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Social Work, or related field, or equivalent experience

Tools

MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook)

Job description

Class Title: DIVERSITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR - 69623

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 1 Work Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm

Headquarter Location: 180 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60601

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 top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist

The Illinois Power Agency is seeking a Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Outreach Specialist to support the growth of diversity, equity, and inclusion in Illinois’ expanding clean energy economy. Under the guidance of the DEI Partnerships Manager, the Outreach Specialist will lead the implementation of community outreach initiatives, coordinate stakeholder engagement and communications, and support partnership development to increase awareness of and participation in the Agency’s equity initiatives and renewable energy programs. This role will have a particular focus on engaging businesses and individuals from communities that have historically been excluded from economic opportunities within the clean energy sector.

This position serves as one of the Agency's primary community-facing representatives, connecting job seekers, employers, community-based organizations, workforce development partners, educational institutions, and other clean energy stakeholders with Agency resources and opportunities. This position will also manage ongoing stakeholder communications, maintain relationships with outreach partners, and gather community feedback to inform the Agency’s equity initiatives. This is a field-based position requiring regular travel throughout Illinois, including overnight travel to conduct outreach and support community events, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and trainings. The ideal candidate is an excellent communicator and relationship builder with strong organizational and project coordination skills and a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in Illinois’ clean energy economy.

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.

Outreach Initiatives

Plan and implement targeted outreach initiatives engaging Equity Investment Eligible Communities (EIECs), Equity Eligible Persons (EEPs), Equity Eligible Contractors (EECs), other vendors and contractors, community-based organizations, workforce development organizations, educational institutions,+ industry associations, and other clean energy stakeholders to increase awareness of and participation in the Agency's equity initiatives and renewable energy programs.

Promote the Energy Workforce Equity Portal during outreach activities and assist stakeholders in navigating the website, enrolling eligible individuals as Equity Eligible Persons, and supporting clean energy companies, EEPs, and EECs access the website resources and information.

Represent the Agency at career fairs, community and industry events, stakeholder meetings, conferences, and other related events throughout Illinois.

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate outreach meetings, presentations, trainings, listening sessions, and informational events, both virtually and in-person.

Research, compile, and maintain information about workforce development programs, business support, technical assistance, small business financing, and other resources offered by partner organizations and state agencies. Coordinate the development and implementation of stakeholder communications (e.g. newsletters, announcements), including growing and maintaining stakeholder distribution lists, developing content, and leading outreach campaigns.

Collaborate with the DEI team, Communications team, and program teams to develop and enhance outreach collateral, resources, websites, presentations, and other materials related to the Agency’s equity initiatives and renewable energy programs.

Respond to inquiries and comments from external stakeholders regarding Agency equity initiatives, outreach activities, and renewable energy programs, referring technical and policy questions to appropriate staff when necessary.

Gather, document, and report feedback from EEPs, EECs, EIECs, and other clean energy stakeholders, identifying recurring needs, barriers, and opportunities for improvement, and share finding with the DEI Partnerships Manager, DEI Bureau, and program teams to increase equity and inclusion in the Agency's programs and procurements.

Partnership Support

Assist with the coordination of the DEI Advisory Committee, including scheduling meetings, developing materials and resources, supporting meeting facilitation, tracking follow-up actions, and communicating with committee members.

Track outreach activities, stakeholder engagement, partnership development, and related performance metrics, and prepare reports, presentations, and summaries to assess progress and inform planning.

Participate in cross-functional teams to integrate equity considerations into Agency programs and initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration, Social Work, or related field, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three or more years of professional experience planning, coordinating, or conducting outreach programs and community engagement. Experience in developing stakeholder communications/newsletters, presentations, outreach materials, or other resources for diverse audiences.
• Experience implementing targeted outreach strategies to engage underserved or underrepresented communities.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Skilled in collecting, organizing, and reporting data, performance metrics, and feedback from outreach activities and stakeholder engagements.
• Experience planning and coordinating meetings, events, trainings, or community engagement activities.
• Proficiency using MS Office 365 applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, and Outlook.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an agile team environment.
• Experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Experience with project management tools.
• Interest in process improvements and cross-functional team work.
• Requires ability to travel throughout Illinois, including occasional overnight travel in the performance of duties.

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist 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.

The position is a hybrid position and will require extensive field work and occasional office work.