Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist

State of Illinois; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Illinois Power Agency is seeking a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist to advance DEI in Illinois’ clean energy economy. You will lead community outreach, coordinate stakeholder engagement, and support partnership development to increase awareness of equity initiatives and programs.

The role involves regular travel throughout Illinois, engaging businesses and communities historically excluded from opportunities in the clean energy sector.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field, or equivalent experience.
• 3+ years planning, coordinating, or conducting outreach and community engagement.
• Experience creating stakeholder communications, newsletters, and outreach materials.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and project coordination skills.
• Proficiency with MS Office 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Outlook).

Responsibilities

• Plan and implement targeted outreach engaging diverse communities.
• Promote the Energy Workforce Equity Portal and assist users.
• Represent the Agency at career fairs and events across Illinois.
• Coordinate outreach meetings, trainings, and informational events.
• Track outreach activities and report progress to leadership.

Skills

Outreach planning

Community engagement

Stakeholder communication

Public speaking

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s degree in public administration or related field

Tools

MS Office 365

Job description

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Outreach Specialist

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 [e-mail] or call [phone] 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.

Job Requisition ID: 59423
Closing Date: 11/07/2026
Agency: Illinois Power Agency
Class Title: DIVERSITY PROGRAM COORDINATOR - 69623
Salary: 75,000 - $85,000
Category: Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Work Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm
Headquarter Location: 180 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60601
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

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

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.

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. 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 Illinois Power Agency, please refer to: https://ipa.illinois.gov/.

Duties & Responsibilities

• 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. to support EEPs and EECs.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication:

• 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.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Required Skills and 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. Excellent oral, written, presentation, and interpersonal skills with diverse audiences.
• Experience in developing stakeholder communications/newsletters, presentations, outreach materials, or other resources for diverse audiences.
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• 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.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in or knowledge of Illinois’ clean energy landscape.
• Experience in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.
• Experience with project management tools.
• Interest in process improvements and cross-functional team work.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Requires ability to travel throughout Illinois, including occasional overnight travel in the performance of duties. Requires appropriate valid driver’s license.

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. 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: $75,000-$85,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is a hybrid position and will require extensive field work and occasional office work.

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