PROGRAM SPECIALIST-IGA, BX15

City of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 65,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Chicago's Department of Aviation seeks a Program Specialist-IGA to support intergovernmental affairs at O’Hare International Airport. The role coordinates projects and programs, reviews legislation, and serves as a liaison with federal, state, and City officials to advance departmental initiatives.

Starting salary is $71,772 per year in the career service. The position requires flexible meeting times and occasional travel to both airports, with a focus on policy analysis, briefing

Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of work experience in project or program administration, or an equivalent combination.
• Associate’s degree plus five (5) years of related experience.
• Bachelor’s degree plus three (3) years of related experience.
• Master’s degree plus two (2) years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate assigned projects and programs independently.
• Monitor activities for confidentiality, legal, and ethical compliance.
• Serve as liaison with officials, agencies, and stakeholders to coordinate requests.
• Monitor legislation, ordinances, and regulations affecting departmental programs.
• Prepare briefing materials, memos, and reports for leadership on governmental matters.
• Assist in reviewing and processing ordinances and legal documents for impacts.

Education

Associate’s degree in related field

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Master’s degree in related field

Job description

PROGRAM SPECIALIST-IGA, BX15

Chicago Department of Aviation

O’Hare International Airport

Intergovernmental Affairs Division

Number of Positions: 2 (Additional vacancies possible pending budget approval)

Starting Salary: $71,772.00

Applications for this position will be accepted until 11:59pm CDT on October 15, 2026.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Works independently, coordinating assigned projects and programs.
• Monitors project and program activities for adherence to confidentiality standards, legal requirements, laws, ordinances, program requirements, and ethical guidelines.
• Serves as a liaison with federal, state, and City elected officials and their professional staffs, governmental agencies, City departments, and other public and private organizations to coordinate requests, exchange information, and support departmental initiatives.
• Monitors and tracks federal, state, and City legislation, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, and other governmental actions that may affect departmental programs, policies, operations, or initiatives.
• Conducts studies and analyses of projects and programs, including research and analysis of legislative, regulatory, governmental, and public-policy matters, and prepares findings for management.
• Interprets and applies municipal codes, regulations, and procedures, as well as applicable federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and governmental requirements.
• Reviews and analyzes proposed legislation, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, agreements, and other legal or governmental documents and coordinates with legal staff and subject‑matter experts to identify potential departmental impacts.
• Coordinates the internal review of legislative and governmental matters, obtaining information and input from appropriate departmental divisions, legal staff, and subject‑matter experts.
• Prepares briefing materials, memoranda, legislative summaries, correspondence, talking points, presentations, and reports for departmental leadership regarding federal, state, and City governmental and legislative matters.
• Assists with the preparation, review, routing, and tracking of ordinances, legislation, resolutions, agreements, and other governmental matters requiring departmental or governmental review and approval.
• Coordinates meetings, briefings, hearings, site visits, and other engagements involving federal, state, and City elected officials and their staffs, governmental agencies, departmental leadership, and other stakeholders.
• Develops informational, educational, and training materials related to legislative initiatives, governmental processes, policy changes, and departmental programs for internal and external stakeholders.
• Assists in coordinating briefings, presentations, informational sessions, and other educational activities to communicate legislative, regulatory, policy, and governmental developments to appropriate stakeholders.
• Maintains legislative and governmental tracking systems, calendars, databases, and status reports to monitor governmental requests, legislative matters, commitments, deadlines, correspondence, and required follow‑up.
• Develops and implements new or revised operating policies and procedures to ensure the effectiveness of assigned project or program operations.
• Prepares narrative and statistical programmatic status reports, including performance metrics, dashboards, legislative tracking reports, and other management reports.
• May assist with program and policy development.
• Additional duties may be required for this position.

Location

Chicago Department of Aviation

10510 West Zemke Road

Shift: 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Hours: Varies

THIS POSITION IS IN THE CAREER SERVICE

QUALIFICATIONS

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education, Training, and Experience

• Seven (7) years of work experience performing or supporting project or program administration functions, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate’s degree, in a field related to the responsibilities of the position, PLUS five (5) years of work experience performing or supporting project or program administration functions, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree, in a field related to the responsibilities of the position, PLUS three (3) years of work experience performing or supporting project or program administration functions, OR
• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Master’s degree, in a field related to the responsibilities of the position, or higher PLUS two (2) years of work experience performing or supporting project or program administration functions.

NOTE: Must be flexible to early and/or late meetings and occasional weekends.

NOTE: Must be flexible to travel to Both Airports, based on operational needs.

NOTE: This position requires a valid license at the time of hire.

NOTE: The candidates selected for hire must pass an airport background check and a Security Threat Assessment.

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS: This position requires an applicant to successfully complete an interview. The interviewed candidate(s) possessing the qualifications best suited to fulfill the responsibilities of the position, based on the interview, will be selected.

Preference

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following:

• Professional experience working with federal, state, or City/local elected officials and/or their professional staff, legislative bodies, or governmental agencies.
• Professional experience in intergovernmental affairs, government relations, legislative affairs, public policy, or a closely related governmental function.
• Professional experience in a legal department, law firm, government law office, or similar professional legal environment involving legislative, regulatory, governmental, policy, compliance, or administrative matters.
• Professional experience in training or professional development involving the development and delivery of educational materials, briefings, presentations, or programs related to governmental processes, policies, regulations, compliance, or organizational initiatives.
• Professional experience researching, reviewing, analyzing, monitoring, or tracking federal, state, or local legislation, ordinances, resolutions, regulations, governmental policies, or related legal matters.

AAQ & Diversity

The City of Chicago in an Equal Employment Opportunity and Military Friendly Employer.

The City of Chicago is committed to providing fair chance hiring and welcomes applicants with past convictions, recognizing the value of a diverse workforce and the potential for growth and positive change.

Salary: $71,772.00 Pay Basis:Yearly

City of Chicago Brandon Johnson, Mayor