WEATHERIZATION SPECIALIST TRAINEE

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; Springfield (IL); Hybrid; USD 53,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

A Pension Program

Competitive group insurance (Health, L

Paid personal business days

Sick leave and vacation time

Holidays and flexible schedules

Parental leave

Job summary

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is seeking Weatherization Specialist Trainee to participate in training and on-site reviews across Illinois. The role supports quality assurance for the Weatherization program, requiring organization, planning, and strong communication skills.

The training period includes earning BPI EA, BPI QCI, and IHWAP TCP certifications. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with in-office presence and field travel as needed, supporting

Qualifications

• Requires knowledge/experience in skilled building construction or energy conservation (4 years preferred).
• Certifications to complete training: BPI EA, BPI QCI, IHWAP TCP.

Responsibilities

• Participate in formal and on-the-job Weatherization training (6–18 months).
• Learn to conduct on-site field reviews of weatherized homes and LIHEAP Furnace projects.
• Develop reports reflecting status of sub-grantee weatherization programs.
• Learn to review budgets, scope of work, and grant funds allocations.
• Travel to conduct field reviews, some overnight stays.

Education

BPI Energy Auditor (EA) Certification

BPI Quality Control Inspector (QCI) Certification

Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) TCP Certification

Job description

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.

Date: Oct 16, 2026

Location:
Springfield, IL, US, 62701

Job Requisition ID: 59624

Opening Date: 10/16/2026

Closing Date: 10/30/2026

Agency: Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

Class Title: WEATHERIZATION SPECIALIST TRN (49105)
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None

Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $4,747 monthly; Full Range $4,747 - $6,446 monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

Number of Vacancies: 2

Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME

Work Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 5:00pm

Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: 1 to 5 Days per week in office, depending on operational needs

Headquarter Location: 1 W Old State Capitol Plz, Springfield, Illinois, 62701

Work County: Sangamon

Agency Contact: [e-mail] (FOR INQUIRIES ONLY - INTERESTED APPLICANTS MUST APPLY ONLINE)

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

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.

Position Overview

Weatherization Specialist Trainee positions, within the Office of Community Assistance, serve a vulnerable part of the Illinois community by conducting quality assurance monitoring of the Weatherization program at the local agencies throughout Illinois. This ensures the low-income population of Illinois is receiving quality services under the Weatherization program. The ideal candidate must be organized with the ability to plan and prioritize a variety of tasks. Requires excellent oral and written communication skills and strong computer skills. We welcome qualified candidates who want to help support this important program assisting communities throughout Illinois to apply.

Essential Functions

• Under immediate supervision of the Weatherization Monitoring manager, for a period of six to eighteen months, participates in formal and on-the-job training related to weatherization assistance programs and field reviews of weatherization needs of residences of limited income individuals.
  • Learns to conduct on-site field reviews of weatherized homes and LIHEAP Furnace projects to evaluate the quality of work, accesses crawl spaces, roof areas and attics to conduct reviews.
  • Assists in the development of reports reflecting status of sub-grantee’s weatherization program.
  • Learns to identify problems enabling effective delivery of weatherization services by an agency.
  • Drafts recommendations for agency staff review on resolving problems.
  • Travels, with some overnight stays, to conduct field reviews.
• Receives training to develop skills of a grant manager
  • Observes and engages in reviews of grant budgets of assigned grantees to ensure that grant funds are being spent equitably across multiple grant allocations.
  • Learns to reviews and approve Weatherization Implementation Plans of subgrantees that is submitted with the annual subgrantee application package.
  • Learns to review Scope of Work documents to ensure that grant funds have been allocated to jobs correctly, and in compliance with grant regulations.
  • Observes the process to review and give approvals when requests for additional funding need to be added to agency jobs.
  • Learns to review production levels of assigned agencies and determine the need to enforce the Production Policy.
  • Schedule and attend meetings to ensure agencies are meeting targeted production goals.
• Receives training to develop training and technical assistance plans to ensure needs of local sub-grantee agencies are met.
  • Attends and observes training on the usage of blower door technology, infrared thermography, flue gas analysis equipment, energy audit and final inspection procedures.
  • Travels to attend training.
• Participates in conducting surveys and provides input into analyses reports to evaluate the status of work completed by local agencies.
  • Assists with the development and implementation of policy memorandums, training manuals, schedules and new program initiatives.
• Attends staff meetings and weatherization training classes to learn and keep abreast of any changes in programs.
  • Acquires necessary certifications to monitor Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) projects.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to four years of experience in skilled building construction, construction management or the building performance/energy conservation industry or an equivalent combination of training and experience which meets the following standards:
  • Requires a minimum of one year of direct experience in skilled building construction, construction management or the building performance/energy conservation industry. This requirement is not subject to substitution.
  • Up to three years of education that provides insight, knowledge and/or application of the concepts and principles of energy management, environmental science, public administration, or construction management may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis, up to three years of experience.
• Trainees must attain all indicated certifications in order to complete the training period and be eligible for promotion to the Weatherization Specialist I. The successful trainee will acquire the following certifications:
  • Building Performance Institute (BPI) Energy Auditor (EA),
  • BPI Quality Control Inspector (QCI),
  • Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) Training and Certification Program (TCP).

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers Quality Control Inspector and Energy Auditor Certifications issued by Building Performance Institute.
• Prefer at least one year of experience in the Weatherization field.
• Prefers intermediate level experience in the utilization of spreadsheet software and document creation.

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.
• Requires the physical ability to work in confined spaces (attics and crawlspaces) and the ability to climb a ladder and work from heights up to 40 feet.
• Trainees are required to obtain the following certifications during the training period to be eligible for promotion to the Weatherization Specialist 1.
  • Building Performance Institute (BPI) Energy Auditor (EA),
  • BPI Quality Control Inspector (QCI),
  • Illinois Home Weatherization Assistance Program (IHWAP) Training and Certification Program (TCP).

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.

Benefits

• A Pension Program
• Competitive Group Insurance Benefits including Health, Life, Dental and Vision Insurance
• 3 Paid Personal Business Days annually
• 12 Paid Sick days annually (Sick days carry over from year to year)
• 10-25 days of Paid Vacation time annually - (10 days in year one of employment)
• Benefit time modified for part-time, 12-hour, & non-standard work schedules (as applicable)
• 13 Paid Holidays annually, 14 on even numbered years
• Flexible Work Schedules (when available dependent upon position)
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Deferred Compensation Program - A supplemental retirement plan
• Optional Pre-Tax Programs such as Medical Care Assistance Plan (MCAP), Dependent Care Assistance Plan (DCAP)
• Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility
• GI Bill® Training/Apprenticeship Benefits eligibility for qualifying Veterans
• 5% Salary Differential for Bilingual Positions
• Commuter Savings Program (Chicago only)

For more information about our benefits please follow this link: https://cms.illinois.gov/benefits/stateemployee.html

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

Nearest Major Market

Springfield