PROGRAM ASSOCIATE I

Job Requisition ID: 51713

Closing Date: 12/18/2025

Agency: Illinois Power Agency

Salary: $65,000 - $73,500

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

County: Cook; Adams; Alexander; Bond; Boone; Brown; Bureau; Calhoun; Carroll; Cass; Champaign; Christian; Clark; Clay; Clinton; Coles; Crawford; Cumberland; DeKalb; DeWitt; Douglas; DuPage; Edgar; Edwards; Effingham; Fayette; Ford; Franklin; Fulton; Gallatin; Greene; Grundy; Hamilton; Hancock; Hardin; Henderson; Henry; Iroquois; Jackson; Jasper; Jefferson; Jersey; Jo Daviess; Johnson ; Kane; Kankakee; Kendall; Knox; LaSalle; Lake; Lawrence; Lee; Livingston; Logan; Macon; Macoupin; Madison; Marion; Marshall; Mason; Massac; McDonough; McHenry; McLean; Menard; Mercer; Monroe; Montgomery; Morgan; Moultrie; Ogle; Other; Peoria; Perry; Piatt; Pike; Pope; Pulaski; Putnam; Randolph; Richland; Rock Island; Saline; Sangamon; Schuyler; Scott; Shelby; St. Clair; Stark; Stephenson; Tazewell; Union; Vermilion; Wabash; Warren; Washington; Wayne; White; Whiteside; Will; Williamson; Winnebago; Woodford

Number of Vacancies: 1

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

Please attach a Cover Letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, a DETAILED Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV), and three professional references in the MY DOCUMENTS section of your application. You WILL NOT be considered for the position if you attach a CMS100, CMS100b or any other document in lieu of the documents requested.

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.

Work Hours: M-F; 9AM - 5PM

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

Work County: Cook

Email : [email protected]

Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources; Fiscal, Finance & Procurement; Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics; Social Services

Illinois Power Agency

Program Associate I

The Illinois Power Agency (Agency) is seeking a Program Associate I. The Program Associate I positions is an entry-level position that will directly support the Illinois Shines program (statutorily known as the Adjustable Block Program) and is positioned under the direction of the Illinois Shines Program Manager. The Program Associate I will aid in the development and implementation of the Program, which includes providing incentives for distributed generation and community solar projects. Prospective applicants should review the Illinois Shines Program website for more information, found at:

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 Agency, please refer to:

All applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications defined below for the Program Associate I to be considered for this position.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Tracking projects related to the Agency’s Illinois Shines program
• Reviewing updates to Program requirements, including reviewing and reporting on Program compliance by Program participants
• Supporting the implementation of program processes, which may include topics such as Program participant application reviews, project submission reviews, marketing and communications management, customer and developer outreach, and issue resolution
• Completing administrative Program activities, such as project submission reviews, appeals, data requests, extensions, and standardized updates; this may also include supporting ongoing reporting and standardized communications.
• Interfacing with the Illinois Shines third‐party Program Administrator to support ongoing project activities, which may include process documentation, review of forms and reports, review of communications, and research into issue background and resolution
• Supporting the tracking and reporting on Program metrics and key performance indicators
• Attending regular meetings with the third‐party Program Administrator and reporting back to team/managing work from these meetings
• Translating or reviewing translation of Program materials (if bi-lingual)
• Supporting stakeholder outreach and collaboration activities to support Program goals and initiatives (conferences, presentations, webinars, etc.)
• Supporting other Program‐related tasks on an ad hoc basis

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 0-2 years of applicable work experience
• The ability to maintain strong attention to detail across multiple, ongoing projects
• Proficient writing and editing skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including experience using Excel for data aggregation and analysis
• A track record of meeting deadlines and successfully closing out tasks
• The ability to work with a collaborative and agile team, taking on new assignments as needed

Desired Qualifications:

• Degree in public policy, political science, environmental studies, environmental engineering, energy engineering, project management, or a related field (interest or coursework in renewable energy, or environmental policy).
• Job experience and/or coursework in energy, sustainability, engineering, political science, with a focus on renewable energy or solar specifically
• Experience working in the public sector
• Direct experience supporting customer programs, including development and/or implementation of such programs; experience with distributed energy resources (DERs) or distributed generation resource programs; supporting operations and/or logistics including contractor/vendor management, stakeholder communications, formal KPI management and reporting, and customer management.
• Customer/client service experience
• Fluency in Spanish to assist with the translation or translation review of Program materials

The Program Associate I 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: $65,000 – 73,500. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is a hybrid position and is inclusive of periodic in-office work as defined by the Agency.

To apply, please submit a cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, a resume, and three professional references along with your online application.

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.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]