EXECUTIVE I (Environmental Justice Program Coordinator)

State of Illinois•Chicago, IL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency is seeking a Spanish-speaking Environmental Justice Program Coordinator for its Office of Environmental Justice in Chicago. The position connects IEPA technical programs with residents in environmental justice concern areas, supporting public participation, language access, and meaningful community involvement in environmental decision-making. It also leads efforts to develop and promote Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEPs), enabling regulated entities to invest in community-benefiting projects when resolving enforcement actions. Under direction, the coordinator implements and evaluates the Illinois Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy, Enhanced Public Participation Plan, and other agency EJ policies and initiatives. The role plans and evaluates the Illinois EPA Language Access Plan, including translation and interpretation of non-confidential, publicly available information between English and Spanish; administers the SEP program; and carries out operational functions for the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice on behalf of the EJ Officer. Other reasonably related duties may be assigned. The position is based at IEPA headquarters in Chicago. Reporting to headquarters is required as operational needs dictate, on a schedule that may be weekly, monthly, or otherwise. Work hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, with a one-hour lunch. The posting describes a 37½-hour work week.

Requirements

Education equivalent to completion of four years of college; coursework in business or public administration is preferred.
One year of responsible administrative experience in a public or business organization, or completion of an agency-approved professional management training program.
Proficiency translating written documents from English to Spanish and Spanish to English.
Proficiency interpreting verbally between Spanish and English in both directions.
Written and verbal fluency in Spanish.
Current and valid driver's license.
Ability to travel.
Ability to pass a name-based background check.
For employees subject to the specialized-skills provision: at least one year of work experience with environmental justice programs, community engagement initiatives, or public-facing environmental programs; at least one year responding to public inquiries related to environmental, community, or regulatory issues; at least one year cultivating and maintaining cooperative working relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, regulated entities, or governmental partners; and at least one year developing, monitoring, or evaluating program goals, performance metrics, or compliance activities.

Nice To Haves

At least one year of experience working with environmental justice programs, community engagement initiatives, or public-facing environmental programs.
At least one year of experience responding to public inquiries related to environmental, community, or regulatory issues.
At least one year of experience cultivating and maintaining cooperative working relationships with community groups, advocacy organizations, regulated entities, or governmental partners.
At least one year of experience developing, monitoring, or evaluating program goals, performance metrics, or compliance activities.
Experience developing, maintaining, or using mapping or data-tracking tools for environmental, community, or regulatory programs.
Experience implementing or supporting language-access initiatives or working with communities whose preferred language is Spanish.
Experience developing and delivering presentations to diverse audiences, including community groups, industry representatives, advocacy groups, or governmental agencies.
Experience developing or managing programs, including creating program materials, forms, case studies, or guidance documents.
Experience with environmental governance and regulatory structures at the state and federal levels.

Responsibilities

Implement, plan, execute, control, and evaluate the Illinois Environmental Justice Enforcement Strategy, Enhanced Public Participation Plan, and other agency EJ policies and initiatives across the agency.
Plan and evaluate the Illinois EPA Language Access Plan, including translating and interpreting publicly available, non-confidential information between English and Spanish.
Organize, plan, and administer the Illinois EPA Supplemental Environmental Projects (SEP) program.
Plan, organize, and administer operational functions for the Illinois Commission on Environmental Justice on behalf of the EJ Officer.
Perform other duties reasonably within the scope of the position.