Energy Program Manager Jobs in Waterman, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Working Position Title CPRG Clean Energy Programs Manager (36793)

Classification

Classification Program Director - CUSTOM CLASSIFICATION

Position Number

Position Number 00036793

Open Date

Open Date 08/26/2026

Close Date

Close Date 09/15/2026

Priority Review Date

Employee Class

Employee Class Staff

Full-Time/Part Time

Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE

FTE 1.00

Position Status

Position Status Regular

FLSA

FLSA Exempt

Job code

Job code 5003

Union Representation

Union Representation Non-Union

Union Code

Union Code N/A

Unit/Department

Unit/Department P-20 Center

College/Unit

College/Unit P20 Initiatives Network

Division

Location

Location LH 204

Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

The Workforce Policy Lab ( WPL ) is a statewide and national leader in workforce and economic development research, evaluation, policy, program development and implementation support. WPL is housed within the Center of Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.

Our growing team is charged with advancing workforce, economic, and business integration through partnerships with local, state, regional, and national partners, braiding best practices and on-the-ground implementation. WPL also serves as a testing ground for new initiatives, driving innovation and the creation of an adaptable, skilled workforce rooted in a thriving economic future.

Workforce Policy Lab

The Workforce Policy Lab ( WPL ) is a statewide and national leader in workforce and economic development research, evaluation, policy, program development and implementation support. WPL is housed within the Center of Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL.

Our growing team is charged with advancing workforce, economic, and business integration through partnerships with local, state, regional, and national partners, braiding best practices and on-the-ground implementation. WPL also serves as a testing ground for new initiatives, driving innovation and the creation of an adaptable, skilled workforce rooted in a thriving economic future.

Key Programs Actively Supported by WPL :

• Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act – Evaluation
• Climate & Equitable Jobs Act ( CEJA ) Workforce & Economic Development Programs – Development, Implementation Support, Evaluation, and Improvement
• Apprenticeship Illinois – Development and Implementation Support
• Clean Building Navigator Program (Climate Pollution Reduction Grant) – Development, Implementation Support, Evaluation
• CEJA Capacity Grant Program – Development, Implementation, Evaluation

Team Culture

WPL is intentionally building a team culture grounded in courage, trust, and accountability – drawing inspiration from Brene Brown’s Dare to Lead framework, among other leadership best practices. This means creating an environment where people feel safe to speak openly, take smart risks, learn from failure, and show up as their authentic self.

This is active work for our team, and we are looking for people who are energized by that journey – those who value honest conversations, are willing to give and receive feedback, and want to help shape the culture where empathy and high standards go hand in hand.

If you’re someone who leads with curiosity, lives by a mantra of “everything is figureoutable”, leans into discomfort for the sake of growth, and believes strong teams are built through trust and shared ownership, you’ll find both challenge and opportunity here.

Hybrid Position – Travel throughout the state is required for this role, with weekly meetings in DeKalb or Chicago.

THIS POSITION IS BASED ON A THREE - YEAR GRANT , AND MAY NOT BE EXTENDED AT THE CLOSE OF THE GRANT .

Position Summary

The Clean Energy Program Manager oversees day-to-day operations of the Clean Building Navigator Grant Program and CEJA Capacity Grant Manager. This position ensures timely execution of tasks, coordination across staff and partners, delivery of high-quality outputs, and implementation of both programs. This role translates strategic direction into operational workflows and cross-community coordination.

This position reports directly to the Director of Clean Energy Ecosystem Development. Additionally, this role has five direct reports: Technical Standards Specialist, Ecosystem & Community Specialist, Statewide Energy Efficiency Navigator, Data Analytics, and Performance Learning Specialist (for tasks related to Clean Energy programs). This position will also oversee the work of a contracted Community Task Force Facilitator.

Who We Are Seeking

Beyond experience and education requirements listed below and in alignment with our growing team culture, the Clean Energy Programs Manager will embody most, if not all, of the attributes below:

• Person-centered – this role requires connecting with homeowners, stakeholders, and partners. The goal is always to connect and respond with an approach that recognizes others as people first, not as a number or role.
• Entrepreneurial spirit – ready to take immediate action and begin co-creating programs with team leadership, members, and advisors in the successful deployment of two new programs.
• Curious – willing to say “ I don’t know,” to learn, grow, and continuously improve self, team, and programming.

Hybrid Position – Travel throughout the state is required for this role, with weekly meetings in DeKalb or Chicago.

THIS POSITION IS BASED ON A THREE - YEAR GRANT , AND MAY NOT BE EXTENDED AT THE CLOSE OF THE GRANT .

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Program Management

• Manage daily program operations and implementation timelines for the Clean Building Navigator Program and CEJA Capacity Grant Program including:
  • Coordinating activities across technical, community, and data workstreams
  • Tracking progress against work plans, milestones, and deliverables
  • Maintaining documentation, schedules, and cross-team communications

Program Development Support

• Co-create the Clean Building Navigator Program, including building out the mentor-protege framework, community task forces, and additional core program elements in partnership with team

Team Management

• Directly manage 5 individuals, including one-on-one meetings, team meetings, and assistance in hiring (when necessary)

Reporting & Quality Assurance Support

• Support reporting preparation and internal quality assurance

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

Please see required Specialty Factors below.

• A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position.
• Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Note: Master’s Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects
• Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources
• Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Skill in scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.
• Skill in oral and written communication
• Ability to adjust actions in relation to others’ actions.
• Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences
• Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense
• Ability to develop goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish work.
• Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups
• Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of others.
• Ability to utilize various computer software packages, such as Accounting Software, query, etc.
• Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems
• Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures and systems

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

• Bachelor’s degree in public policy, environmental studies, energy systems, community development, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Three (3) years of experience working in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy.
• Three (3) years of experience building strategic partnerships with those working in energy efficiency and/or renewable energy in Illinois.
• Two (2) years of direct people management experience.

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Master’s degree in public policy, environmental studies, energy systems, community development, or a related field.
• Two (2) years of experience working in Illinois’s clean energy ecosystem including public and private incentives, partners, and stakeholders.
• Two (2) years of experience managing or administering federally or state-funded programs.
• Three (3) years of facilitation, organization, and cross-team coordination and collaboration skills.
• Demonstrable person-centered focus, entrepreneurial spirit, and willingness to adapt/learn and grow.

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

• General office requirements.
• Long periods of time seated/stationary.
• Must be willing and able to travel throughout the state frequently.

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date

Anticipated Appointment Start Date TBD

Anticipated Appointment End Date

Percent of Staff Year

Percent of Staff Year 1.00

Standard Hours Per Week 37.50

Working Hours

Working Hours Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm; Some evenings and/or weekends as needed.

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.
• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.
• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu . Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.
• Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant’s/employee’s education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver’s license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Ethics and Compliance Officer, Title IX Coordinator
Health Services Building Room 230
TitleIXCoordinator@niu.edu
815-753-5560

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

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