Policy Manager

About the Organization

Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council has worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its

plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for

people and the environment. Representing over 130 environmental organizations, IEC carries

out its mission to advance public policies that create healthy environments across Illinois

through education, advocacy, and movement building.

IEC advances sound environmental laws and policies at all levels of government by bringing

together the Illinois environmental community to influence decision-makers and ensure clean

air, clean water, and healthy communities. From lobbying at the State Capitol to building

consensus around an annual environmental agenda, IEC takes pride in leading our

environmental movement in Illinois. We coordinate our affiliate member organizations to share

resources, mobilize supporters, and respond quickly to the most pressing issues facing the

environment in Illinois.

IEC also supports environmental activists across the state, building programs to cultivate the

next generation of environmental leadership, such as our Young Professionals Board,

Community Council, annual environmental scorecards, and other educational programs like our

Civics for Environmentalists and Lunch & Learn series.

About the Position

The Illinois Environmental Council Education Fund (IECEF) is looking for a self-motivated and

experienced individual for the role of Policy Manager. As a member of the Conservation and

Agriculture team, this person will have a legislative focus to support the team’s ambitious

legislative agenda while also building coalitions and providing education.

This position may be located in Chicago or Springfield, IL with a preference for Springfield. The

position is full-time and may include evening and weekend work, and occasional travel within

Illinois.

About You

We’re looking for a self-motivated individual who is excited by the challenge of addressing the

biggest issues facing Illinois. You should be a stellar communicator with excellent attention to

detail who enjoys digging into legislative issues and working with broad coalitions of partners to

build power and execute on legislative priorities.

We are a small, dynamic team that relies on each other to produce high-quality work.

We strongly encourage candidates from all different backgrounds and identities to apply. Each

new hire is an opportunity for us to bring in a different perspective, and we are always eager to

further diversify our organization. IEC/IECEF is committed to building an inclusive, supportive

place for you to do the best and most rewarding work of your career.

Responsibilities

This role will be on our programs team reporting to the Chief Program Officer, Conservation and

Agriculture. They will lead and contribute to the coalition and program activities for landfill

methane emissions, river access, food scrap diversion, natural areas protection, and

pesticide/herbicide drift. They will also play a key role on the legislative tracking and strategy

execution for all conservation/ag bills. They will join a team of four and report to the Chief

Programs Officer, Conservation and Agriculture, working closely with our programs,

communications and development teams to execute on our work.

Education

• Draft content for educational materials for key stakeholders.
• Communicate environmental priorities through public speaking and other

outreach.

• Organize and conduct events and tours with decisionmakers and key

stakeholders.

• Contribute to educational presentations, tours, fact sheets, social media assets,

and other assigned deliverables

Coalition Building

• Administer and lead coalitions, as assigned, including setting agendas, meeting

times and location, group messaging, goals, strategies, and tactics.

• Consult our affiliates to build on their expertise in certain fields.
• Coordinate with partner organizations to develop strategies and implement

tactics.

Policy and Advocacy

• Write, analyze and track conservation, agriculture, and organic waste bills

at the Illinois State Legislature and Chicago City Council.

• Develop policy expertise in issue areas as assigned, including an understanding

of current legislation and a comparison to laws in other locations. This may

include landfill methane emissions, nutrient pollution, urban/rural flooding, and

river access.

• Build relationships with relevant stakeholders including industry groups and

agency staff

• Lobby lawmakers on relevant bills.
• Coordinate lobby days and relevant grassroots advocacy in the issue area
• Organizational Leadership
• Contribute to fundraising efforts, including grant applications & foundation

reporting related to IEC’s advocacy work.

Qualifications

• Passion for environmental advocacy, democracy, environmental justice
• Excellent project management skills.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups and people.
• Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship work.
• Proficiency using both the Microsoft and Google software suites.
• Highly organized.
• Ability to coordinate multiple tasks and work independently.
• Interest in environmental issues and policies.
• Issue expertise in environmental issues.
• Legal background optional, but desired.
• Proven understanding of legislative process in IL General Assembly
• Strong writing skills — able to draft concise summaries, briefs, or reports
• Experience or interest in public interest work, advocacy, or lawmaking

Physical Requirements: Have the ability to:

• Lift and carry items up to 25 pounds.
• Operate a computer.
• Sit at a desk for extended periods.
• Stand, walk, and be on your feet outdoors for extended periods.
• Communicate and exchange information.

Equal Opportunity Employer

IEC/IECEF is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the

workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex,

gender expression or identity, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective

order status, veteran status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry,

religion, pregnancy, certain arrest or criminal history records, homelessness, and use of lawful

products outside of work during non-working hours, or any other protected characteristic as

outlined by federal, state, or local laws.

Equity, Allyship and Powerbuilding Values

IEC/IECEF is always working to ensure that everyone on our team feels engaged and

supported in all areas of the organization’s operations as we work to become a fully inclusive,

multicultural, and anti-racist organization.

We are only as powerful as the people in our movement and those we serve. Building power for

people and our environment in Illinois requires us to actively combat social and political power

dynamics that disenfranchise marginalized communities across a broad range of issues beyond

those that fall squarely within traditional environmental policy. When marginalized communities

are empowered, environmental protections become more possible. Thus we are called to stand

in solidarity as allies with those fighting for justice and to strengthen our democratic institutions

where power drives policy change.

How to Apply

Introduce yourself to us as a colleague. Show us your future here and let us know what you’d

bring to our organization! We value great writers, so be yourself, be creative, and take your time

with the application.

Applications must be received by 9/5/25

To apply please send a cover letter with salary requirements and resume to:

Lindsay Keeney, Chief Program Officer, Conservation and Agriculture - lkeeney@ilenviro.org

About IEC

Since 1975, the Illinois Environmental Council (IEC) and Illinois Environmental Council

Education Fund (IECEF) have worked to safeguard Illinois—its people, its plants and animals,

and the natural systems on which all life depends by building power for people and the

environment. Representing over 130 environmental organizations and over 600 individuals in

the state, IEC carries out its mission to advance equitable public policies that ensure a healthy

environment across Illinois through collaboration, building power, and advocacy.

IEC advances sound environmental laws and policies at all levels of government by bringing

together the Illinois environmental community to influence decision-makers and ensure clean

air, clean water and healthy communities. From lobbying at the State Capitol to building

consensus around an annual environmental agenda, IEC takes pride in leading our

environmental movement in Illinois. We coordinate our affiliate member organizations to share

resources, mobilize supporters and respond quickly to the most pressing issues facing the

environment in Illinois.

IEC also supports environmental activists across the state, building programs and resources to

cultivate the next generation of environmental leadership, such as our Young Professionals

Board, Community Council, annual environmental scorecards, and other educational programs

like our Civics for Environmentalists and Lunch & Learn series.