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

• Consult our affiliates to build on their expertise in certain fields.
• Administer and lead coalitions, as assigned, including setting agendas, meeting times and location, group messaging, goals, strategies, and tactics.
• 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.