About the Position
The Illinois Environmental Council is seeking a Clean Energy Intern to assist the Energy Policy Director and their team. The Clean Energy Intern will conduct research and analysis on Illinois’ key clean energy policy issues. This work will help inform IEC staff and support our engagement and outreach efforts with partners. The interns would also assist the Policy Director with admin during coalition meetings, including note taking and agenda planning.
This position will be located in Chicago, IL, and will require in-person collaboration at IEC’s Chicago Office.
About You
We’re looking for a self-motivated individual excited to bring their research and analysis skills to educate lawmakers and decision-makers about the clean and renewable energy policies IEC/IECEF are advocating for in 2025. We are looking for someone who is organized, has strong communication skills, and can turn hard data into narrative conversation for community members and decision-makers.
Project/Deliverables
IEC is a trusted environmental voice in Illinois and strong influence in Springfield and the City of Chicago. You will have an opportunity to engage and network with statewide environmental organizations, gather data, and develop educational materials on the state of clean and renewable energy developments.
- Support IEC’s Energy Team to gather and organize data and policy information related to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) implementation, federal funding shortfalls, and IEC’s 2025/2026 legislative priorities. Develop educational materials for decision-makers, legislators, and the general public on IEC’s clean energy priorities.
- Develop memos for the Energy Policy Director and the Energy and Transportation Team covering various hot-button clean energy issues.
- Support IEC’s Energy Team with research and tracking community-based organization outreach on building decarbonization efforts related to the Illinois Commerce Commission’s Future of Gas Proceedings.
- Support planning for IEC’s Climate Action Lobby Day.
- Attend affiliate and stakeholder meetings including Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition (ICJC) working group meetings.
- Support planning and communications around IEC’s legislative energy tours.
- Support building relationships with IEC affiliates, allies, and stakeholders.
- Provide research for rapid response to the press and on social media.
- Represent IEC when engaging with affiliates, allies, and stakeholders.
“Must-have” Qualifications
- Strong time management skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse groups of people
- Commitment to and knowledge of equity, diversity, inclusion, and allyship work
- Proficiency with Microsoft and Google software
- Passionate about the transition to Clean Energy, Workforce, and/or Clean Transportation
- Self-starter on projects
- Passionate about the Clean Energy Transition
“Nice-to-have” Qualifications
- Experience with Clean Energy and/or Clean Transportation Policies
- You have worked with nonprofits, workforce development organizations, companies, or community organizations before
- You have experience in analyzing hard data and transforming it into detailed narratives
- You have facilitated or organized meetings in prior work.
- Experience working with data analytics tools and software
Employee Benefits/Important Requirements
The Internship is a part-time in-person position located in Chicago IL. Candidates must reside in Illinois. Compensation for this position is $16/hr for 30-40 hours of work per week, for 8 weeks.
- Location requirements: In-person
- Compensation: $16 per hour
- Hours per week: Estimated 30 hours per week
- Duration: 8 Weeks
How to Apply
Introduce yourself to us as a colleague in your cover letter. Show us your future here! We value great writers, so be yourself and take your time with the application. Stock cover letters won’t do. Tell us why you want this job.
Applications must be received by March 31, 2025.
To apply, please send a cover letter and resume by email to Stephanie Blumenthal at stephanie@ilenviro.org.
Equal Opportunity Employer
IEC/IECEF is an equal opportunity employer 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.
About IEC
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.