CPRG Ecosystem & Community Specialist (29294) Bookmark this Posting Print Preview | Apply for this Job Position Information Posting Detail Information Working Position Title CPRG Ecosystem & Community Specialist (29294) Classification Program Coordinator•

CUSTOM CLASSIFICATION

Position Number 00029294 Open Date 08/26/2026 Close Date 09/15/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time

FTE 1.00

Position Status Regular FLSA Exempt Job code 5002 Union Representation Union Union Code AFC

• AFSCME C, Local #1890 Unit/Department P-20 Center College/Unit P20 Initiatives Network Division Outreach Engagemt Regl Dev Dv Location LH 204 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://www.

cgs.niu.edu/ Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications 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 Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program
• Development & 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 Ecosystem & Community Specialist leads community engagement, technical assistance, and capacity development for Clean Building Navigator Program and CEJA Capacity Grant program grantees and community-based partners. This role ensures that community voice, equity, and organizational sustainability are embedded across program design and implementation. Who We Are Seeking Beyond experience and education requirements listed below and in alignment with our growing team culture, the Statewide Energy Efficiency Navigator will embody most, if not all, of the attributes below: Person-Centered, Strengths-Based Approach

• All activities for this position are rooted in the needs of communities, stakeholders, and grantees. Support for grantees will meet them where they are acknowledging strengths and leaning into those while connecting them with resources to leverage opportunities. Collaborative & Aligned Execution
• Acting as a connector between WPL , stakeholders, and grantees, this role will focus heavily on how to collaborate with others and ensure alignment between partners. Curious
• Willing to say "I don't know," to learn, grow, and continuously improve self, team, and programming. Composed & Agile
• This role will be part of building and growing this program, resulting in an environment where the ability to remain calm in changing environments will be necessary. 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 Community Task Force Coordination & Support Support the work of Community Task Forces and the Community Task Force Facilitator Coordinate logistics for the community task force meetings and annual statewide convening Attend community task force virtual and in-person meetings Community Outreach & Partnership Development Establish and manage relationships with Community Based Organizations, Navigators, and local partners Program Development & Implementation Co-develop & facilitate implementation of mentor-protégé capacity-building model Training & Technical Assistance Deliver onboarding training and technical assistance support to Navigators and Community Based Organizations (8

• 10 organizations) Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service) Please see required Specialty Factors below.

Bachelor's degree. A total of one (1) year (12 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 , SKILLS AND ABILITIES

(KSAs) 1. Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects. 2. 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. 3. Skill in analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems. 4. Skill in scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others. 5. Skill in oral and written communication. 6. Ability to adjust actions in relation to others' actions. 7. Ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. 8. Ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense. 9. Ability to develop specific goals, plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish tasks. 10. Ability to work effectively with staff, the public, and outside constituency groups. 11. Ability to effectively plan, delegate, and supervise the work of others. 12. Ability to utilize various computer software packages, such as Accounting Software, query, etc. 13. Ability to work independently and exercise judgment in order to be able to analyze and investigate a variety of questions or problems. 14. Ability to analyze and develop guidelines, procedures, and systems. Specialty Factors (Civil Service) Bachelor's degree in community development, public policy, public administration, or a related field. Two (2) years of experience offering technical assistance to community-based organizations. Two (2) years of experience with facilitation, organization, cross-team coordination, and collaboration skills. Two (2) years of experience working in energy efficiency and/or clean energy planning, development, and/or programming. Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service) Master's degree in community development, public policy, public administration, or a related field. One (1) year (12 months) of experience or more working in Illinois's clean energy ecosystem, including public and private incentives, partners, and stakeholders and/or state workforce and economic development ecosystem. Demonstrable person-centered strength-based focus and willingness to adapt/learn and grow. Demonstrable commitment to collaborative and cohesive working/community partnerships. Ability to remain composed and focused in constantly changing environments. Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS) N/A Additional Requirements (SPS) N/A Preferred Qualifications (SPS) N/A Physical demands/requirements General office requirements. Long periods of time seated/stationary. Must be willing and able to travel throughout the state frequently. Appointment and Compensation Details Appointment and Compensation Details Anticipated Appointment Start Date TBD Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours Monday

• Friday, 8:00am
• 4:30pm; Some evenings and/or weekends as needed. Salary $75,000.00
• $80,000.16/Annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $3,125.00
• $3,333.

34/

Semi-monthly Earn Type Salary Application Procedure Application Procedure Application Procedure Application Procedures:

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. If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination. 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.

Additional Details:

Click on Program Coordinator for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements. Applicants who may assume they do not meet the exact minimum qualifications are still invited to apply. Within the application documents, applicants should be sure to explain how their credentials and related qualifications address the requested minimum requirements. Please click on Human Resource Services

• Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.

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. Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/96294 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary 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 Visa Policy 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 NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form . For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity ( AAEO ) at ada@niu.edu . Safety Information NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety. Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report . Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy. Applicant Documents Required Documents Resume/Curriculum Vitae Cover Letter Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire) List of at least 3 Professional References Optional Documents Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256) Other Supplemental Questions Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (

• ).

• What is the highest level of education attained? GED High School Diploma Associates Degree Bachelors Degree Masters Degree PHD
• Have you attached all transcripts to support the degrees you are submitting for consideration? Yes No
• How many years of experience do you have in this type of position? 0-1 1-3 3-5 5-7 7+
• Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.) (Open Ended Question)
• If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points?

The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered. Yes No Not Applicable