Closing Date: 19th December, 2025

Description:

The Illinois Power Agency is an independent State Agency created in 2007 to develop annual electricity procurement plans and renewable resources procurement plans and to conduct procurement events to ensure adequate, reliable, affordable, efficient, and environmentally sustainable electric service for default supply customers of Illinois electric utilities. The Agency also conducts procurements and administers programs that promote the development of renewable energy resources to meet State Renewable Portfolio Standard goals and targets. For more information about the Illinois Power Agency, please refer to: https://ipa.illinois.gov/

The Associate Legal Counsel – Competitive Markets will work on cutting edge legal and policy issues in a rapidly evolving field under the direction of the Chief Legal Counsel. These opportunities include work focused on the ongoing management of competitive procurements to facilitate the development of utility-scale solar and wind projects, monitoring developments at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) and within Regional Transmission Organizations (“RTOs”) impacting renewable energy development and the IPA's energy procurement processes, participating in regional and national committees and working groups through which policies are debated, the ongoing management of renewable energy incentive programs, energy policy and procurement, contract development, legislative review, litigation, and administrative law. Responsibilities under this position will primarily focus on work related to electricity procurements, competitive procurements to support the development of renewable resources, and related public policy initiatives, but may include other legal and public policy-related assignments as required by the Agency.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Assist the legal team and Agency staff in the development and preparation of procurement plans, including the Agency's annual Electricity Procurement Plan, biennial revisions to the Agency's Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan, and any future planning processes.
Assist the Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel in litigation before the Illinois Commerce Commission, including litigation seeking approval of the IPA's procurement plans and docketed proceedings implicating Agency interests or jurisdiction, especially those related to resource adequacy, electric grid planning, transmission planning, and other dockets with an impact upon the Agency's competitive procurements and planning.
Assist the Director, Planning and Procurement Bureau Chief, and Chief Legal Counsel in the research, drafting, and publication of a policy study or studies to evaluate the potential impacts of various legislative proposals purporting to help the State on its path to the equitable attainment of 100% clean energy.
Advise Planning and Procurement Bureau during the Indexed REC Contract development and implementation of procurement plans. Serve as the Agency's representative in regional and national committees through which wholesale energy and capacity policy challenges are addressed and policy decisions are formulated.
Monitor activities and serve as one of the Agency's in-house experts on FERC decisions and RTO policies, insofar as those decisions and policies impact the IPA's approach toward its energy, capacity, and renewable energy resources competitive procurement events.
Assist the Chief Legal Counsel, Planning and Procurement Bureau Chief, Chief DEI Officer, and program managers with interpretation of the Illinois Power Agency Act and other applicable Illinois and federal laws and regulations in the administration of the Agency's procurements and programs.
Assist the Chief Legal Counsel in researching and formulating guidance on legal issues for both internal and external constituencies.
Assist the Chief Legal Counsel and Agency staff with the review and analysis of proposed legislation, including legislation impacting the Agency or the industry in which the Agency operates.
Assist the Chief Legal Counsel with the development, adoption, and implementation of administrative rules promulgated by the Agency.
In coordination with the Director, the Bureau Chief of the Procurement and Planning Bureau, the Chief Legal Counsel, and the Deputy Legal Counsel, assist in developing IPA positions in contested matters and in anticipation of contested matters.
Under the supervision of the Chief Legal Counsel and Deputy Legal Counsel, provide legal representation in other matters involving the IPA.
Represent the Agency at meetings, conferences, and other gatherings which focus on the Agency's work, especially those related to resource adequacy and grid/transmission planning.
Participate in Agency-level policy discussions; work directly with Agency management; gather and provide information to the Director and Chief Legal Counsel for review; coordinate with staff and consultants in review and analysis of agency programs and procurements to ensure policy objectives are met.
Perform other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Skills and Qualifications:

A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and membership in good standing with the Illinois bar. The Agency will also consider applications from individuals with pending membership in Illinois bar, or membership in another state bar and willingness to take the Illinois bar exam within 6 months.
Experience in the energy, environmental, consumer protection, and/or public interest fields.
Motivated independent worker, comfortable taking the lead on assigned issues.
Strong legal research, writing (especially persuasive writing), and editing skills.
Attention to detail, ability to become familiar with technical and complex information on short time frames.
Strong critical thinking and analytic skills.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work effectively within a fast-paced, dynamic, and creative environment.

Preferred Skills and Qualifications:
At least two (2) years of experience with renewable energy programs or development, administrative law, or public interest fields.

The Associate Legal Counsel is prohibited from: (i) owning, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the voting capital stock of an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (ii) being in any chain of successive ownership of 5% or more of the voting capital stock of any electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier; (iii) receiving any form of compensation, fee, payment, or other consideration from an electric utility, independent power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier, including legal fees, consulting fees, bonuses, or other sums. These limitations do not apply to any compensation received pursuant to a defined benefit plan or other form of deferred compensation, provided that the individual has otherwise severed all ties to the utility, power producer, power marketer, or alternative retail electric supplier.

This is a merit compensation position. Position Salary Range: $75,000-$100,000. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is a hybrid position and will require in-office and field work periodically.

To apply, please submit a cover letter that describes your interest in and qualifications for the position, resume, and three professional references along with your online application.

Applications without a cover letter describing the applicant's relevant experience and why the applicant would be a strong candidate for this position will not be reviewed for consideration.

No phone calls please.

The Illinois Power Agency is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.