CMAP Senior Planner Position

Senior Planner Position
Local Technical Assistance Program


October 29, 2010
Company/Agency: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Job Category: Senior Planner (4 positions)
Experience Required: Five to ten years experience
Salary Range: $65,700 – $91,980

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire 4 full-time employees to help implement the Sustainable Communities Local Technical Assistance (LTA) program which will be funded through a three year grant. Both positions will be for the length of the grant only. Compensation will be commensurate with related qualifications and experience.
CMAP was created in 2005 to integrate planning for land use and transportation in the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. On October 13 of this year, CMAP released GO TO 2040, the region’s long-range comprehensive plan. The agency is now focusing on implementing the plan, which includes technical assistance to local governments as a major activity. For more information on GO TO 2040, visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/2040.
Position Description
The LTA program will create new resources for technical assistance and coordinate with existing technical assistance activities. It will result in a series of innovative, replicable projects in the Chicago region that support livability principles, implement GO TO 2040, and build capacity in local communities. This program will require travel throughout the region consistently working on-site at various municipalities; candidates must have the ability and willingness to work with communities across the region. The program is funded through the Sustainable Communities Initiative, a partnership between the federal agencies involved in transportation, housing and urban development, and the environment. To obtain more information on the program, visit
www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/20583/ae69da77-c17b-449e-bdc2-86a5c68c6013.

Qualifications and Skills
Senior Planner (4 positions)
CMAP will recruit 4 senior level planners that have the knowledge, experience, and skills to assist in the implementation of local technical assistance projects, focusing on the intersection between housing, land use, and transportation.
Qualifications and skills include:
 Thorough knowledge of local planning practice in northeastern Illinois, including plan and ordinance preparation, development review, and the role of appointed and elected officials.
 Expertise in comprehensive planning and understanding the links between transportation, land use, housing, economic development, environment and natural resources, and human services
 Ability to provide technical assistance, conduct training and workshops, and develop innovative, collaborative solutions to build local capacity.
 Commitment to be a steward of regional sustainability and ability to effectively address local concerns.
 Experience working with elected officials and local government staff in designing and implementing policies and strategies that support sustainability and address socioeconomic inequities.
 Excellent written and oral communication skills.
 Interest and ability to interact with partner agencies, local governments, and the general public.
 Ability to lead complex projects, develop and implement work plans including management of other staff, manage multiple projects simultaneously, and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Beyond these general qualifications, a number of topic-specific specializations are also desired. These include specialties in housing, real estate development, land use planning, and economic or community development. Skill sets for these topic-specific specializations include:
Housing
 Experience designing and implementing housing plans that include strategies to support affordable housing development.
 Knowledge of fair housing and experience in affirmatively furthering fair housing.
 Expertise in affordable housing strategies including inclusionary zoning and housing preservation.
 Knowledge of regulatory barriers to affordable housing and strategies to overcome these barriers.
 Ability to use housing as a platform for improving quality of life for all residents.
 Knowledge of measuring housing costs in ways that include transportation and energy.
 Experience in coordinating inter-jurisdictional agreements.
Real Estate Development
 Experience with development finance analyses, market analysis, and return on investment tools.
 Expertise in federal, state, and local financing and tax incentive programs for housing, community development, brownfield redevelopment, and economic development.
 Experience communicating financial feasibility and other technical analyses to community stakeholders and local government.
Land Use Planning
 Experience with preparing comprehensive plans, zoning ordinances, and other development regulations.
 Experience in development review at the local government level.
 Experience in brownfield remediation and redevelopment.
 Ability to use visualization methods to communicate the results of plans, ordinances, or other policies on the built environment.
Economic and Community Development
 Experience developing local economic and community development plans that engage a broad range of community stakeholders.
 Track record of designing and implementing innovative solutions to addressing community disinvestment.
 Knowledge of economic and community development strategies including arts and culture programs, public safety initiatives, business incentives, industry cluster strategies, special assessment districts, entrepreneurship programs, and workforce development initiatives.
 Experience working with diverse set of public and private stakeholders, including banks, police, schools, and the business community.
Education and/or Experience
A Masters degree in Planning or a related discipline with five to ten years experience is required. Demonstrated ability to manage complex projects is required.

Contact Information
Send your resume with cover letter and contact information and Job Code: LTA009
hresources@cmap.illinois.gov
Mail:
Human Resources
CMAP: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
233 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800
Chicago, IL 60606
Emailed resumes will receive an auto receipt. We do not send receipts for mailed resumes. Positions open until filled. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Several CMAP job opportunities available:
http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/careers-