CMAP Assistant and Associate Planner Positions

Local Technical Assistance Program
Assistant and Associate Planner Positions

Company/Agency: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Job Category: Assistant and Associate Planners (4 Positions)
Experience Required: See Education and Skills listed below
Salary Range: Contingent on level

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. All positions will be
for the length of the grant only. Recruitment will be at the levels listed above. The
range for an Assistant is $42,000 – $58,800, and the Associate is $52,500 – $73,500.
Compensation will be commensurate with the level hired into and 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
Planners (4 positions)
CMAP will recruit 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 for the positions include:
• Knowledge of local planning practice in northeastern Illinois, including plan and
ordinance preparation, development review, and the role of appointed and elected
officials.
• Experience 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 work on complex projects, and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Beyond these general qualifications, one or more of the topic-specific specializations
listed below are 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
• Knowledge of fair housing and experience in affirmatively furthering fair housing.
• Experience 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.
• Experience 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 Bachelors degree in Planning or a related discipline is required, and a Masters degree is preferred. Experience of up to 2 years is required for the Assistant level and 2 to 5 years for the Associate level. Demonstrated ability to manage and contribute to complex projects is required at both levels.

Contact Information:
Send your resume and cover letter with contact information and Job Code: LTA0011
Email:
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.