Redistricting Mapping Consultant - Chicago

REDISTRICTING MAPPING CONSULTANT
Posted by: The Illinois Campaign for Accountable Redistricting (Employer Profile)

Posted date: Jan-01-11

Location: Chicago

The Illinois Campaign for Accountable Redistricting (ICAR) is an alliance of the Asian American Institute, Chicago Appleseed Fund for Justice, Citizen Advocacy Center, CHANGE! Illinois, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, Illinois Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, League of Women Voters of Illinois, and Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. We are non-profit, non-partisan organizations committed to bringing greater accountability, accessibility and transparency during the 2011 Illinois state redistricting process. ICAR members share the belief that fundamental flaws exist in the current redistricting system which inappropriately allows legislators to choose voters versus voters choosing legislators. ICAR seeks to advocate for a redistricting process that promotes fairness, transparency, accountability, citizen participation and true electoral competition.


RESPONSIBILITIES: The ICAR Mapping Consultant will be responsible for working with ICAR steering committee members and the ICAR Coordinator to:

1. Generate maps that the ICAR can utilize to illustrate alternative legislative districts to those proposed by the Illinois General Assembly and maps which illustrate shifts in relevant demographics since the last redistricting. This will include but is not limited to:

a. Acquire and format data sets from the American Community Survey and 2010 PL 94-171 block data for Illinois.

b. Acquire current shape files for Illinois.

c. Work with representatives of ICAR organizations to identify communities of interest.

d. Use GIS-based redistricting software to generate draft maps of state legislative districts that represent African-American, Asian and Latino populations. The maps must be consistent with the Voting Rights Act and reflect communities of interest. This will be a highly iterative process. The analyst should be prepared to spend significant time with members to explore a number of different district boundary possibilities.

e. Respond to technical questions from ICAR staff and members and communicate with the software developer to resolve any problems that arise. Stay apprised of new technologies and innovation related to redistricting software and web-based display of maps and apply these in order to make the draft maps easily accessible on the Internet. In cases in which community organizations use different mapping applications, work with other GIS technicians on the display of alternative maps that can be evaluated together.

f. Prepare maps, as directed and as time permits, in a variety of formats suitable for internet, e-mail, print, interactive community meetings and other applications.



2. Participate in, and provide the technical expertise for, community mapping forums wherein specific communities of interest will have an opportunity to, for the first time, engage and build the capacity of the public to participate in the redistricting process including establishing criteria for maps and drawing maps.

3. Evaluate maps that are produced by competitions sponsored by ICAR partners.

4. Work with ICAR partners to explore the feasibility of, and if possible to design, a consensus map that can be presented as a coalition-sponsored alternative to the General Assembly’s proposal..

5. Evaluate proposed maps issued by the General Assembly in a timely manner and, if deemed necessary by the ICAR steering committee, prepare alternative maps and give testimony at public hearings.
Assist the ICAR steering committee in developing policy recommendations relevant to the redistricting map drawing process.




Post Details
Job Title REDISTRICTING MAPPING CONSULTANT
Posted By The Illinois Campaign for Accountable Redistricting
Application Method Email to Agency, Other: See job description for instructions
Job Function Redistricting Mapping Consultant
Salary Range Not Applicable
Start Date January 2011
Hourly Wage Range Not Applicable
City Chicago
Deadline Jan-14-11
Email Nellyilcampaign.org
Mandatory Job Qualifications Qualifications: College degree and at least five years of relevant mapping experience. using GIS.

* The position requires a detail-oriented, flexible, self-starter with a professional presentation and the capacity to liaison effectively with several organizations.
* Effective oral, written and cartographic skills.
* Experience with ESRI’s ArcGIS desktop applications. Knowledge of legislative redistricting and redistricting software applications preferred.
* Familiarity with Census data and TIGER files.
* Ability to work independently, with excellent troubleshooting and problem- solving skills.

Desired Qualifications This is a project-based contract position beginning in January 2011. Work schedule will fluctuate between part- and full-time hours, based in part on the General Assembly’s conduct of the redistricting process. We offer a competitive salary and flexible benefits package. Some in-state travel and evening hours will be required. The ICAR Mapping Consultant will be housed in Chicago at the Illinois Campaign for Political reform (ICPR), a steering committee member of ICAR, although if the consultant has better access to hardware and software through another office the location of the work may be flexible. ICPR will serve as ICAR’s fiscal agent, provide basic accounting and administrative support, to ensure communication, efficiency and the ability to establish an office economically. The ICAR Mapping Consultant will regularly consult with, report to, and be accountable to the ICAR steering committee.


To Apply: candidates should send or fax their resume, a cover letter stating qualifications and salary requirements, and any related documents, care of Nelly Viramontes, Illinois Campaign for Political Reform, 325 W. Huron, Suite 706, Chicago, IL 60654; (312) 335-1067 fax; nellyatilcampaign.org. No calls please. Deadline: Jan. 14, 2010.

ICAR is an equal opportunity employer that values a diverse staff. All personnel matters, including, but not limited to hiring, promotion, salary review and termination, shall be considered without regard to age, race, creed, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, gender, pregnancy, disability, political affiliation or veteran status. MDN will comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all applicable state law.
Job Categories
Job Type Job Type -> Full-time
Type of Work Type of Work -> Program Management
Location Location -> Chicago / Cook County

http://www.npo.net/job/2011-01-01/20495