CMAP Assistant Policy Analyst - Transportation

Assistant Policy Analyst - Transportation (APAT014)

Company/Agency: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Job Category: Assistant
Experience Required: 0-2 years
Minimum Starting Salary : $42,000

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire an Assistant Policy Analyst for the Policy Development Division. The primary focus will be transportation. CMAP is the official regional planning organization for the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. CMAP developed and now leads the implementation of GO TO 2040, metropolitan Chicago's first comprehensive regional plan in more than 100 years. To
address anticipated population growth of more than 2 million new residents, GO TO 2040 establishes coordinated strategies that help the region’s 284 communities address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. See www.cmap.illinois.gov for more information.

Position Description
The Assistant Policy Analyst will collect, manage, and analyze various data sources related to the transportation system and transportation funding in metropolitan Chicago. The position will produce a range of products, primarily in the form of issue briefs and reports. The goal is for these products to be compelling and persuasive, and have an impact on public policy, especially the
ongoing regional, state, and national dialogue about the allocation of scarce revenues and a potential shift toward new and innovative financing for infrastructure. Where appropriate, this position will participate on CMAP committees and other regional groups, and work to enhance the agency’s awareness of ongoing efforts by the region’s implementers to modernize and enhance the highway and transit system of northeastern Illinois.

Essential Functions:
1. Produce reports and issue briefs that align with the implementation action areas in GO TO 2040’s regional mobility chapter:
http://www.cmap.illinois.gov/documents/20583/7a2750e9-d52c-4e4e-b405-
5511357976e5
2. Collect and maintain new data sources, and work with other staff to maximize the
effectiveness of existing CMAP data.
3. Produce qualitative and quantitative analysis of a range of transportation data.
4. Enhance the agency’s capacity to produce long range financial forecasts for
transportation revenues and expenditures.
5. Analyze and develop reports or briefs on innovative financing issues including
congestion pricing, public private partnerships, and other timely issues.
6. Analyze the impacts of potential evaluation criteria for selecting transportation projects.
7. Monitor and evaluate federal, state, and regional policy issues related to transportation
and other closely related areas.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively on issues of public policy
and planning.
• Excellent data management skills and the ability to manipulate and analyze large data
sources in spreadsheets and databases.
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex research projects and produce reports and issue
briefs that are factual, original, compelling and persuasive.
• Direct and recent experience utilizing geographical information systems (GIS) applications
to analyze data and produce findings.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis, including multivariate analysis.
• Experience analyzing issues of public finance policies related to transportation.
• An ability to apply microeconomic theory and empirical evidence toward practical
purposes, and a demonstrated interest in the complex connections between transportation,
development, and the metropolitan economy.
• Familiarity with the transportation system and the governance structure of northeastern
Illinois.

Education and/or Experience:
A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Planning, Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field is required. Recent transcripts may be requested. Transcripts should exhibit outstanding academic achievement and a focus on transportation issues, urban and regional policy, public finance, or closely related issues. Prior institutional experience in transportation is preferred, but not required.

Contact Information
Send your resume, cover letter with contact information and Job Code (APAT014)
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.
Position open until filled. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is an Equal Opportunity
Employer.