Policy Analyst (PAF016)
September 19, 2011
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning Job Category: Associate or Senior Level
Experience Required: Four or more years experience
Salary Range: Commensurate with level hired
The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire a Policy Analyst. 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
Metropolitan Chicago’s freight system links us to the global economy. Nearly everything we buy as consumers must reach us by rail or truck, including the food we eat and the clothes we wear. By any measure, our region is the nation’s hub of rail and truck freight. Six of the nation’s seven major railroads have large terminals here, with nearly 500 freight trains operating daily. But even more freight in our region moves by trucks, which carry about 1.5 billion tons of freight annually compared to 631 million tons by rail. Highways, railroads, waterways, and airports all provide important connections to the world and efficient freight movement is significant to our regional economy. Yet each of these modes of transport is intertwined with the livability of the region. Therefore, planning for an efficient, regional, multimodal freight system is a key priority of GO TO 2040.
The following are recommendations to improve the efficiency and interconnectedness of the region’s freight systems:
- Develop a national vision and federal program for freight.
- Organize and improve public policy relating to freight.
- Integrate freight needs and financing into infrastructure prioritization.
- Support Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) rail system improvements.
- Support regional trucking improvements, including truckways, truck routes, truck parking, and delivery time management.
The Policy Analyst will be responsible for leading and furthering the agency’s roles and responsibilities in regional policy matters around the freight industry, with a focus on developing and implementing a strategy to further the first three recommendations listed above in the Freight section of the GO TO 2040 plan.
Essential Functions:
- Work with key stakeholders to implement the adopted freight system recommendations in the GO TO 2040 Regional Comprehensive Plan.
- Prioritize work on governance, financing, and workforce issues and strategies with regard to freight.
- Identify freight research topics that lead to projects, programs or funding partnerships that enhance the movement of freight.
- Manage independent freight studies and produce reports and issue briefs.
- Coordinate with existing staff in the CMAP congestion management process program on issues around transportation infrastructure planning and operational improvements.
- Establish relationships and act as a resource for freight issues with other governmental organizations and the private sector.
- Other responsibilities as directed by supervisor.
Specifically, this position will:
- Provide leadership on efforts exploring efficient governance structures that will guide investments and advocate on behalf of the region.
- Analyze financing issues with regards to freight and identify potential revenue streams, including analysis of user fee and other pricing structures.
- Analyze labor market trends with the freight industry cluster, and help to identify gaps in the workforce system.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
- Superior project management skills and a demonstrated ability to perform policy analysis and lead complex tasks in tandem with diverse stakeholders.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to complement existing projects via independent or team-based work.
- Demonstrated ability to set public policy agendas and work towards accomplishing goals.
- Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate complex topics effectively before an audience.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to generate findings from data and present results. Direct experience in and/or demonstrated knowledge of the dynamics of the regional economy including issues of labor supply and demand.
- Knowledge and understanding of the governance structure in metropolitan Chicago, particularly in regards to transportation and economic development.
Education and/or Experience:
- A Master’s degree in Public Policy, Planning, Economics, Public Administration or a related field is required.
- Four or more years of project management experience in a public policy environment is required.
- Direct experience with economic development, transportation, freight policy or freightoriented economic development is preferred.
- Work experience should clearly indicate an increasing level of leadership and project management responsibility over time.
Contact Information Send your resume, cover letter with contact information and Job Code (PAF016) 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.