Policy Intern Position, CMAP

Policy Intern (PI038)
March 9, 2012

Company/Agency: Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Job Category: Intern
Experience Current Enrollment in Graduate Program
Salary Range: $15.00 per hour

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire a Policy Intern. 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 intern will assist in the data collection, stakeholder interviewing, and analysis on CMAP’s Manufacturing Cluster Drill Downs and Human Capital Information Portal (both are GO TO 2040 implementation projects). The intern will produce written products and data analysis for the drill down analyses and prepare and manipulate data for the HCIP. The manufacturing project examines how the manufacturing industry cluster works in the region and analyzes important economic and labor market problems that industry faces. The HCIP is a new MetroPulse data portal designed to improve decision making around workforce development by integrating education, economic development, and workforce development data. The intern will participate in the development, analysis, and writing of CMAP reports, and will liaise with many important stakeholders. The position will also provide valuable training in analysis, research, data collection and manipulation, data presentation, GIS, and interview skills, all furthering the intern’s education and preparing them for a career in policy and planning.

Essential Functions
• Conduct, analyze, and write summaries of key stakeholder interviews for the drill down.
• Research the supply and demand for workforce in the manufacturing cluster, as well as the training, education, and certification requirements.
• Compile and synthesize relevant research pertaining to the industries within the
manufacturing cluster.
• Performing data cleaning and manipulation, analysis, and preparation of analytic work for professional publication and the HCIP.
• Perform GIS analysis of regional demographic dynamics.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
• Excellent writing skills and the ability to communicate effectively on issues of public policy and planning.
• Familiarity with data management, manipulation, and analysis of data sources in
spreadsheets and databases.
• Excellent communications skills, including a professional and pleasant demeanor, and the ability to conduct interviews across a broad range of substantive areas.
• Some knowledge of statistical analysis, including multivariate analysis.
• 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.
• Some familiarity with economic development policies and research is beneficial.

Education and Experience
A Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Planning, Public Administration, Economics, or a closely related field is required. Prior experience in economic development policy and research is preferred, but not required. Enrollment in a graduate program in fall 2011 is preferred; this should be an excellent summer internship for a graduate student. 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. While interns will be supervised by CMAP staff, they will be expected to take a high level of responsibility for their own work, and should be self-motivated. This is a full-time summer position and will begin May 14, 2012 and end August 17, 2012.

Minor start and end date accommodations may be made upon request.

Contact Information
Send resume, cover letter and contact information with Job Code: PI038

Email:
hresources@cmap.illinois.gov

Mail:
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Human Resources
233 S Wacker Drive Suite 800
Chicago, Illinois 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.