Relevant Career Interests: Urban Planning, Real Estate, Economic Development, Public
Administration/Policy, Affordable Housing
Company Description: Valerie S. Kretchmer Associates, Inc. is small a real estate and planning
consulting firm based in Evanston, IL (location is accessible by Metra, CTA Purple Line, CTA
and Pace buses). Clients include real estate developers, local and state governments, non-profit
organizations, community groups, and transit agencies among others.
Description & Responsibilities: Demographic data analysis, data collection, primary source
market research, field work, assistance in preparation of reports and presentations, including
tables and basic maps, general research, minimal administrative and clerical tasks.
Candidates must know Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access and Outlook, be able to
research and gather data efficiently, and be able to communicate and write clearly. Familiarity
with Microsoft Access is a plus. GIS knowledge is also favorable for understanding the context
of data, although candidates will not be asked to use a full-scale GIS in this position. Good time
management skills and attention to detail are also important. Candidates must have a driver’s
license, but not necessarily their own car.
Detail: The duties are very broad, as is the company’s client base, which includes private
developers, public bodies, and not-for-profit organizations. At the same time, tasks are generally
geared towards understanding the market context of development proposals or planning
initiatives and communicating this knowledge effectively to clients. This includes demographic
analysis using information from the US Census Bureau, other government sources, and vendors
of demographic data in Excel spreadsheets. The intern will also be involved in internet and
primary-source research on a wide array of topics relative to housing, economic development,
real estate development and community planning. This research may entail extensive telephone
calls, field work (i.e. outside the office), observational data collection, light land use analysis,
map making, and a wide variety of other tasks. Writing and presentation skills are important, as
the planner will assist in writing reports and preparing presentations to be submitted to clients
based on their research and data analysis.
Time Commitment: Full time in the summer; part-time after summer, approximately 15 hours
per week with some flexibility. Can be two full days or 3 partial days.
Salary: Commensurate with education and skills.
Contact: Ryan Holmes, Planner
2707 Walnut Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
847-864-8895 - Office
847-864-0103 – Fax
rholmes@kretchmerassociates.co
www.kretchmerassociates.com