Local Technical Assistance Program
Assistant Planner (AP054)
April 24, 2013
Company/Agency:
Chicago Metropolitan Agency
for Planning
Job
Category: Assistant Planner
Experience
Required: Up
to 2 years for the Assistant Planner level
Salary
Range: Commensurate with experience
and level hired
The
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire a full-time
Assistant Planner to help implement the Local Technical Assistance (LTA)
program. Compensation will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
CMAP
was created in 2005 to integrate planning for land use and transportation in
the counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, and Will. In
October 2010, CMAP released GO TO 2040, the region’s long-range comprehensive
plan. The agency is now focusing on implementing the plan, which includes
technical assistance to local governments as a major activity. For more
information on GO TO 2040, visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/2040.
Position
Description
CMAP
will recruit a planner at the Assistant level with the knowledge, experience,
and skills to assist in the implementation of local technical assistance
projects, focusing on the intersection between housing, land use, and
transportation, with particular interest in zoning.
The
LTA program was initiated in spring 2011 to create new resources for local
planning in the Chicago region. It is designed to result in a series of
innovative local projects that support livability principles, implement GO TO
2040, and build capacity in local communities. Approximately 50 projects are
currently underway, and over 30 have been completed, with more planned to begin
throughout 2013. Projects include comprehensive plans, corridor or subarea
plans, zoning revisions, studies of special topics such as housing or economic
development, and similar planning activities. This program requires travel
throughout the region; candidates must have the ability and willingness to work
with communities across the region. For more information on the LTA program,
please visit www.cmap.illinois.gov/lta.
Essential
Functions
Qualifications
and skills for the positions include:
·
Knowledge of local planning practice in northeastern Illinois,
including plan and ordinance preparation, development review, and the role of
appointed and elected officials.
·
Experience
in comprehensive planning and understanding the links between transportation,
land use, housing, economic development, environment and natural resources, and
community development.
·
Interest
in zoning ordinances and other development regulations.
·
Ability
to provide technical assistance, conduct training and workshops, and develop
innovative, collaborative solutions to build local capacity.
·
Experience
working with elected officials and local government staff in designing and
implementing policies and strategies that support sustainability and address
socioeconomic inequities.
·
Excellent
written and oral communication skills.
·
Strong
organizational and time management skills and attention to detail.
·
Interest
and ability to interact with partner agencies, local governments, and the
general public.
·
Ability
to work on complex projects, coordinate tasks for multiple projects
concurrently, and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Knowledge,
Skills and Abilities
The candidate
should have interest and some experience in reviewing, assessing, revising, and
writing zoning ordinances and other local codes and development regulations.
The candidate should be knowledgeable about regulatory mechanisms that support
sustainable planning concepts like mixed-use development, parking management
strategies, conservation design, and similar concepts. Familiarity with
innovative zoning techniques such as hybrid or form-based codes, as well as the
LEED-ND system, is desired. The ability to use GIS systems and graphics /
layout programs (primarily InDesign and other Adobe Creative Suite products as
well as SketchUp) to create visuals for inclusion in plans and development
regulations is also desired.
It is understood
that candidates for the Assistant position will have limited work experience,
but they should demonstrate strong interest and familiarity with zoning and also
demonstrate the organizational skills and attention to detail that this work
requires. Demonstrated ability to contribute to complex projects and work as
part of a team is required.
Education and/or
Experience
A Masters degree
in Planning or a related discipline is required. Assistant level positions are
filled by candidates with up to 2 years of experience.
Contact
Information
Send
your resume, cover letter with contact information and Job Code: AP054
Email:
hresources@cmap.illinois.gov
Mail:
Human
Resources
CMAP:
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
233
S. Wacker Drive, Suite 800
Chicago,
IL 60606
Position
open until filled. The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning is an Equal
Opportunity Employer.