Policy and
Program Analyst (PPA066)
July 17,
2014
Company/Agency:
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning
Job
Category: Assistant or Associate
Experience
Required: Assistant (0-2 years),
Associate (2-4 years)
Salary
Range: Commensurate with level hired
The
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire an analyst
in the Policy Development division who will specialize in analysis to support
the programming of transportation improvements in the region. 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 guides the
implementation of metropolitan Chicago's comprehensive regional plan, GO TO 2040,
which was adopted unanimously by leaders from across the seven counties in fall
2010. 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
GO TO 2040 regional comprehensive plan emphasizes the importance of making
transportation investment decisions based on rigorous criteria rather than on
arbitrary formulas. Since the plan was adopted, CMAP has been exploring ways to
enhance transportation programming in the state and region, including the
agency's own funding programs. The policy and program analyst will be
responsible for developing and executing methods to identify transportation
system needs and to evaluate expected project performance. The ideal candidate
for this position will have strengths in quantitative and qualitative policy
analysis, both of which are central to performance-based programming.
Essential Functions
· Assist with development
of transportation project evaluation methods, particularly for transit projects
but also highway, freight, and non-motorized projects.
· Produce reports to document
findings and recommendations.
· Make presentations to
CMAP committees and interact directly with stakeholders, which include
transportation professionals and elected officials.
· Help collect and
summarize information about programming techniques in use by other agencies in
the region and beyond.
· Help carry out highway
and transit system needs analyses to support long-range plan development.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- The
ability to write and communicate effectively on issues of public policy
and planning.
- Excellent
data management skills and the ability to collect, manipulate, and analyze
large data sources in spreadsheets and databases, as well as the
ability to generate and present findings from these data.
- Demonstrated
ability to lead moderately complex research projects.
- Knowledge of geographic
information systems (GIS).
- Familiarity with project evaluation tools such as Highway Capacity
Software or microsimulation software is desirable.
- Prior
experience in quantitative evaluation of transit projects and/or
transportation capital programming is preferred.
Education and/or
Experience
- A Master’s degree
in Planning, Engineering, Economics, Public Administration or a related
field is required.
- Ability to work
effectively in an environment using Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office
products, with adaptability to other software.
- Demonstrated skills
with desktop computer databases, spreadsheets, and ArcGIS software.
Contact Information
Via
email or U.S. mail, send your resume, cover letter with contact information,
and Job Code (PPA066).
U.S. Mail: Human Resources
Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP)
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.