Associate, Metropolitan Planning Council - Chicago, IL

Associate

The OpportunitySince 1934, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has been dedicated to shaping a more sustainable and prosperous greater Chicago region. As an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, MPC serves communities and residents by developing, promoting and implementing solutions for sound regional growth. 

Over the past decade, MPC’s sustainable water resources agenda has greatly evolved and expanded.  Some of our initiatives, such as modernizing Illinois’ water infrastructure financing programs and the Calumet Stormwater Collaborative, are in full stride. A new initiative, Great Rivers Chicago, is launching now. The full spectrum of our work requires policy and programmatic coordination by multiple partners across municipal, county and state borders, as well as the communication of complex technical issues through stores and visually engaging data. The ideal candidate will be equally adept at understanding and communicating state, city and suburban policies and concerns. MPC is increasingly called upon to share the lessons of our work nationally, and throughout the Great Lakes.

The PositionMPC is hiring a full-time associate to support the current and future projects that deepen the organization’s environmental policy, community development and economic development impact.   MPC is seeking a highly motivated individual with a background in urban planning, sustainable development, engineering, marketing, finance and/or environmental policy. Strong relationship and project management skills and versatility are absolutely essential.  At the outset, this associate will support MPC’s programming in sustainable water resources management and Great Rivers Chicago, and be a part of developing new and innovative initiatives.

The position will report directly to MPC’s director for these programs and projects, Josh Ellis.

Duties may include:

• Supporting the Calumet Stormwater Collaborative, which includes 25+ local, county, state and federal government agencies, as well as several non-governmental stakeholders, in the development, execution and communication of a joint work plan for systemic stormwater improvements
• Engaging the greater Chicago area in creative neighborhood and stakeholder outreach in support of Great Rivers Chicago.

• Supporting MPC’s legislative and administrative work to modernize Illinois’ water management policies.

• Conducting research that informs communications materials which share MPC’s work through a variety of platforms and to a variety of audiences, including elected officials and the media.

• Translating lessons learned into policy reform recommendations, to be communicated through original reports, policy briefings, and dialogue with elected officials.
• Assisting one or more on-the-ground stormwater management initiatives, including local stakeholder engagement, cultivation of private sector partners, and reporting to government agencies.
• Researching best practices in water resources management for white papers and policy briefs, while also writing original content for a lay audience through newsletters, blog posts, and social media feeds.

• Coordinating public roundtable events and workshops to further MPC’s initiatives.

MPC seeks an organized, high-energy individual who thrives in a collegial work environment and can juggle multiple deadlines at once. The ideal candidate holds a masters degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Policy or other relevant field, has at least two years or relevant work experience and:

is a creative thinker able to help build MPC’s environmental programming, and integrate it with other emerging MPC initiatives;

• is a self-starter, able to prioritize, handle concurrent tasks and projects, and work in a fluid environment;
• is able to communicate directly and work collaboratively with staff colleagues and external partners;
• desires to make a positive impact on the greater Chicago region;
• is patient and eager to learn;
• is passionate about the body of issues that MPC addresses and committed to supporting the organization’s mission;
• has a sense of humor;
• is an excellent writer and an articulate speaker;
• is both entrepreneurial and executes skillfully on assigned work;
• has a working knowledge of regional actors and institutions in Illinois and Indiana;
• is familiar with ArcGIS software and geospatial analysis, statistical analysis, and basic graphic design software; and,
• has experience communicating complex ideas to a diverse, public audience.

Please send: 

1) A letter detailing how your experience relates to the job being filled;

2) Your résumé and salary history; and

3) A short writing sample (2-3 pages) to:

Angie Leyva
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400
Chicago, IL 60603
or ALeyva@metroplanning.org    

No phone calls please. For more information on MPC, please visit our website: www.metroplanning.org
MPC is an equal opportunity employer.