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Associate, Metropolitan Planning Council - Chicago, IL

Associate

The Opportunity
MPC is hiring a full-time associate to support the current and future projects that deepen the organization’s housing and community development impact. MPC is seeking a highly motivated individual with a background in affordable housing development and policy, community development and/or urban planning. Strong relationship, project management, policy development and facilitation skills are essential. This individual will support MPC’s two-year study on the cost of economic isolation and be a part of developing new and innovative community development initiatives.      
The position will report to MPC’s director for these programs and projects, Marisa Novara. 
The Position
Primary responsibilities:
  • Managing outreach for the Cost of Economic Isolation, a 20-month study in partnership with the Urban Institute. The position will coordinate across 30+ local and national policy advisors to develop strategies and policies. In addition, this individual will assist in producing three products over the course of the study and will:
    • Conduct research that informs Urban’s work as well as policy advisors.
    • Work with MPC’s communications team to write about and share materials with a variety of audiences, including elected officials and the media.
    • Translate lessons learned into policy reform recommendations, to be communicated through original reports, policy briefings and dialogue with elected officials.
Duties also will include:
  • Engaging external partners such as the Illinois Housing Development Authority, Chicago Housing Authority, HUD and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning in ongoing and new policies and projects.
  • Assisting with community-based planning efforts for Transit-Oriented Development through the Corridor Development Initiative, in which community members work with a team of development professionals to create specific, financeable proposals.
  • 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 master's degree in Public Policy, Urban Planning or other relevant field, and has at least three years of relevant work experience. For a more experienced candidate, we will consider restructuring the role as a Manager.
A qualified candidate:
  • is a creative thinker able to help build MPC’s housing and community development work 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;
  • is passionate about the body of issues that MPC addresses and committed to supporting the organization’s mission;
  • enjoys a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating workplace;
  • is an excellent writer and an articulate speaker in a range of settings;
  • is both entrepreneurial and executes skillfully on assigned work;
  • has a working knowledge of relevant actors and institutions in the Chicago region; and
  • has experience communicating complex ideas to a diverse, public audience.
Since 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.
How to Apply
Please send the following materials by e-mail or mail:
  1. A letter detailing how your experience relates to the job description 
  2. Your résumé and salary history
  3. A brief writing sample 
  4. Three references
Angelina Leyva
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400
Chicago, Ill. 60603
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.
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