Metropolitan Planning Council
Chicago, IL
About MPC:
For more than 80 years, the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) has made the Chicago region a better place to live and work by partnering with businesses, communities and governments to address the area’s toughest planning and development challenges. MPC is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with an established tract-record of high-quality research, advocacy and demonstration projects to help our region and its local communities thrive. MPC works to solve today's urgent problems—with a focus on economic development, vibrant neighborhoods, quality housing and transportation choices and well-managed natural assets—and we think ahead to prepare the region for the needs of tomorrow.
With a current professional staff of 23, three Senior Fellows and a team of Research Assistants MPC’s 2016 budget is $3.6 million. More information on MPC can be found online at: https://www.metroplanning.org
The position:
In pursuit of its mission, MPC is hiring a full-time Research Associate to assist in both qualitative and quantitative research and data analysis to better illuminate pathways to sensible, equitable and sustainable growth for the Chicago region.
MPC is seeking persons with strong interests in, and aptitude for, designing and conducting policy research across a range of substantive areas. The Research Associate will be responsible for designing data collection protocols; assisting in management of the organization’s data inventory and the execution of a multifaceted research agenda; performing comprehensive data analyses; advising staff on their research needs; utilizing data visualization to convey findings; and translating data to develop sound public policy in the areas of housing,community and economic development, transportation, infrastructure finance, water resources, stormwater management and other planning issues.The position offers the opportunity to work closely with multiple colleagues, functions and teams both internally and externally.The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of working both collaboratively and individually on research and data analysis to support organizational goals.
This position reports to MPC’s Director of Research and Evaluation, Alden Loury, and will work closely with him to ensure that organization-wide strategies and research objectives are aligned with MPC’s strategic plan.
Primary responsibilities:
- Design data collection and management protocols
- Acquire, clean and manage publicly available datasets; ensure quality control
- Create unique datasets to serve MPC’s public policy and urban planning needs
- Conduct primary (surveys, interviews, focus groups, etc.) and secondary data collection and research;perform data analysis
- Perform spatial data analysis in GIS programs and produce map-based findings and products
- Produce blog content, social media posts, policy briefings and reports for publicationto communicate and disseminate findings
- Monitor peer research, follow trends and produce high-quality research reports and presentations to share internally at weekly staff meetingsand monthly staff brownbags
- Produce research results in a number of formats, including MPC publications, journal articles, conference presentations, social media and donor reports
- Work closely with MPC’s communication’s team to share primary research and articles with variety of audiences, including public officials and the media
- Engage and partner with business, government, academia and other civic sector leaders
Qualifications:
MPC is seeking a highly motivated individual with a background in public policy, research, finance, journalism or urban planning. Strong relationship, project management, analytical and policy development skills are desirable. The ability to work in teams is essential. The ideal candidate will be an organized, high-energy individual who thrives in a collegial work environment and must be able to juggle multiple deadlines at once.
A minimum of two years project management experience that demonstrates the ability to manage multiple competing priorities and deadlines in a policy-driven environment is strongly preferred. The ideal candidate will have a master's degree in an area requiring integrative and analytical thinking (e.g. Social Sciences, Economics, Finance, Statistics Public Policy, or Urban Planning)
Knowledge, skills and abilities:
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills
- Knowledge of datasets and the ability to quickly gather data and analyze large datasets
- Ability to establish credibility by building an innovative portfolio of research and program work that advances MPC’s mission.
- Ability to multi-task among competing, often changing needs
- Experience and training in data visualization theory and practice; proficient in Adobe creative suite
- Experience with GIS programs such as ArcMap or QGIS and online mapping libraries (Google maps, Cartodb, etc.); strong spatial analysis and mapping skills
- Visual thinker; excellent graphics and communicationsskills, both oral and written, to convey complex data to the public and audiences with different levels of expertise; ability to tell stories with data
- Entrepreneurial self-starter who can work independently and in teams to deliver high-quality work in a fast-paced environment
- Enjoys a fast-paced, intellectually stimulating workplace
- Ability to be successful working in an entrepreneurial environment where limited resources are leveraged to produce maximum results
- Curious about challenges facing the Chicago region and ideas for solutions
- Passionate about the body of issues that MPC addresses and committed to supporting the organization’s mission
- High degree of professionalism, with a demonstrated ability to manage responsibilities with alacrity, integrity and tact; displays mature judgement
- Strategic thought partner adept at interacting with staff at all levels and comfortable developing research agendas, approaches and communications opportunities
How to apply:
Please send the following materials by e-mail to:
Skyler Larrimore
SLarrimore@metroplanning.org
Metropolitan Planning Council
140 S. Dearborn, Suite 1400
Chicago, Ill. 60603
1. Cover letter describing how your experience relates to the job description
2. Your résumé and salary history
3. Three writing samples showing evidence of comprehensive data analysis, geospatial analysis and data visualization
4. Three references
No phone calls please.
For more information on MPC, please visit our website: www.metroplanning.org
MPC is an equal opportunity employer.