Welcome to CUPPA Careers!

The College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at UIC is the University of Illinois System's home for the study of public policy and contemporary urban challenges. We are CUPPA.

In the heart of Chicago, we offer degrees in fields of study that can change your life and change the world. CUPPA students and alumni are uniquely skilled to build and transform sustainable urban neighborhoods and communities and to address the challenges presented in the 21st century. Find our more about our Bachelors, Masters, and Doctorate degrees at cuppa.uic.edu.

Follow our job postings below and our national job tweets at @CUPPACareers. For student internships and student opportunities, head to the CUPPA Student Opportunities Blog

Have a job or internship to post? Send an email with the title, location, job description, and contact information to cuppa@uic.edu

Programming & Grant Assistant, NIRPC

 SUMMARY OF THE POSITION:

Support the Development and Management of the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) (50%)

  • Support the development and management of the TIP program of projects, ensuring project data accuracy, fiscal constraint, and timely amendment/modification administration.
  • Collaboratively work with municipal and transit partners to review project funding. applications, amendments, and modifications.
  • Prepare monthly reports on financial position of the TIP including funds available, programmed, and obligated.
  • Support Quarterly Tracking and Transportation Resources and Oversight Committee meetings.
  • Other duties as needed.

Support the Transit Grant Writing and Management (50%)

  • Working collaboratively with NIRPC’s seven Federal Transit Administration (FTA) sub-recipients prepare and submit transit grants programmed in the TIP according to FTA regulations.
  • Working with the Procurement Coordinator, manage executed grants to ensure proper use of funds, and spend down of grants before grant deadlines.
  • Reconcile grants to ensure tracking documents balance with FTA figures.
  • Other duties as needed.

Minimum Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in Accounting, Finance, Public Management, or a related field where Microsoft Excel was used in coursework is preferred.
  • Entry-level hourly position with 1-2 years prior experience in federal grant management, specifically in relation to federal reporting desirable.
  • Practical knowledge, proficiency, and experience managing financial information in Microsoft Excel and other financial databases is required.
  • Willing to work independently and on a team.
  • Enthusiasm to continually learn/train to keep skills sharp and gain understanding of transportation planning principles, financial accounting guidelines and rules, and general requirements of Metropolitan Planning Organizations and Transit Operators.

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following through their written resume, cover letter, and in an interview:

  • Creativity and critical thinking skills
  • Ability to work independently and on a team
  • Good customer service to internal and external clients
  • Development and maintenance of strong professional relationships
  • Contributor to positive team dynamics
  • Management of their time and schedule
  • Ability to communicate clearly and transparently
  • Flexibility and an open mind
  • Excellent attention to details and organizational skills

STARTING SALARY PARAMETERS:   

$45 – $50,000 dependent upon qualifications or experience. NIRPC has a competitive benefits package, including health insurance, participation in Indiana Public Employees Retirement Fund, twelve paid holidays and a flexible work schedule.  

APPLICATION & TIMEFRAME: 

To be considered for this position, please submit all requested files to: 

Meredith Stilwell, Office Manager 
Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission 
6100 Southport Road 
Portage, IN 46368-6409 
219-763-6060 fax 219-370-6303 
mstilwell@nirpc.org 

  • A carefully written cover letter (single page),
  • Resume (no longer than two pages), and
  • Contact information for at least two professional references.

 Application materials should be submitted to NIRPC no later than December 17, 2021, though the position will remain open until filled in order to find the candidate with the best fit among professional qualifications, experience, and suitability to NIRPC’s mission.