Position Title
Associate
Location
Chicago Loop (Hybrid)
Description
The Associate will support MPC’s program team and will work to advance projects across thriving communities, equitable infrastructure, and just public systems portfolios. The position will report to the Senior Director and also work closely with others on staff in multi-disciplinary project teams.
Full description and instructions for applying are available here.
About MPC
Dedicated to shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) believes that every community is valued. Every person has a voice. And every neighborhood thrives. Since 1934, this independent, nonpartisan organization has served metropolitan Chicago’s communities and residents to change perceptions, reimagine conversations, and defy the status quo. Through thoughtful collaboration with local communities, businesses, and governments, MPC is a bold change-maker, addressing the region’s toughest planning and development challenges. We believe that strong partnerships rooted in respect and trust are critical to creative and effective problem-solving.
MPC is a values-driven workplace, and we are seeking to expand our team. Successful team members are curious and collaborative with strong communication and project management skills who recognize the connections between our core areas of work and seek to affect meaningful change. Central to living our values is embracing MPC’s organizational commitment to an anti-racist, anti-oppressive workplace and centering equity in strengthening our internal policies and practices.
Scope of Role
The Associate will support research, advocacy, and project coordination for a range of initiatives that advance MPC’s policy development and technical assistance work. The Associate performs task management in support of projects, managing internal and external scheduling and communications to project partners, conducts foundational research, provides meeting summaries and documentation, and well as supports tracking project outcomes.
Key Responsibilities
- Project coordination and administrative support for projects that advance and prioritize equitable investment and development, participatory planning, and inclusive economic development.
- Supports education and development of economic impact tools such as the ETOD Social Impact Calculator, Equitable Financial Incentives tool, and Equitable Transit-Oriented Development Scorecard
- Conducts stakeholder outreach and engagement, meeting management, and documentation and tracking project outcomes
- Conducts research including literature reviews and environmental scans on specific issues as well as analysis of local and state policy and relevant best practices in policy and implementation
- Collects and synthesizes quantitative and qualitative data findings
- Engages in advocacy activities including developing and delivering testimony, and interacting with lawmakers, other public officials, and advocacy organizations
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
MPC seeks an individual who thrives in a collegial work environment, is proactive, and can manage multiple priorities. Given the nature of our work and the demands associated with remote and social-distanced working models, the Associate will need to be a nimble and creative team member with the emotional intelligence, compassion, patience, sense of humor, and interpersonal communication skills to test and embrace new ways of working. The ideal candidate has at least two years of relevant professional experience in a policy-oriented organization working on built environment issues. Has an academic and/or professional background in public policy, advocacy, urban planning, climate resilience, environmental sustainability, architecture and design, or community development.
Education & Experience
- At least two years of relevant experience supporting policy or programmatic initiatives
- Demonstrated project management and time management skills in successful completion of projects
- A bachelor's degree in public policy, public administration, urban planning or other relevant fields is preferred, with a postgraduate degree highly desirable. Depth of experience may be substituted for formal or degree certification
- Experience in the field of commercial or community development or strong knowledge of the development process is preferred
- Experience with Arc GIS and mapping tools is preferred, but not required
MPC is a collaborative organization. This is a hybrid position in which employees work at least twice a week from our Chicago Headquarters, with remote work offered up to three days a week. Travel is expected to be local as needed with future travel expectations to shift based on safe travel advisory and business needs.
How to apply:
Please submit the following materials:
1) A cover letter articulating your specific interest in the role and what you will bring to it or a short and relevant writing sample
2) Your résumé; or CV
Compensation and Benefits:
The Salary range for this position is $56,700-$62,000.
For the 2023 Benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full-time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full-time employees with a hybrid work environment, office and floating holidays, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to onsite fitness center.