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

Research Associate - Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat

Job Title: Research Associate
Job Type: Full-Time
Location: Chicago, IL (Hybrid)
Salary: $58,000 - $66,000

JOB SUMMARY
CTBUH is seeking an intermediate researcher and database analyst to work in our Research and Thought Leadership team which manages the world’s pre-eminent repository of tall building information and a growing database of urban infrastructure, demographics, livability metrics, and more. This role involves maintaining and enhancing our tall building database, which contains over 40,000 buildings complete with images and vital statistics. As CTBUH grows, this role will play a critical role in developing a similar database of urban demographics, growth patterns, infrastructure, environmental metrics, and more. The ideal candidate will have hands-on experience with SQL databases and be familiar with backend development and will help - CTBUH upgrade and maintain these growing platforms. The database is a critical component of the research that CTBUH, its members, and industry leaders, conduct. This new colleague will help the organization strengthen its ability to accurately cover the rapidly increasing pace of skyscraper design, construction, and their relations to the spread of high-density cities, and to help develop and maintain the quality and integrity of data already established. 

Please email resume and cover letter to careers@ctbuh.org.

Journeys End Refugee Services VISTA, The Service Collaborative of WNY Inc. - Buffalo, NY

 

At a glance
$24K/yr
Medical coverage plus paid time off
Onsite, based in Buffalo, New York, United States
Work in person from the location
Job
Full-timeFrom April 7 to April 7
US work authorization required

As an AmeriCorps member in the VISTA program, you will support an organization to make sustainable change in areas that affect poverty, including education, public health, climate, access to benefits, and more. Through activities such as fundraising, grant writing, research, and volunteer recruitment, you will gain professional experience and leadership skills. This opportunity prepares you for a life of service in the public, private, or nonprofit sector. 

 

Journey's End Refugee Services 

JERS is a community-based organization with the mission of welcoming refugees without regard to ethnic origin or creed and to assist them to become healthy, independent, contributing members of the community. Journey’s End’s purpose is to provide refugees with the resources and support they need to become successful, active and contributing members of the Western New York Community. Journey's End Refugee Services (JERS) has been serving the WNY community for 39 years providing essential services for the immigrant and refugee population. The programs offered at JERS make up a staggering list of wraparound supports to ensure clients can succeed in their new community 

 

Community Outreach VISTA : The VISTA will support Journey's End Refugee Services' mission to help refugees by assisting the Community Outreach Department. Key responsibilities include recruiting, training, and managing volunteers, coordinating in-kind donations, building community partnerships, and providing team support. The VISTA will work closely with the Community Outreach Coordinator to help build capacity for the program to help expand their reach in the Western New York Community. 

 

Language Access VISTA: The Language Access VISTA will support the Interpreting Department by implementing new scheduling software, improving Journey’s End’s language access plan, assisting with educational curriculum development, and collecting client feedback surveys. This role will help ensure that Journey's End clients receive high-quality language access services to meet their health and other needs.

 

Required Academic and Experience Qualification 

Must be a U.S. Citizen, national or lawful permanent resident alien.

Able to provide the following documentation: birth certification, driver’s license or state photo ID, social security card, and high school diploma or college degree.

Must undergo a national criminal history check. 

 

Member Benefits 

An annual living stipend $957.46 biweekly, or $24,893.96 annually pre-tax.

An AmeriCorps Eli Segal Education Award of $7,395.00 OR $1,800 cash stipend, provided after successful completion of service term. 

Post Service federal employment incentives and opportunities – NCE non-competitive eligibility.

Basic health insurance. 

Child Care assistance to those who qualify.

Monthly professional development and multiple training opportunities. 

Relocation Reimbursement – based on direct mileage between your home address and your VISTA service site (if moving 50 miles or more) and a Settling-In Allowance of $750 if you relocate within one month of start of service.   


Learn more/APPLY here!

Director - Neighborhood Strategy, Choose Chicago - Chicago, IL

 

Job Details

Corporate Headquarters - CHICAGO, IL
$90,000.00 - $100,000.00 Salary

Description

Position Title: Director, Neighborhood Strategy 

Department: Neighborhood Strategy 

FLSA Status: Exempt  

Reports To: Vice President, Neighborhood Strategy 

Effective Date: February 2025 

 

Choose Chicago is the official sales and marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global visitor destination to business and leisure travelers.  

 

POSITION SUMMARY  

The Director of Neighborhood Strategy will lead multi-faceted community-facing initiatives from start to finish, fostering meaningful connections between Choose Chicago and our 77 neighborhoods.  

 

The ideal candidate will create and implement strategies that promote equitable tourism and community engagement, ensuring local voices are heard and included in all aspects of the organization’s initiatives. The Director will oversee programs and partnerships that drive economic impact, amplify cultural narratives, and position Chicago’s neighborhoods as vibrant tourist destinations. 

Responsibilities will include strategic partnerships, program development, project management, advocacy and resource management.  

Per the organization’s hybrid work policy, employees are expected to be in the office three days per week.  

 

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 

  • Designs and leads project management in coordination with Vice President; provides regular reporting on projects and budget status. 

  • Provide overall leadership and accountability towards the fiscal management for all Neighborhood Strategy projects. 

  • Liaise with community partners on behalf of organization 

  • Liaise with the Marketing and Communications team 

  • Lead event planner and responsible for budget, logistics, vendor management, stakeholder engagement, and managing the day-of activities. 

  • Hospitality and tourism industry liaison, including work with publications and third-party organizations.   

  • Lead project manager on quarterly and annual stakeholder updates 

  • Support research and data collection projects to establish helpful benchmarking and progress tracking 

  • Supporting large-scale neighborhood and broader organizational initiatives  

  • Performs other duties as assigned.   

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS  

  • Bachelor’s degree in Social Science or Humanities preferred or equivalent practical experience which includes government service, project management, event planning press/media relations and executive stakeholder management. 

  • Minimum of ten (10) years of cumulative applicable experience- showing progressive growth and learning and/or training equal to the skill level needed to perform this position. 

  • Experience working with City officials, especially BACP, DPD, DCASE and Mayor’s Office.  

  • Experience working with small businesses and community organizations based in the neighborhoods. 

  • Experience with city-wide marketing campaigns and managing agencies. 

  • Familiarity of Chicago’s South and West Side neighborhoods 

 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  

  • Experience working directly with City departments and community engagement campaigns. 

  • Outstanding verbal and interpersonal skills for frequent interaction with agencies and neighborhood representatives 

  • Ability to think creatively, strategically and work within budget 

  • A strong team orientation is critical based on the collaborative culture required with all stakeholders 

  • Ability to illustrate a results-focused approach and commitment to going the extra mile for key stakeholders, including adapting quickly to situations and managing demands  

  • Energetic, self-starter and resourceful problem solver - keeps projects on timeline 

  • High attention to detail with the ability to manage and work simultaneously on multiple projects with conflicting demands for multiple clients/vendors, and to organize and meet tight deadlines  

  • Ability to effectively use MS Office products including but not limited to Word, Excel, Outlook, and Power Point 

  • High degree of confidentiality, discretion and sound judgment required 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS  

  • Ability to perform work utilizing a computer for extended periods of time  

  • Ability to sit for extended periods of time in performing the work  

  • Ability to grasp objects utilizing the fingers (fine motor manipulation)  

  • Ability to provide proof of vaccination 

  • Ability to travel by ground transportation (includes personal and/or public transportation) as required in performing work  

  • Ability to travel throughout the city  

  • Ability to work in office at least three days per week 

  • Ability to work off hours as needed in extenuating circumstances and third-party managed special events.  Including but not limited to attending business exchanges and venue openings/receptions/client appreciation events, media functions, etc.  

As the official destination marketing organization for Chicago, Choose Chicago’s mission is to enrich our community by attracting meetings, events, and leisure travelers to Chicago for the economic benefit of the city, the community, and our membership.   At times, Choose Chicago employees may be required to assist with events and other business-related meetings and functions as part of their regular duties outside of regular hours. 


APPLY here!

Office Associate, Dept. of Natural Resources - Springfield, IL

 

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources is looking to hire an Office Associate.  This position will provide specialized office support and type a variety of complex correspondence, statistical reports, edit and review material for accuracy, assists division staff with bid filing and bid opening process, perform data entry, queries of database and other clerical duties assigned within the division.  The ideal candidate will be able to utilize their organizational and communication skills along with their office experience.  We encourage all interested applicants to apply.

Essential Functions

  • Under direction, provides specialized clerical and administrative support for the Permitting Unit manager as well as other unit staff.
  • Assists Unit Manager and staff in administration of the department’s Abandoned Well Plugging and Restoration Program.
  • Performs data entry functions from various unit forms, permits, inputting specific data elements into Division database.
  • Performs research, using Division physical and computer well files to resolve problems on submitted forms.
  • Prepares weekly permit list from Division database of well drilling permits issued
  • Serves as back-up receptionist for Office.
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school and two years of office experience
  • Requires ability to keyboard accurately at 45 wpm

Preferred Qualifications

  • Two (2) years of extensive knowledge of office practices, procedures, and programs.
  • Two (2) years of extensive knowledge of composition, grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
  • Two (2) years of experience following oral or written instructions.
  • One (1) year of elementary knowledge of agency programs, rules, and regulations.

Coordinator - Donor Engagement, Lyric Opera of Chicago - Chicago, IL

 The Donor Engagement team executes direct-response appeals and communications to support the Fund for Lyric, specifically focusing on two key donor societies, the Friends of Lyric ($50-$4,999) and the Patrons of Lyric ($5,000-$24,999). The Coordinator is responsible for helping retain, grow, acquire, and reactivate contributed support by creating regular cultivation, retention, and stewardship communications, serving donors as a general inquiry contact point for donor engagement questions, and providing project management and administrative support for the Donor Engagement team.

 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Use the Prospect2 design platform and the project management tools Airtable and Ziflow to ensure that all Fund for Lyric email campaigns are executed in step with Lyric’s comprehensive communications plan.
  • Execute Lyric’s monthly renewal notice appeals in partnership with mail house vendor.
  • As part of the Donor Engagement team, carry out quarterly direct mail appeals with our mail house vendor, including data preparation, letter writing, and routing designs for approval; design quarterly social media appeals to accompany direct mail and email communications.
  • Oversee the Development department’s dress rehearsal and working rehearsal operations, including management of all related communication, staff involvement, and day-of coordination.
  • Steward Lyric’s Name a Seat program, ensuring that our database accurately reflects availability, and partner with vendors and Lyric staff to ensure plaques are installed promptly.
  • Pull and upload data for Lyric’s gift matching communications program, Double the Donation.
  • Partner with our external vendor in telefundraising efforts to acquire, retain, and grow our annual donor base.
  • Field donor inquiries as the primary email and phone contact for the Friends of Lyric donor society; work with Donor Records team to process phone and email gifts in a timely manner.
  • Execute routine stewardship communication efforts, including gratitude letters, greeting cards, daily phone calls, and donor impact reports.
  • Attend and assist with department events and donor experiences. This requires working outside of normal business hours. Advance notice is provided, when possible, for planning purposes.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:
  • Bachelor’s Degree in arts management, marketing, or related field.
  • More than one year or one completed internship with a nonprofit organization.
  • Customer service experience interfacing with donors or customers, building relationships, handling inquiries, and problem-solving.
  • Interest in authentic interactions with donors and teammates.
  • Self-starter with strong project management and organizational competencies with a demonstrated aptitude for multitasking, attention to detail, and meeting overlapping deadlines.
  • Ability to work independently and as a team member in a collaborative and fast-paced environment.
  • Experience with Tessitura (preferred) or an equivalent CMS platform.
  • Interest in building relationships and partnerships with external vendors.
  • Personal passion for opera, musical theater, or classical music that can be shared in communicating with donors.
  • A positive, “can do” approach to work.

WORK CONDITIONS:
  • Sitting and standing for extended periods.
  • Ability to operate a computer and handle other office equipment.
  • Ability to occasionally participate in evening and/or weekend duties outside regular business hours.

COMPENSATION:
Job Classification: Full-time, Non-Exempt
Salary is: $40,000-$45,000

Advocacy Coordinator, American Academy of Sleep Medicine - Darien, IL

 Job Summary 

The Advocacy department supports our mission by advocating on legislative and regulatory issues important to our members. Our team is growing! As the Advocacy Coordinator, you will assist the Manager in the implementation of advocacy strategies and plans through day-to-day communications, administrative advocacy activities, and advocacy program support. The ideal candidate is passionate about policymaking, possesses excellent written and verbal communication skills, and has strong organizational skills.  

Salary range: $60,000 - $65,000 commensurate with experience. 

Responsibilities and Duties 

  • Attain a deep understanding of our organizational policies, advocacy goals, and industry priorities in the legislative space to support department deliverables. 
  • Keep a pulse on legislative and regulatory changes that could shape the future of sleep medicine, sharing actionable insights with key stakeholders. 
  • Serve as the primary contact for member and external advocacy communications, supporting engagement and awareness. 
  • Maintain the member advocacy database  
  • Support impactful advocacy efforts by planning, coordinating, and attending visits to Capitol Hill, state legislatures, and in-district meetings with elected officials. 
  • Craft compelling content—whether it’s a persuasive letter, engaging social post, or detailed report—that informs and inspires diverse audiences. 
  • Empower our members to take action through education, resources, and tools for effective communication with policymakers. 
  • Drive collaboration as a staff liaison by supporting committees, organizing meetings, and preparing written materials (minutes, reports, etc). 
  • Keep advocacy at the forefront by monitoring media for breaking news and ensuring timely, relevant updates to members and stakeholders. 
  • Enjoy a mix of office-based work and travel (about 10%, including some weekends) as you help us bring our advocacy initiatives to life.

Qualifications and Skills 

  • Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, or a related field. 
  • 2+ years of experience in advocacy, government, public health, or consulting. 
  • Solid understanding of health policy and legislative processes at state and federal levels. 
  • Exceptional writing, presentation, and communication skills. 
  • Strong collaborator with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build relationships. 
  • Organized multitasker with proven project management experience. 
  • Tech-savvy with proficiency in Microsoft Office and database systems. 
  • Creative problem-solver with sound judgment and attention to detail. 
  • Self-starter with a proactive, motivated approach to challenges. 

Executive Office Manager - Chancellor's Office, CCC - Chicago, IL

 PRIMARY OBJECTIVE

Reporting to the Executive Director - Institutional Health and Continuous Improvement, the Executive Office Manager - Office of the Chancellor performs executive and administrative support duties of the highest level of responsibility, confidentiality, and sensitivity in support of the Chancellor and executive leadership including the Executive Vice Chancellor, Chief Institutional Advancement Officer and Chief of Staff. 

The Executive Office Manager facilitates the efficient operation of the Officer of the Chancellor, serving as a primary point of contact to internal and external constituencies seeking access to the Office, the Chancellor, and executive leadership; responsible for administrative matters related to calendar management; the scheduling of meetings, events and other commitments; status of information requests; and travel arrangements. Assists and supports the Chancellor and executive leadership on various projects as assigned. 

The Executive Office Manager demonstrates a strong professional demeanor, is a strong communicator able to establish effective working relationships, and is expected to utilize independent judgement, initiative, and discretion in the performance of duties in a manner that is consistent with the mission, strategic plan, and goals of City Colleges of Chicago.  Performs other duties as assigned. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Executive Support

  • Maintains the Chancellor and EVCs calendars, makes travel arrangements, and provides organizational support for daily activities, including routine approvals and tasks. 
  • Plans and organizes in-person and virtual l meetings and special events; utilizes various scheduling platforms to schedule and confirm meetings; prepares agendas and meeting documents; and organizes logistics to include meeting space, IT equipment and refreshments.   
  • Greets and screens visitors and all incoming calls for the Chancellor and EVC.  Provides information to individuals as appropriate. Responds to inquiries and requests for information.
  • Facilitates communication with key internal and external constituents on the Chancellors or EVC behalf as directed.
  • Maintains the Chancellors and EVCs contacts in Salesforce and supports regular contact management in the system.
  • Reviews, tracks, and monitors all correspondence requiring Chancellor and EVC approval or signature, ensuring timely review. 
  • Maintains expense reports, tracks travel expenses, and prepares quarterly reports or reports-on-demand for review. 
  • Drafts and prepares correspondence for internal and external constituents; copies and distributes documents; maintains spreadsheets and databases. 
  • Attends meetings as directed.  Serves on committees and as a liaison on projects as assigned. 
  • Handles privileged attorney/client and sensitive work-product communications, including accessing and conveying privileged communications to the Office of the General Counsel and Inspector General.
  • Researches, organizes, and analyzes information and materials and prepares related reports.
  • Maintains a broad knowledge of policies, procedures, regulations, and rules governing CCC, to ensure compliance.

 

Office Management

  • Manages the day-to-day operations of the office, coordinating work activities with other support staff, organizing the workflow, relieving the Chancellor and EVC of administrative detail, and providing an efficient and organized office environment. 
  • Implements processes and procedures to maintain efficient office management and administrative systems (e.g. filing systems and forms, timesheet management and approval, telephones, office space, and the ordering of office equipment and supplies).
  • Responds to inquiries received either in-person, by phone, or email. Exercises discretion and good judgment in responding and problem solving. Consults with appropriate staff as needed.
  • Supervises and trains office support staff and work study students. Provides direction and coaching as needed.
  • Supports and oversees room reservations at the District Office (180 N. Wabash).
  • Serves as liaison to security and facilities teams at District Office (180 N. Wabash).

 

Project Management

  • Manages the lifecycle of special projects, including developing and executing project plans, coordinating with project sponsors and internal stakeholders and acquiring resources and coordinating with third-party contractors as applicable. 
  • Manages data and prepares reports using Excel spreadsheets, SharePoint sites and other software including Salesforce and PeopleSoft. 
  • Provides support on multiple projects simultaneously and follows through on tasks in an efficient and timely manner.
  • Monitors and tracks budget allocations, the preparation of purchase orders, vendor relations, and the status of requisitions, contracts, and orders. Ensures expenditures are within the department's budget.   
  • Assists with pre- and post-employment activities for the Chancellors Office, including maintaining interview schedules, new employee onboarding, equipment and office space allotment and scheduling telephone and computer set-up. 
  • Adheres to CCC Customer Service Excellence standards.
  • Performs other duties as assigned.