Associate, Programs - Metropolitan Planning Council

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.

Special Advisor on Equity and Inclusion - Illinois Housing Development Authority

Who: Illinois Housing Development Authority

What: Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), one of the Nation’s preeminent Housing Finance Agencies and one of the State’s ten largest financial institutions, is currently seeking a Special Advisor on Equity and Inclusion to build upon their 50+ year leadership in housing finance.

The position has been created to focus on driving change and positive outcomes by applying a racial equity lens to the work of IHDA. The position requires a passion for diversity, equity, and inclusion, an understanding of both societal and housing and real estate industry best practices related to DEI, and the ability to communicate these issues to all levels of employees in the organization. A key first step will be to develop a Racial Equity Plan for IHDA in conjunction with the executive and leadership teams, staff, and the Board. The incumbent will act as a change agent in coaching managers and the leadership team to help them successfully develop and implement their part of the plan. HR will be a key partner. Interaction and collaboration with other state agencies to improve processes such as procurement are also expected.

Responsibilities:

• Develop written strategies for the purpose of developing IHDA’s diversity and inclusion goals in the areas including, but not limited to, procurement, grant making/resource allocation, public policy, training, hiring, and next generation of developers. 
• Lead IHDA’s efforts on DEI, partnering closely with staff and the Board,
• Develop new programs and practices that effectively help IHDA to reach its goals. Create metrics and processes to measure and monitor company diversity, inclusion, and equity. 
• Partner with key leaders across the organization and assist HR to drive accountability and transparency around targeted improvements in diverse representation. 
• Research and advise on diversity, inclusion, and equity issues; be a thought leader on all aspects of DEI bringing new and innovative ideas and best practices to IHDA. Help create and facilitate training programs around these values. 
• Provide support to various groups within IHDA; serve as a coach, guide, advisor, and mentor to committees and leadership teams.
  

Requirements:  

• Bachelor’s degree required. Relevant background might include, but is not limited to counseling, psychology, social work, human resources, business, liberal arts, or organizational development. Master’s degree preferred. Minimum of 5 years’ experience in diversity and inclusion programs required. Some understanding of affordable housing and government agency work preferred.
• Experience leading organizational-wide initiatives. Experience driving change defined by metrics. Strong presentation, coaching, and collaboration skills. Experience with designing, implementing measuring, and training on diversity programs and outcomes. Confidence in addressing and working with sensitive diversity issues. Experience with effectively relating to various levels of staff and establishing constructive internal and external relationships. Strong business acumen and communication skills to partner, consult, influence and build relationships.
  

Excellent benefits package, including 401 (k); immediate vesting.

Principal Policy Associate: Innovation for Inclusion - The Urban Institute (DC)

Who: At the nonprofit Urban Institute, we believe in the power of evidence to improve lives and strengthen communities. Our employees are empowered to open minds, shape decisions and offer solutions. We encourage intellectual honesty, innovation, diversity, and mutual respect, and our analysis elevates the debate, wherever it takes place.

Urban’s greatest asset is our people. We strive to attract and cultivate a vibrant, creative, and diverse community. Our employees drive Urban’s mission through entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership, effective communication, results-orientation, and relationship cultivation. Our success depends on engaging individuals who possess and value these attributes.

Within the Urban Institute, the Research to Action Lab (The Lab) is an innovation hub serving decision makers and creative thinkers eager to effect social change. We draw on the breadth and depth of Urban’s research insights to test new strategies and develop cutting-edge tools, programs, and trainings, as well as to provide strategic and philanthropic advice to public, nonprofit, and private sector leaders. The Lab is currently seeking a dynamic and highly motivated principal policy associate to serve in a leading role in an initiative that fills knowledge gaps on how a range of “smart” technologies affect historically excluded populations. The initiative will also identify and support best practices for incorporating equity into local technology policy and planning.

What: The Principal Policy Associate will serve as the managing director for an initiative to explore ways that the private sector and local leaders can harness technology and innovation to advance mobility, equity, and inclusion in cities. This expert will be responsible for leading research and policy projects that inform such efforts in the public and private sectors, managing relationships with funders and external partners, and conceptualizing and developing new bodies of work pertaining to technology, equity, and inclusion. The principal policy associate will work closely with the Urban Institute’s chief innovation officer and research and policy leaders from across Urban research centers, and our data and technology and communications teams. Responsibilities:

Race and Equity Coordinator - City of Edina, MN

Who: City of Edina, MN - Department of Administration

What: The Race and  Equity Coordinator is responsible for integrating race and equity principals into all operations, projects and services of the City of Edina.
Essential Functions:

• Create, lead and manage change to ensure race & equity principles are emphasized as part of Edina's culture and standard operating procedures. 
• Collaborates with other organizations including, cities, Government Alliance of Race & Equity, and other external groups to in advancing race & equity goals. 
• Serve as educational and expert liaison to the public, staff and elected and appointed officials. 
• Partners with staff throughout the organization to develop and provide community outreach in advancement of race and equity goals. 
• Participates on and often leads cross-departmental teams, work groups and committees established to achieve strategic objectives of the City. 

Other responsibilities include: 


Research Associate - Heartland Alliance

Who: Heartland Alliance - Research and Policy Division.
Heartland Alliance informs public policy decisions and advances solutions to improve opportunities and quality of life for people experiencing inequity, living in poverty, and facing danger.  Heartland Alliance’s Research & Policy Division engages in research on social issues and solutions, policy and systems change, and field building nationwide. The division is home to the Social IMPACT Research Center , Heartland Alliance’s Policy & Advocacy team Heartland Alliance’s National Initiatives on Economic Opportunity.

What: The Social IMPACT Research Center conducts applied research for Heartland Alliance, other nonprofits, foundations, advocacy groups, governments, coalitions, and the media to help them measure, inform, and grow their social impact. IMPACT also regularly reports on key poverty trends to equip decision makers with sound data to inform public policy.The Research Associate is responsible for assisting the implementation of program evaluations and research studies and related projects. Individual accountabilities and work volume will be established through the development of annual Success Objectives, within the framework outlined below.
Responsibilities include:

Chief Finance and Operations Officer - Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law (Chicago)

Who: The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law provides national leadership in advancing laws and policies that secure justice to improve the lives and opportunities of people living in poverty. The Sargent Shriver National Center on Poverty Law brings together lawyers, community leaders and allies from across the country as the nation’s leading advocate for people living in poverty.

What: The Shriver Center is seeking a Chief Finance & Operations Officer to serve in an expanded role as we move into our next chapter of excellence. The leader will oversee the operational and financial needs of the Shriver Center, as well as the planning and implementation of strategies and internal processes, including a comprehensive race equity action plan. This is a unique opportunity for an executive with strong strategic, operational, and financial leadership skills to deeply impact a leading anti-poverty advocacy institution that has experienced successful growth. Reporting to the President, this executive will serve as a key member of a strong senior leadership team and have overarching responsibilities as an innovator over our strategy, culture, operations, and financial management. The Chief Finance & Operations Officer will partner closely with the Vice Presidents of Advocacy, Advocate Resources and Training, Communications, and Development to ensure all areas of the Shriver Center are aligned for success. This position includes:

Climate Change Philanthropy Fellow, Environment Program – Kresge Foundation (Troy, MI)

Who: The Kresge Foundation works to expand opportunities in America's cities for people with low incomes. This work is done through grantmaking and social investing nationally in arts and culture, education, environment, health, human services and community development in Detroit.
Kresge’s Environment program works to help U.S. cities implement comprehensive climate-resilience approaches grounded in equity. The program helps communities address climate change directly so that they will be better prepared for the new challenges and uncertainties it introduces. By explicitly factoring climate change into decisions about infrastructure investments, land use, building codes, public health and other urban planning issues, urban leaders can make their communities stronger, more equitable and more resilient.

What: The Climate Change Philanthropy Fellow will support the Environment Program in advancing its goal of helping cities implement comprehensive climate-resilience approaches grounded in equity. The fellow will gain experience and insight into institutional philanthropy, climate change policy and advocacy, community development and strategies to incorporate equity firmly in climate change work. This position provides a valuable career development opportunity for an emerging climate change professional as well as added capacity to the Environment Program to fulfil its ambitious goal.
The fellowship is a two-year appointment and is open to those who have completed a minimum of master’s level training in a field related to urban climate resilience, such as environmental studies, public policy or urban planning. We are most interested in candidates whose education has included coursework on climate change mitigation and/or adaptation, urban systems and public policy, and who hold a deep commitment to both environmental work and racial equity. Primary responsibilities include:

Transportation Planner - San Francisco, CA

Assistant/Associate Transportation Planner/Analysts 

Metropolitan Transportation Commision

San Francisco, CA

2 positions

An Equal Opportunity Employer

SALARY: $37.67 - $55.60 Hourly
$78,358.18 - $115,643.63 Annually

OPENING DATE: 01/21/16

CLOSING DATE: 02/16/16 11:59 PM

DESCRIPTION:
Move Notice: MTC will be relocating to a new facility in San Francisco. The move to the Bay Area Metro Center located at 375 Beale Street, will be during the March 4th weekend.

Interview Dates: The Interviews will take place on February 25 and 26 or February 29 and March 1, 2016. To be considered for the position(s), those candidates selected must be available to interview on a date offered.

Currently MTC is recruiting for two (2) positions. Under supervision of the Principal for Policy and Programming Implementation and Senior Planner/Analyst, these positions are responsible for managing funding programs, working with transit operators and other stakeholders to develop and implement the programs; conducting financial analyses of transportation revenues and expenses; and producing and presenting progress reports and recommendations about the region's transportation program as necessary.

One Planner/Analyst - will serve as the manager of the Transit Capital Priorities program, which allocates federal transit and regional funds to transit operators, primarily to replace and rehabilitate transit capital assets and maintain the Bay Area's transit system in a state of good repair.

One Planner/Analyst - will manage the Transportation Equity Funding Program which includes the Lifeline Transportation Program and focuses on implementing funding programs and addressing policies to improve the mobility of senior, low-income and disabled populations.

Both positions will work closely with the project sponsors, which may include public transit operators and other public and private non-profit agencies, and with other MTC staff to manage these programs from beginning to end: identifying available funding; reviewing and understanding legislation and guidance documents; developing regional/program policies; issuing calls for projects and reviewing applications; developing annual programs; managing contracts, grants, or funding agreements; and monitoring project progress and expenditure of funds. Both positions may also serve as program manager for other related funding programs, or as the project manager for special studies and projects as needed.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
The program coordinator will have the following skills to be successful in this position:

• Communicate very effectively both orally and in writing.
• Represent the agency before professional and policy groups.
• Present results of analyses before MTC Committees and other public entities.
• Work effectively with a diverse group of staff and stakeholders as part of a team, as well as pay attention to detail and ensure accuracy in database files and funding documents.
• Conduct spreadsheet analyses.
• Design and maintain reports of project funding information.
• Accurately track and monitor project and program funding, and develop and maintain strong and positive working relationships with key staff at various agencies and related organizations.
• Creatively solve problems.
• Take personal initiative, and carry out assignments with a minimum of supervision.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education: Completion of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, in public finance, public policy, public administration, business, civil engineering, city planning, or a related discipline. A Master's degree is preferred (Applicants with a degree issued from an institution outside the United States must have their transcripts evaluated by an academic accrediting service and provide proof of equivalency attached to the application.).

Experience: Must have a minimum of two (2) or more years of current, progressive and verifiable professional experience in a field related to the position. Two years of graduate work in a discipline directly related to the position may be substituted for one-year of the required experience. Experience interacting with government agencies is a plus.

Preference will be given to candidates with additional professional work experience in one or both of the following areas:

• Complex public sector budgeting, financial analysis, and/or transportation asset management
• Interest in improving transportation and mobility of senior, low-income and disabled populations

Knowledge of: Principles and techniques of public transportation project funding; and knowledge of government transportation programs, projects and project development, and funding procedures. Proficiency in Excel spreadsheet software is required.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision and direction of a Senior Planner/Analyst and the Principal for Policy and Programming Implementation, the Planner/Analysts will serve as program managers for a variety of federal and state transportation programs.

Specific assignments and responsibilities include:

• Administer and continuously improve all aspects of the funding programs, developing guidelines, conducting calls for projects, managing contracts, monitoring project progress, tracking fund allocations and expenditures, identifying and resolving issues.
• Work with federal and state agencies to understand and serve as MTC liaison to the various transportation funding programs, such as the Federal Urbanized Area Formula, State of Good Repair, Bus & Bus Facilities, Surface Transportation Program, and Elderly and Disabled Transportation programs; and the California State Transit Assistance program. Identify connections and opportunities for synergies between the various programs.
• Assist as needed with other transit grant programs, covering areas such as transit expansion and maintenance. Work with staff and transit operators to understand the region's needs for maintaining and upgrading the transit infrastructure, and help plan for achieving a state of good repair.
• Develop MTC's Transit Capital Priorities and Lifeline Transportation Programs, including fund projections, project eligibility, and program guidelines. As part of a team, develop funding policies, monitor projects, ensure compliance with grant requirements, carry out program administration, and make recommendations to improve it.
• Sustain MTC involvement with project sponsors and stay current with project developments.
• Brief senior and executive staff on changes and issues that affect the programs.
• Prepare and present materials for Commission consideration including program development/project selection, periodic progress reports, and other special topics as needed.
• Follow agency standards for Commission materials, and work cooperatively with project sponsors and MTC staff to ensure that materials are timely, accurate, and professional.
• Serve as an expert resource to the agency and partners on the programs.
• Perform other activities as assigned to the Programming and Allocations Section.

All employees at MTC are classified as Disaster Service Workers.

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:
http://www.mtc.ca.gov

OUR OFFICE IS LOCATED AT:
101-8th Street
Oakland, CA 94607
510-817-5700
jobhotline@mtc.ca.gov

An Equal Opportunity Employer Job #502/515
ASSISTANT/ASSOCIATE TRANSPORTATION PLANNER/ANALYSTS
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