Air Quality Analyst / Senior Analyst

Job Description

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is seeking to hire one or two full-time employees. CMAP may fill these positions as either associate analyst, analyst or senior analyst depending on candidate qualifications. We are interested in applicants with transportation planning, transportation and environmental policy, and emissions modeling backgrounds. We are particularly interested in applicants with experience in leading and developing multi-faceted plans as well as those who have led or supported activities related to transportation conformity analyses.

Successful candidates would lead or support one or two main areas of work:

• Emissions modeling and analysis; and/or
• Manage a regional planning process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Work related to emissions modeling and analysis would consist of leading and supporting activities related to fulfilling transportation conformity requirements, Greenhouse Gas (GHG) performance target setting and monitoring and helping to develop and analyze policies in support of the region’s goal of net zero emissions, particularly from the transportation sector. Candidate would also help support day-to-day Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) operations.

Some of the primary responsibilities with this position will involve generating emission estimates in support of Transportation conformity amendments associated with the TIP and various activities associated with TIP planning and programming tasks. Conformity activities are conducted at least twice a year for Ozone and PM 2.5, specifically performing emissions modeling using the U.S. EPA’s MOVES model, updating, and maintaining various data sets used as inputs used in transportation emissions modeling. The candidate should have an understanding of transportation planning and conformity from a federal, state, and local prospective and would be expected to work with federal and state planning and environmental staff on transportation issues in the region.

The candidate should be knowledgeable about the impact that transportation can have on air quality in general, and in this region, and more specifically how they are relevant to the region’s long-range transportation plan, ON TO 2050 and other programs that CMAP is responsible for administering. The candidate will also be expected to produce analyses and develop recommendations on air quality issues for the region. The ability to assist CMAP’s travel demand modeling group with emissions modeling information and data that can be used for transportation conformity information is required. The ability to document, explain and analyze issues involving transportation conformity and air-quality will be paramount in succeeding in this position.

Work related to managing a regional planning process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions includes overseeing staff, consultants, and partners in the development of a complex, multi-faceted planning process. This includes managing stakeholder engagement, overseeing a scenario planning process to identify effective strategies, and working to develop policy recommendations that advance the region’s ability to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions goals by 2050. Stakeholder engagement would include working with implementing agencies as well as community-based organizations to integrate an equity framework into the planning process. The scenario planning process could include coordination with external partners to explore and test how different combinations of scenarios could lead to greenhouse gas reduction goals. The plan will set reduction targets and outline high level policy actions needed to achieve those goals. The regional planning process is anticipated to take two years, at which point the position would then focus on implementation of key policy recommendations. This could include advancing work on electrification, pricing strategies, mode shift, travel demand management, and/or land use, among others.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Manages or supports multiple staff-led and/or consultant-led projects from inception to completion.
• Establishes or assist in establishing objectives and timelines to ensure effective completion of projects. Supports colleagues and others to further the implementation of CMAP’s regional plan.

• Assists project managers and participates on project teams that requires conducting analyses, investigations, preparing recommendations, reports, and data visualizations.
• Designs or contributes to empirical research processes, data collection, data quality assurance, and data contextualization through analysis, data visualization, and written plan content to policy analysis and development projects and assists in other project related tasks.
• Leads or supports outreach for projects, including strategy development, meeting attendance and planning.
• Guides or assists projects through preparation for external consideration with Government Affairs and Communications and contributes effectively to various efforts to promote policies and projects to broader audiences.
• Leads or supports research, analysis, and content to reports for CMAP's regional plan development and policy analysis of relevant legislation or administrative initiatives.
• Builds and maintains positive relations with external partners, stakeholders, and communities. Serves on committees, task forces, and other bodies where CMAP representation is needed.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Occasional overnight travel for conferences.

• Attends internal department meetings as well as external committee meetings, outreach events, and workshops as assigned.
• Supports colleagues and contributes to the professional development of others in order to further advance CMAP’s mission.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED (an equivalent amount of training, education and experience will be considered)

• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in urban public policy, public administration, planning, economics, statistics, or related field. Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of five years of professional experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES including competencies that may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.

• Thorough knowledge of public policy, urban and/or regional planning practice, and an understanding of environmental, social, land use, and transportation considerations in planning.
• Skill in general principles of research, data collection and analysis, and technical writing and data visualization.
• Skill in utilizing spreadsheets, and skills or familiarity with statistical analysis.
• Ability to compile and communicate information effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to analyze and systematically compile technical information and to prepare technical reports.
• Ability to document research and work collection and processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associates, community or civic leaders, public sector officials and staff, partner agencies and organizations, and the general public.

• Excellent writing and communication skills; effectively communicates technical information to external and internal audiences orally, in writing, and in presentation form.

WORK ENVIRONMENT (environmental and atmospheric conditions commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job.)

• Office environment.

EQUIPMENT USED TO PERFORM THE JOB (may be representative but not all inclusive of those commonly associated with this position.)

• Standard office equipment.
• Specific computer software (MS Office etc., GIS, data analysis tools such as R)

PHYSICAL ABILITIES that are commonly associated with the performance of the functions of this job, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Consistently requires high levels of sustained concentration.

Salary:

• Senior Analyst: $72,469 - $112,327
• Analyst: $65,589 – 95,104

Company Description

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) is our region’s comprehensive planning organization. The agency and its partners are implementing ON TO 2050, a long-range plan to help the seven counties and 284 communities of northeastern Illinois implement strategies that address transportation, housing, economic development, open space, the environment, and other quality-of-life issues. See cmap.illinois.gov/about for more information on the agency’s vision and core values.

CMAP is always looking for talented, self-motivated individuals to join our team. If you think you are ready to be a part of an exciting team, then we encourage you to continue with this applicant friendly, online job application! This position will remain open until filled.