This position involves the application of professional planning knowledge and skills to enhance the quality of life and improve the welfare of the community by creating a more convenient, equitable, efficient, and attractive urban environment. Under general direction from the Urban Services Manager and Department Director this position will perform complex professional level duties related to current and advance planning activities; work with City departments, external agencies, the business community, neighborhood associations and other local stakeholders and the general public to develop plans, policies, procedures, and regulations related to community planning, and transportation planning; assist with the implementation of the City’s Comprehensive Plan and with the creation and implementation of other community plans; and serve as the Study Director for the Danville Area Transportation Study program which involves engaging governmental and nongovernmental agencies within the Metropolitan Planning Area to facilitate a coordinated transportation planning effort.

Requirements: Candidate must possess a four (4) year degree in urban and regional planning, transportation planning or a related field and have at least three years of progressive practical experience in this field or in a closely related field and have experience working in or with local or state government, experience working in a team environment and experience working with committees.

Salary Range: 45,000-$55,000

A full job description and application can be retrieved from www.cityofdanville.org/employment.html

Submit cover letter, resume and application to:
City of Danville Human Resources
17 West Main Street
Danville, IL 61832
Email: bwestphal@cityofdanville.org

Submissions due by June 10, 2013.

The Planning Liaison is responsible for regional transportation planning and programming activities related to highway, transit and bicycle/pedestrian facilities and projects. Responsibilities also include coordination with and assistance to the Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) in obtaining and administering federal and state transportation funds; technical support to the Kane/Kendall Council of Mayors (KKCOM) through research, report preparation and agency coordination efforts; and implementation of the Kane County 2040 Transportation Plan and regional transportation projects, studies and programs. Acts as the Kane County Bicycle & Pedestrian Planner and is responsible for updating the County Bicycle & Pedestrian Plan.

The Liaison serves as a communication link between the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) and local governments and participates in the CMAP committee structure.

Requirements: Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Public Administration, Civil Engineering, or related field. Candidate should possess excellent writing and public presentation skills, map interpretation, analytical and computer skills. Desired qualifications: Two to five years of experience in a related field.

$35,000-$45,000 annually
40HRS/Week

Submit cover letter, resume and references to:
Kane County Department of Human Resource Management
719 S. Batavia Avenue
Geneva, IL 60134
Email: hrmcorrespondence@co.kane.il.us

Download employment application at www.countyofkane.org 

Application deadline: 6/21/2013

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (Available August 2013)
McLean County Regional Planning Commission (MCRPC)
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois MPO
Salary Range: $80,000 - $111,000 DOQ

Overview. The position serves as chief executive officer for a regional planning commission serving a nearly 1,200 square mile region in central Illinois with a population of 170,000. Position also involves directing the operations of the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for the Bloomington-Normal urbanized area, which has been the fastest growing metropolitan region in downstate Illinois since 1970. The impending vacancy is due to the retirement of the current executive director who has served in that capacity for the past 19 years.

The Region. Situated in the nation’s heartland about two hours from Chicago, St. Louis, Indianapolis and the Quad Cities, Bloomington-Normal and McLean County consistently rank among the nation’s leaders in quality of life. The region exhibits a diversified local economy with a number of corporate headquarters and universities, a strong agribusiness industry, typically low to very low unemployment, excellent schools at all levels, extensive parks and trails, and outstanding cultural, entertainment, shopping and business opportunities. Bloomington-Normal was recently ranked second nationally by Beyond.com on a list of top ten places to find jobs.

The Agency/Mission. MCRPC is uniquely focused on providing long-range planning and technical support services aimed at enhancing the quality of life in this dynamic region. This focus involves establishing a balanced vision through extensive use of public discussion to foster a healthy business environment, support community and economic development, enhance local amenities, preserve historical and agricultural heritage, and promote implementation as appropriate of innovative techniques in planning and design. MCRPC’s eleven-member citizen board represents the region’s principal governing bodies and addresses long-term planning and development issues and innovations, while also serving as a neutral forum for discussion and coordination of regional issues.

Responsibilities. Position has oversight responsibility for overall agency and MPO operations requiring significant administrative and technical planning participation. The Executive Director coordinates the community planning, transportation planning, GIS and administrative divisions, which include eight full-time professional staff. Allocation of time between administrative and technical planning tasks varies considerably among program years, but 40% administrative and 60% technical planning represents a reasonable average.

Duties/Tasks. The following are examples of duties and tasks that can be expected to be performed by the Executive Director at various times over an extended period.

* Coordinate and integrate region-wide visioning efforts with long-range planning programs.

* Serve as project manager as required for comprehensive plans and other technical planning studies from project inception through completion. This may include defining project scopes, preparing project budgets, presenting proposals, serving as principal client contact, conducting and supervising research, serving as primary author, and managing project budgets and schedules.

* Provide direct technical assistance in the development of long-range plans for land use, transportation and community facilities for individual communities and the region.

* Oversee periodic updates to the Urban Area Long-Range Transportation Plan and Transportation Improvement Program.

* Oversee an award winning greenways planning program for the region.

* Coordinate development reviews with urban area units of government. This requires interacting with local and regional staff in evaluating and reporting on proposed development projects that have likely regional impacts.

* Serve as news director and editor for an award winning newsletter to report on progress and innovations for addressing urban and regional planning issues.

* Develop annual work programs and budgets involving projections of revenue, expenditures, funding and human resource requirements.

* Coordinate and oversee the development and administration of an award-winning regional geographic information system (GIS).

* Provide technical assistance to local planning, engineering, GIS, and community development departments as needed and as workloads permit.

* Serve as chair or key participant on various technical and policy committees that address planning related issues, including transportation planning, development management, ordinance update and standardization, greenways, solid waste management, storm water management and GIS.

* Design and coordinate special purpose transportation and community planning studies as needed. This may entail developing study designs, organizing public participation, providing technical input, and monitoring results.

Qualifications. General qualifications include a demonstrated ability to work well with staff, community leaders, and the public to achieve consensus for addressing local and regional issues and achieving optimal solutions that embody best practices and innovations. Minimum qualifications include five years of progressively responsible experience with a planning agency(s) or firm(s) that has emphasized innovative, long-range solutions for land use and transportation development, with at least two years of experience in a supervisory capacity. A Master’s Degree in planning or closely related field is highly desirable. The ideal candidate would have a successful track record in fostering public discussions to balance concerns for community and economic development with those for historic, neighborhood, farmland and environmental preservation. MPO experience and AICP certification are desirable.

Requirements. Candidates should apply at once with résumé, cover letter, and contact information for five professional references to Office of the County Administrator, Government Center RM 401, 115 E. Washington St. Bloomington, IL 61701 Closing: May 31, 2013 4:30 PM

Miscellaneous Information. McLean County and the McLean County Regional Planning Commission are Equal Opportunity Employers. The selection of an individual for this position is at the sole discretion of the McLean County Regional Planning Commission.

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), located in downtown Chicago, is currently accepting applications to fill the position of Division Manager, Strategic Planning and Policy.

Under the direction of the Senior Deputy Executive Director, Planning and Market Development, responsible for directing and coordinating overall operations of the Strategic Planning and Policy Division. The incumbent develops and directs comprehensive transit and multi-modal research and studies, assess transit market opportunities and monitors similar efforts of other regional planning bodies and entities. Utilizes department and divisional resources including a five member staff to support complex regional and sub-regional investigations, and is responsible for directing the operations of the division to ensure conformance with the RTA’s strategic goals and objectives. Participates in the development of divisional objectives, policies and procedures and monitors division performance and results to ensure compliance.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
1. Develops and directs the completion of complex, transportation planning and research projects, which lead to the development of short- or long-range plans, priorities and standards.
2. Directs regional and sub-regional level investigations of travel markets, transit mode choice, service levels, and travel demand analyses. Formulates interpretations of analysis and study results and provides related action recommendations to senior management.
3. Implements and updates the Strategic Plan.
4. Directs the development and implementation of new planning tools and models including RTAMs, geographic information systems, and cost estimating models.
5. Supports and advises on regional transit market development opportunities and strategies to address.
6. Assist with defining marketing strategies to support transit markets.
7. Represents the Authority and the Service Boards in the development and adoption of the region’s multi-modal long-range transportation plan.
8. Coordinates and participates in planning and research activities with Service Boards, other planning agencies, and universities. Supports RTA liaison activities involving local and regional governments, planning bodies, councils and regarding regional transportation planning issues, projects, and research.
9. Directs/oversees Corridor Planning initiatives.
10. Oversees the compilation of a complete, accurate and coordinated Work Plan for integration with the division’s and department’s Annual Work Plan.
11. Delivers presentations to the RTA Board of Directors, management and staff; counterparts at the Service Boards, local and regional governments and planning bodies and other public transportation related entities. Develops presentation materials and ordinances for the RTA Board regarding project information, study findings and recommendations as directed.

The ideal candidate will have Knowledge, skills and mental development equivalent to the completion of a Bachelors Degree in Engineering, Economics, Urban Planning, Public Administration, or a related field, or additional equivalent work experience. Advanced degree preferred.

A minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible transit or transportation planning experience in a public or private planning or research concern including extensive study development and analysis experience in a project team environment. Increasing supervisory and management responsibilities. Demonstrated knowledge and experience with metropolitan transportation planning environments. Ability to manage complex transit planning studies. Familiarity with transportation modeling and forecasting methods and tools essential. Advance degree may be substituted for experience.

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills are necessary. Ability to prioritize multiple tasks and projects while maintaining deadlines under pressure and managing resources. Strong people skills including, supervising, coaching, mentoring, performance management, and developing teams. Excellent computer skills especially in Microsoft Office suite keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to the job.
.
The RTA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Relocation is not available. For more information about the RTA, visit our website at www.rtachicago.com. Please submit a cover letter, resume and salary history to:

Minimum salary: $95,000

Regional Transportation Authority
Human Resources, Attn: 13-DMSPP
175 W. Jackson, Suite 1550
Chicago, IL 60604

To apply online, go to: https://www.rtachicago.com/jobposting/?job=126


An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer

The Village of Tinley Park has a full-time position available for a Planner I. This position is responsible for research, analysis, graphics, and other technical assistance on a wide range of planning projects. Planner I provides design recommendations and graphical explanations for planning issues, conducts landscape audits, and reviews variation cases. Planner I is part of a team developing master plans and small area plans, as well as reviewing site plans for compliance with Village plans and ordinances. The ideal candidate possesses knowledge of the principles and practices of urban planning with an emphasis on urban design and land use regulation. Must be a skilled urban design professional; must be able to communicate effectively in writing and in public speaking; must be able to maintain positive working relationships; must also be able to attend evening meetings and work extended hours as required.

Must have B.A. Urban Design, Landscape Arch., Planning or related field + 1 yr. exp. in government or consulting. Must have GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Sketch-Up, MSWord apps. Residency requirement: Must reside in the VOTP w/n 1yr of hire date. Start: $46,592.65 + benefits. Visit www.tinleypark.org for application, include with cover letter, resume by 5/24/13. Mail to H.R. Dept, VOTP, 16250 So. Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, IL 60477. Email: humanresources@tinleypark.org
EOE

The Village of Arlington Heights, Illinois, is one of the largest Chicago suburbs with a population of 75,100. The Village is seeking a well-qualified professional who preferably possesses a Master’s Degree in Business, Economics, Marketing, Urban Planning, Real Estate or a related field, as well as a minimum of 3-5 years experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. This position reports to the Director of Planning and Community Development and has occasional interaction with the Village Manager. The employee in this position will be responsible for coordinating many challenging economic development programs. Responsibilities also include attending tradeshows, acting as a liaison to the business community and energetically implementing business attraction and retention efforts. Meets with businesses, real estate professionals and members of the public on a consistent basis. Knowledge of business plans, financial projections and economic financing tools/programs required. Applicants should possess excellent computer skills, writing skills and presentation skills.

Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit an online application available on the Village’s website at www.vah.com. Please include a cover letter and resume with salary history. Complete applications including cover letter, resume and salary history will also be accepted via mail: Human Resources, Village of Arlington Heights, 33 S. Arlington Heights Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005; or email to jobs@vah.com. The fax number is 847-368-5990. This position is open until filled. Internet access is available at all local libraries. For more information concerning the Village of Arlington Heights, please visit our website at www.vah.com.

Salary DOQ.

Equal Opportunity Employer
Any offer of employment will be conditional upon completion of a pre-employment drug screen
Position Open Until Filled.
 

Evanston, IL (75,000) Dynamic and historic lakefront community immediately north of Chicago seeks experienced, proven, progressive candidates to lead its Community and Economic Development Department comprised of 30 FTEs and responsible for a budget of $2.7 million. Department includes Building and Inspection Services Division, Economic Development Division, and Planning and Zoning Division. Evanston is home to Northwestern University and is an ethnically, racially and economically diverse community. The City enjoys a diversified tax base, a vibrant downtown, strong neighborhoods, thriving commercial districts, and beautiful tree lined streets. Position is appointed by the City Manager. The most recent Director left for a City Administrator position. Qualified individuals will be expected to have a strong background in management and leadership, urban planning and development, and community and economic development best practices.

Candidates must have ten years increasingly responsible experience in an upper management position in a community of comparable size and complexity. Position requires bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, business administration or related field. Master’s Degree preferred. Excellent interpersonal/communication/presentation skills essential. Additional information regarding the position can be found at the Consultant's website: www.voorheesassociates.com. Starting salary $140,000+/-, depending on qualifications and experience. Residency not required. Apply by May 24, 2013 in confidence, to the City’s Executive Search Consultant: www.VoorheesAssociates.com/current-positions. ATTN: Heidi Voorhees, President, 500 Lake Cook Road, Suite 350, Deerfield, IL 60015. Electronic submission preferred. TEL: 847/580-4246.
 

This position is located offsite at the Village of Oak Forest, IL. Responsibilities include processing and conducting land use evaluation of zoning petitions for special use permits, amp and text amendments, and variation. Other tasks include:

Responsible for processing and conducting review of petitions for subdivisions for compliance with the City’s subdivision ordinance, as well as related land use analysis.

Coordinates interdepartmental review process of zoning and subdivision petitions and ensure proper and coordinated communications.

Prepare staff recommendations pertaining to the review of zoning and subdivision petitions.

Serves as staff liaison to the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Assist homeowners, developers and builders with technical requests, zoning interpretations and other required assistance.

Undertake research and zoning studies and makes appropriate recommendations for zoning amendments and procedural changes.

Perform special projects for the Community Development Director.

Perform other duties as may be assigned.

We provide a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including: 2 medical plans; dental; vision insurance; FSA and HSA; company sponsored life insurance, and short term and long term disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; and fifteen days of paid time off accruals.

Agency phone calls will not be accepted.

Manhard is an EEO/AAP (M/F/V/H) e-Verify Employer

Visit our webpage at www.manhard.com.

The Village of Lisle, IL (22,390) a dynamic community that includes a vibrant corporate corridor, an award-winning revitalized downtown, world class amenities and high quality of life, seeks candidates for the position of Senior Planner in the Community & Economic Development Department.

Recent reorganization of several Village departments has resulted in certain economic development tasks and responsibilities being incorporated into a new Community & Economic Development Department. The responsibilities of the Senior Planner include coordinating the Village’s development review process; conducting plan reviews; providing land use and zoning information to the public; coordinating comprehensive planning and economic development efforts; preparing reports and graphics for Planning and Zoning Commission meetings and making presentations; and overseeing various other projects related to land use, zoning and economic development. This position reports to the Community and Economic Development Director. Candidates must have excellent verbal and written communication skills and also demonstrate the ability to positively interact with staff, elected and appointed officials as well as the development community and general public.

Qualifications (Education & Experience): The successful candidate will be expected to have a strong background in urban and/or regional planning and a minimum of three years of related experience in a municipal, local public agency or private sector setting or equivalent combination of education, training and experience. Candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public policy, economic development or related field. A master’s degree in urban planning or related field a plus. Proficiency in ArcView/GIS is preferred.

Salary: DOQ. Starting salary range is $67,800 +/- with excellent benefits.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Must be able to attend monthly evening Planning & Zoning Commission meetings)

Selection Process: Post-offer candidates should be prepared take a physical evaluation, including drug and alcohol screening and undergo a thorough background investigation. Qualified candidates are encouraged to apply by Tuesday, April 16, 2013 with cover letter, resume and three professional references to Eric Ertmoed, Administrative Services Director at hr@villageoflisle.org. Please reference Senior Planner in the subject line of your email.

The Village of Lisle is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Do you have a unique specialty in the field of environmental design? Do you currently live in a town or city that has not/or is currently not being covered by another blogger? Have you successfully managed social media platforms? Do you have a passion for writing and want to learn how to successfully blog? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Global Site Plans wants your application.

Global Site Plans is seeking talented students and professionals in the fields of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering, urban planning, and specialties within these environmental design fields. As a bi-weekly blogger, you would speak to topics related to your fields of expertise, but specific to your location. For example, you live in Granite Bay, California. You would then become the correspondent for environmental design topics at this location. Global Site Plans’ The Grid wants to stay local, yet reach globally.

Read below for application details:

We are seeking contributing blogger interns who can make a minimum commitment of 6-months, contractually. As a contributing blogger you will be able to build your personal brand on the Internet, be looked upon as an expert in the field you cover, and be recognized widely over different mediums. Your blogs will be distributed through http://www.globalsiteplans.com/the-grid (The Grid is Global Site Plans’ blog), Twitter,Facebook, and LinkedIn. This is a great way to gain visibility as you enter the public and private workforce, or to further develop yourself professionally.

Qualifications:

- 6-month or 1-year commitment, contractually;
- 2 blogs per month, biweekly (12 blogs in total for 6-months/ 24 blogs in total for 1-year);
- 250-350 word maximum, submitted in Word format for review and editing;
- Excellent English and writing skills;
- Passion for the topics you write about;
- Ability to work under deadlines and meet them – very important that dates set for blog submission are honored.

Global Site Plans will work with each blogger to ensure that the topics covered are those of high interest to both the writer and the reader. The audience reading these blogs will be individuals just like you and me – environmental designers, so you’ll need to be able to write for the audience to keep them engaged and commenting on your blogs. Your blogs should be informative, but also pose questions to encourage dialogue.

Internship Outcomes:

- Increased knowledge and exposure to blogging career opportunities;
- Ability to utilize WordPress blogging software – increased knowledge of functionality and features;
- Increased comfort writing within word count constraints;
- Obtain editorial feedback to improve your writing skills;
- Branding yourself on the Internet and creating exposure for job opportunities;
- Performance based upon word count accuracy, number of revisions required of each blog and improvements over time, meeting deadlines, and utilizing keywords, formatting, and hyperlinking according to training.

How to Apply:

If you are interested, please email the application components to Global Site Plans at hireme@globalsiteplans.com by Friday, May 24, 2013.

1. Submit a Resume and Cover Letter;
2. Submit a writing sample regarding an environmental design topic;
3. Submit 12 blog titles/topic ideas that you are interested in blogging about (Topic ideas should be related to where you are currently live so this may take a bit of research on your part. If you live in Oakland, California, all of your blog title suggestions should be about that city. See previous blogs for ideas.);
4. Like Global Site Plans on Facebook;
5. Follow Global Site Plans on Twitter;
6. In the subject line of your email, put BLOGGING INTERNSHIP.

This is an unpaid and a virtual internship which can be completed from home.

Applications are accepted within the following specialties: architecture/ community/economic development/ energy/ engineering/ environment/ government and politics/ history and preservation/ housing/ infrastructure/ land use/ landscape architecture/ social and demographics/ transportation/ urban development and real estate/ sustainability/ urban planning and design.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Have you ever wanted to manage a blog? Learn how to manage writers? Do you have excellent English writing, editing, and time management skills? Can you manage an intern staff of 10 bloggers and make a 1-year commitment? If you have what it takes, Global Site Plans wants your application.

The Grid Blog Assistant Editor will be responsible for managing individual blog submissions and scheduling; editing draft blogs for content, grammar, spelling, punctuation, style, and formatting; and WordPress formatting and scheduling. Blog writers, whom you will supervise, submit two blogs monthly and the editor will ensure that bloggers meet weekly deadlines, requiring constant email communication with the blogging team. You will also support the learning of the blog writers by assisting them in improving their writing skills through constructive, positive, feedback. Global Site Plans will provide comprehensive training and guidance throughout The Grid Blog Assistant Editor internship.

To learn more about the blogging internship positions, visit the environmental design blogger and social media and design blogger internships descriptions.

Qualifications:

- 1-year commitment, contractually, for approximately 10 hours per week;
- Excellent English writing and editing skills;
- Uninterrupted Internet and computer access, must check email daily;
- Ability to manage 10 blogging interns, with a natural desire to teach;
- Independent self-starter;
- Superior time management skills;
- Problem solver and creative thinker;
- Great communication and people skills, a natural motivator;
- Multicultural understanding and awareness;
- Previous experience as a writer for a blog is a plus.

Internship Outcomes:

- Increased knowledge and exposure to blog manager and editing career opportunities;
- Ability to utilize WordPress blogging software – increased knowledge of functionality and features;
- Experience editing blogs according to online formatting instructions;
- Discover the purposes behind formatting blogs and their marketing advantages;
- Learn how to support interns throughout an internship (6-months or 1-year) life-cycle;
- Increased knowledge of how to successfully provide constructive feedback to intern staff regarding writing, style, and formatting issues;
- Learn how to develop, motivate, and strengthen teams;
- Performance based upon blog intern retention and performance indicators, punctuality and the consistency of blog scheduling and publishing, thoroughness of the editorial calendar, and end-of internship surveys.

How to Apply:

If you are interested, please complete and email the application components to Global Site Plans at hireme@globalsiteplans.com by Friday, May 24, 2013.

1. Submit a Resume and Cover Letter;
2. Download the writing sample from http://www.globalsiteplans.com/environmental-design/seeking-spring-2013-internship-applications-assistant-editor/. Edit the sample, utilizing tracked changes, for spelling, grammar, punctuation, style, and content. Provide comments as needed within the document;
3. Like Global Site Plans on Facebook;
4. Follow Global Site Plans on Twitter;
5. In the subject line of your email, put THE GRID BLOG ASSISTANT EDITOR.

This is an unpaid and a virtual internship which can be completed from home. While we cannot guarantee opportunities for paid employment in the future, interns will always gain first preference in our hiring processes.