Metropolitan Planning Council

Research Assistant – Water Policy

About MPC

Dedicated to shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone, Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) believes that every neighborhood has promise. Every community should be heard. And every person can thrive. 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 candidates with a demonstrated commitment to creating a region that is:

• Equitable: For MPC, equity means that every individual and community in our region has the opportunities they need to thrive. Promoting equity means that we recognize the harm that discrimination and racism have caused and continue to pose to our lives and neighborhoods. That’s why we drive policies, investments and ideas that ensure all current and future residents can reach their full potential.
• Prosperous: For MPC, prosperity means that both metropolitan Chicago and all of its people are economically healthy and prepared for growth. MPC is focused on ensuring that everyone who lives and works in our region can provide for themselves and their families. We support commitments that bring resources, development, and fairly paid and quality jobs to all communities.
• Sustainable: For MPC, sustainability means that our region meets the natural, human, and financial needs of the present while improving conditions for future generations. MPC’s agenda supports ecological vitality, residents’ health, and economic stability for the long term, and ensures that as things change, our region adapts.
• Engaged and Responsible: For MPC, civic participation and effective government are cornerstones of our region’s viability. We drive policies that strengthen the participation and impact of residents in local and regional decisions. We also promote adaptive, collaborative, just, and transparent governance at all levels.

About the role:

Research Assistants play an important role at MPC, offering essential support for our projects by researching, writing, and learning about planning policy in the region. Research Assistants at MPC have exposure to a broad range of regional policy issues and the opportunity to connect with a variety of planning agencies, community groups, and officials. Compensation for research assistant positions is $18 per hour. MPC also provides a $35 transportation subsidy. We welcome students with federal work-study and those seeking course credit to apply.

MPC is looking for a Research Assistant (RA) to support MPC’s Water portfolio and will work closely with the project research team. The RA will report to the Director.

This is a part-time position up to 32 hours per week, which will run from June through November 2024 (specific dates to be determined based on the candidate's availability).

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct priority research to support MPC’s evolving water research agenda, including literature reviews and qualitative interviews on the following topics: long-term planning, governance, and affordability and revenue options.
• Support production of Primer for Mayors report—a national/local partnership designed to identify local barriers to accelerated lead service line replacement. In collaboration with project manager:

• Develop and execute outreach strategy to mayors and utility leaders
• Attend and support interviews with 3-6 mayors and utility leaders
• Prepare summary materials for national collaboration partners
• Summarize findings in a memo to be included in national report

• Support convening on lead service line replacement workforce. Assist in conducting interviews with convening participants through materials preparation, meeting scheduling, and summarizing findings.

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 Research Assistant 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 will be detail oriented and research minded.

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Education & Experience

• Demonstrated project management and time management skills in successful completion of projects.
• A bachelor's degree in environmental science, public policy, public administration, urban planning or other relevant fields is preferred. Completion of, or enrollment in, a postgraduate degree is highly desirable. Depth and length of experience with similar work may be substituted for formal or degree certification.
• Basic knowledge of water resources, water policy, and related regulatory frameworks.

• Previous experience in conducting qualitative interviews and literature reviews.

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

Working Environment

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.

EEOC/Diversity Statement:

MPC is an equal-opportunity employer. We stay true to our mission by celebrating the differences among us. We are committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our workplace and encourage applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, ages, and abilities to apply. We will not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or retaliation of any kind and we promote a climate of mutual respect for our employees.