Director of Water Resources
Agency: Metropolitan Planning Council
Location: Chicago, IL
Contact: Skyler Larrimore, manager@metroplanning.org. To apply send the following:
1) A letter detailing how your experience relates to the job being filled;
2) Your résumé;
3) A short writing sample (2-3 pages); and
4) Three professional references
No phone calls please.
Position Summary:
MPC is hiring a full-time Director of Water Resources to continue to build the organization’s environmental policy and programming. In the immediate term, the focus is on water supply and stormwater initiatives, with an eye toward growing the program to more expansively target climate resilience and other pressing environment challenges. The ideal candidate will have the ability to manage the existing work plan while envisioning and building toward greater impact.
MPC is seeking a highly motivated individual with a background in public policy, advocacy, law, urban planning, engineering, sustainable development, and/or environmental management. Strong relationship and project management skills are crucial – experience facilitating large, multi-partner initiatives is a major plus. At the outset, this Director will spearhead multiple legislative efforts targeting lead pipe replacement, strengthening the Illinois State Water Plan process, and securing funding for an objective analysis of the drivers of water rate increases. The Director will also guide policy changes in water resources management and broader environmental policy at the City, county and suburban level. Thus, experience in policy development and advocacy, coalition management, and campaigns is highly desired.
The Director will also supervise multiple staff and consultants engaged in local technical assistance, facilitation of the long-standing Calumet Stormwater Collaborative, research into stormwater management financing, and the establishment of an innovative stormwater credit program in suburban Cook County. Supervisory and mentorship experience, as well as strong project management skills, are a must.
MPC’s water resources management work does not stand alone. It is imperative that this work be integrated seamlessly with other organizational priorities and rooted in our organizational values (see below). It is expected that the Director will develop opportunities for integration of work across program areas, so versatility, inquisitiveness and creativity are essential to success.
The position will report directly to MPC’s Vice President Josh Ellis and will work closely with others on staff in multi-disciplinary project teams.
Major Duties:
- Supporting or managing MPC’s legislative efforts regarding lead pipe replacement, enhancement of the State Water Plan, and more;
- Working directly with units of government, community organizations and a range of other stakeholders on local technical assistance projects;
- Building resources to sustain and grow the program through multiple forms of fundraising;
- Communicating MPC’s work through a variety of platforms and to a range of audiences, including elected officials and the media;
- Translating lessons from MPC’s efforts into administrative or legislative policy reform recommendations, to be communicated through original reports, policy briefings, and dialogue with elected officials;
- Researching best practices in water resources management for technical white papers and policy briefs, while also writing original content for a lay audience through newsletters, blog posts, and social media feeds;
- Supervising and mentoring multiple staff and consultants, and guiding the projects those individuals in turn manage;
- Coordinating public roundtable events and workshops to further MPC’s policy initiatives;
- Participating actively on MPC’s Management Team; and
- Other duties will depend on the background and expertise of the individual hired.
See full announcement here.