<p>OVERVIEW</p> <p>Cook County Department of Transportation and Highways is seeking an experienced Associate Director, Transportation Planning and Policy, responsible for supporting the bureau/department in developing and implementing high-level planning and policy initiatives related to multimodal transportation investments, including freight, transit, and bicycling infrastructure. The role assists in managing special initiatives with external partners, preparing transportation plans, and producing communication materials that align with departmental goals. Additional responsibilities include contributing to policy and procedure development, representing the bureau/department in internal and external agency matters, and supporting transportation and development initiatives at local, state, and federal levels. The position also supervises staff and consultants, monitors work progress, provides guidance, and reviews and approves final project deliverables.</p> <p>Cook County offers great benefits and the chance to participate in a strong tradition of public service. Cook County is home to more than five million residents, roughly 45% of Illinois' population. Cook County Government provides a range of vital services and programs that enhance the quality of life for residents across the region. These services range from health care to urban planning. Cook County is committed to empowering its employees to bring our constituents the best that public service has to offer.</p> <p>Attention Applicants: Please note that as part of ongoing job architecture initiatives, the County is reviewing job titles and corresponding grades, which may be subject to change.</p> <p>WHY PURSUE A CAREER WITH COOK COUNTY?</p> <p>In addition to providing employees with a challenging, rewarding environment for career and personal growth, we are proud to also offer some of the best benefits in the public sphere, including:</p> <ul> <li>Top Tier Medical Benefits: Medical Plans, Prescription Drug Benefit, Dental Plans, Vision Plan and 9 Additional voluntary benefit plans </li><li>Flexible Teleworking Options </li><li>Generous, Flexible Paid Time Off (13 paid designated holidays; Minimum of 15 vacation days annually; and Paid sick leave) </li><li>Pension Plan </li><li>Financial Support Programs and Resources: Life Insurance, Flexible Spending Accounts - Dependent Day Care, Commuter Benefits, Discounted Parking, PSLF Eligibility, Deferred Compensation and Education Tuition Stipend </li><li>Health/Wellness Perks: Flexible Spending Accounts-Health Care, Employee Assistance Program and MyHealth Connections wellness program. </li></ul> <p>SALARY RANGE: $144,090 - $176,110 / YEARLY</p> <p>SNAPSHOT OF COOK COUNTY</p> <ul> <li> <p>Serves 5.28 million residents of Chicago and its inner suburbs</p> </li><li> <p>2nd largest county in America</p> </li><li> <p>Larger than 27 states</p> </li><li> <p>Cook County employs over 22,000 employees who work in a variety of skilled jobs and trades.</p> </li><li> <p>Nearly 80% unionized workforce</p> </li><li> <p>15 unions represented</p> </li><li> <p>63 separate collective bargaining agreements</p> </li><li> <p>Highway - Cook County maintains almost 600 miles of roads and highways.</p> </li><li> <p>Land - Cook County assesses the value of more than 1.5 million parcels of taxable land and collects and distributes tax funds as a service for local government taxing bodies.</p> </li><li> <p>Safety - Cook County provides vital services to local government, from conducting elections in suburban areas to offering 911 services in unincorporated areas and municipalities.</p> </li></ul> <p>LOCATION</p> <p>Located in the Loop District of downtown Chicago, one of the most formidable business districts in the world, the area has an astounding number of cultural foundations, stunning parks such as Millennial Park and Maggie Daley Park, steps away from the Chicago Riverwalk, award-winning restaurants, and plenty of shopping! In addition, Chicago is serviced by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation from the suburbs to the city, taxis are plentiful, public parking garages for motorists, and bicycle share rentals and local bike lanes for bicyclists.</p> <p>Job Summary</p> <p>Supports the bureau/department in the development and implementation of high-level division planning and policy initiatives, including the development multi-modal investment strategies and programs such as freight, transit, and bicycling infrastructure. Assists with managing special initiatives in collaboration with external partners, coordinating and producing communication materials that align with the bureau/department's goals, and preparing transportation plans. Contribute to formulating and implementing bureau/department policies and procedures while serving as a bureau/department representative in internal and external agency matters. Support the county's transportation and development initiatives at all levels of local, state, and federal government. Supervise work progress, provide guidance, and approve final projects completed by staff and consultants assigned to the division.</p> <p>Typical Job Duties</p> <ul> <li>Assist in the administration, supervision, and coordination of all planning initiatives, as well as other duties carried out by internal staff and consulting firms. </li><li>Draft and coordinate policy communications, legislative materials, and transportation plans that support the bureau/department's strategic goals. </li><li>May represent the department in intergovernmental and public forums, advocating for the administration's transportation and development policies. </li><li>Help formulate the County's positions on transportation and development initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. </li><li>Collaborate with elected officials, Federal, State, and local governmental agencies, and the public regarding planning initiatives. </li><li>Manage compliance with state and federal reporting tied to funding agreements, ensuring timely and accurate submissions. </li><li>Coordinate with the Project Development and the Administration and Fiscal Management teams on capital project finance, project initiation, budgetary analysis, and project management, with a focus on strategic alignment. </li><li>Lead the evaluation, recommendation, selection, and negotiation process for professional services in alignment with qualifications-based selection guidelines, in accordance with policy objectives. Prepare requests for qualifications and contract specifications. </li><li>Oversee and evaluate the work of department staff, while also coordinating and training employees on various planning initiatives for the bureau/department. </li><li>Confer with senior leadership on confidential personnel issues including performance evaluations, recommendations on promotions, and disciplinary actions. </li><li>Act as a liaison by communicating employee disciplinary and termination polices to departmental staff and representing the department in disciplinary hearings. </li></ul> <p>Required for all jobs</p> <p>Performs other duties as assigned.</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree or higher and </li><li>Four (4) years of experience in urban planning, public administration, public policy, law, or civil engineering. </li><li>An equivalent combination of education and/or experience. </li></ul> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Six (6) years of experience in urban planning, public administration, public policy, law, or civil engineering. </li><li>Four (4) years of previous management or supervisory experience. </li></ul> <p>Knowledge, Skills and Abilities</p> <ul> <li>Knowledge of the operations and functions of the Strategic Planning and Policy Bureau, as well as principles, practices, policies, programs, and regulations related to transportation engineering and planning. </li><li>Provide strategic leadership, insight, support, and direction to support the unit's mission and goals. </li><li>Skill in developing scope and negotiating contracts with consultants. </li><li>Skill and expertise in coordinating diverse disciplines, work elements and settings. </li><li>Ability to prepare complex reports, project summaries, correspondence and maintain accurate records, with the ability to implement plans and objectives, and oversee the efficiency and performance of specific processes and operations. </li><li>Ability to solve complex problems that have long-term impact on the unit and organization, as well as the ability to implement the strategic vision of a department or organization-wide function. </li><li>Ability to provide oversight of planning studies and policy analysis and coordinate with other bureaus on project implementation. </li><li>Ability to prepare and/or review annual and multi-year budget requests, assure effective and efficient use of budgeted funds, personnel, materials, facilities, and time, while maintaining confidentiality. </li><li>Ability to travel to work assignments throughout Cook County. </li></ul> <p>Physical Requirements:</p> <p>Medium Work involves exerting 20 to 50 pounds of force occasionally or 10 to 25 pounds of force frequently or an amount greater than negligible and up to 10 pounds constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.</p> <p>The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.</p> <p>EMPLOYMENT TERMS</p> <p>RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT: Pursuant to the Shakman Consent Decree, Supplemental Relief Order and the Cook County Personnel Rules, this position is exempt from the County's career service rules, is at-will and political reasons or factors may be considered when taking any employment action. As an employee in a Shakman Exempt Position, if you do not currently live in Cook County, you will have six (6) months from date of hire to establish actual residency within Cook County.</p> <p>Please contact shakmanexemptapplications@cookcountyil.gov for inquiries about this position.</p>