Associate | Water Policy & Research

Associate | Water Policy & Research

About MPC 

Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) is dedicated to shaping a better, bolder, more equitable future for everyone. 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 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 to expand our team. Successful team members are curious and collaborative with strong communication and project management skills who recognize the connections between our core areas of work and seek to affect meaningful change. Central to living our values is embracing MPC’s organizational commitment to an anti-racist, anti-oppressive workplace and centering equity in strengthening our internal policies and practices. 

Role Overview 

Metropolitan Planning Council is hiring a full-time Associate to support research, analysis, and decision-making across the Water Program. This role will help advance MPC’s water policy agenda by developing research products, synthesizing complex information, and translating insights into practical recommendations for policy, strategy, and implementation. 

The Associate will work closely with the Senior Director and Water Program team to support project execution across key initiatives through research, analysis, coordination, and stakeholder engagement. This position reports to the Senior Director of the Water Program and will collaborate with colleagues across MPC as well as external partners and stakeholders.  

In the first year, this role is expected to focus on priority issues such as regional collaboration and fragmentation in water systems, state water policy and governance, procurement and infrastructure delivery, and emerging challenges at the intersection of water, energy, land use, and climate risk, among others. 

Core Responsibilities 

• Conduct research and analysis related to water policy, climate and nature, infrastructure systems, and public-sector implementation, with a focus on advancing equitable and long-term reform 
• Monitor and synthesize policy, legislative, and institutional developments at the local, regional, state, and national levels, identifying implications for MPC’s priorities.  
• Develop high-quality memos, briefs, reports, presentations, and other materials that translate research into clear, concise, and decision-relevant insights. 
• Organize and maintain research processes, source materials, and findings in a clear, rigorous, and replicable way to support project delivery and long-term program learning 
• Support project coordination by preparing background materials, tracking follow-up actions, and helping manage timelines, priorities, and partner engagement across Water Program initiatives 

Required Skills & Qualifications 

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in public policy, planning, environmental studies, economics, political science, urban studies, or related fields 
• Experience conducting policy research, analytical, and reading comprehension skills, with the ability to work effectively across policy, legal, regulatory, and technical materials 
• Excellent writing and communication skills, including the ability to synthesize complex information into clear, concise, and decision-relevent outputs for internal and external audiences 
• Experience conducting policy research, literature reviews, and structured analysis using multiple qualitative and quantitative sources 
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and follow-up across several concurrent projects 
• Proficiency with research, analysis, and AI-enabled productivity tools, with sound judgment and the ability to learn new systems quickly and apply them critically 
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a collegial, cross-functional environment 

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. 

Application Deadline: May 22, 2026 | 8:00 AM CST

Compensation and Benefits: 

The Salary range for this position is $63,500 - $68,500. 

For the 2026 benefit year, Metropolitan Planning Council’s robust and competitive compensation package for new full-time employees includes covering approximately 80% of the employee premium for health benefits, 100% of the employee premium for dental benefits, and Disability and Life insurance. Additionally, MPC provides all full-time employees with a hybrid work environment, parental leave, up to five weeks of accrued vacation, transit benefits, a professional development stipend, and access to an onsite fitness center, among other benefits.  

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 

2) Your résumé; or CV 

No phone calls please. 

For more information on MPC, please visit our website: www.metroplanning.org MPC is an equal opportunity employer. 

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.