Employment opportunity: SSMMA Community Development Planner

Open Position: Community Development Planner The South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association (SSMMA) is seeking a Community Development Planner. SSMMA is a non- profit Council of Governments representing 44 communities in south Cook and eastern Will counties. SSMMA is involved in transportation, housing, economic development, open space, environmental, broadband and other issues important to our member communities and our region. SSMMA’s GIS department supports these activities and maintains the South Suburban Atlas which provides efficient, innovative and high quality GIS services to members of the South Suburban GIS Consortium. For more information on SSMMA, please see our website http://www.ssmma.org.  The job description can be downloaded here.

Position Description The Community Development Planner will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Engage municipal leaders and staff in partner initiatives, specifically Cook County Dept. of Public Health’s Healthy HotSpot Initiative • Engage corner store owners in the corner store conversion process by strengthening relationships with municipal officials and other project partners • Engage local community in the corner store conversion process and other health-related initiatives by using various community engagement strategies • Conduct individual outreach and organize events to educate south suburban municipal officials and staff on health-related issues and opportunities • Provide Technical Assistance opportunities to advance corner store conversions, complete streets policies, and/or smoke-free multi-unit housing • Leverage existing programs administered by SSMMA and partner organizations to advance health-related initiatives. • Participate in SSMMA-related events

Required Skills The Community Development Planner should have a working knowledge of both community and economic development, leveraging various programs, community and municipal engagement techniques, and experience working in the south suburban region or knowledge of current south suburban programs and initiatives. Prior knowledge of public health topics is helpful, but not required.

A bachelor’s or Master’s (preferred) degree in urban and regional planning with a focus on community or economic development or related field of study is required. Relevant professional experience may be substituted for education.

This is a full time (35 hours/week) position. This is a 3-year grant-funded salaried position and includes a fringe benefit package. The position will remain open until filled. South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association is an equal opportunity employer.

Please respond with resume and cover letter or with questions about the position by email, fax or mail by 4:30 PM on April 3, 2015 to: Lakeshia Wright, AICP South Suburban Mayors and Managers Association 1904 W. 174th Street East Hazel Crest, Illinois 60429 Phone: 708.922.4677 Fax: 708.206.1133 Lakeshia.Wright@ssmma.org