JOB DESCRIPTION

Tri-County Regional Planning Commission (TCRPC) serves Peoria, Tazewell, and Woodford Counties in central Illinois. The Commission works to understand regional needs and conditions and to develop strategies that enhance the region’s communities. Within the Peoria-Pekin Urbanized Area, TCRPC serves as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).

Tri-County offers a friendly work atmosphere with open communications for cooperative decision-making and opportunities to work individually and in team settings on transportation, land use, and environmental projects throughout the tri-county region.

Tri-County seeks a full-time Community and Regional Planner to support a variety of community and land use planning projects throughout the tri-county region. Primary responsibilities include assisting with comprehensive plans, housing and demographic analysis, public engagement activities, and other long-range planning efforts. The successful candidate will work closely with local governments, partner agencies, and residents to help communities identify opportunities, address challenges, and implement planning solutions that support long-term growth and quality of life. Examples of the varied work produced by staff are available on TCRPC's website: https://tricountyrpc.org/.

Essential Job Functions

• Become a collaborative part of the planning team by researching, organizing, and completing existing programmed projects and providing input regarding project development.
• Assist in the development and update of comprehensive plans, active transportation plans, corridor plans, and other community planning initiatives and implementation activities.
• Collect, maintain, and analyze demographic, economic, housing, land use, and transportation data.
• Prepare reports, planning recommendations, maps, presentations, and other project materials.
• Coordinate and participate in public engagement activities, including workshops, public meetings, stakeholder interviews, surveys, and outreach events.
• Assist local governments in identifying planning priorities, implementation opportunities, and potential funding sources.
• Assist in the identification of grant opportunities and support the preparation of grant applications, supporting documentation, and implementation strategies for local governments and regional planning initiatives.
• Participate in land use planning by reviewing applications for rezoning, special use, and variance; and develop staff reports and Findings of Facts to support partners’ Zoning Boards of Appeals and Land Use Committees.
• Participate in transportation planning and other regional planning projects as assigned.
• Attend Commission, Technical, Human Service Transportation Plan (HSTP) Committee, and other meetings as needed or assigned to provide technical support and/or present information regarding the proposed planning materials and programs.
• Stay current with Community and Regional Planning industry innovations and trends.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in urban planning, geography, public administration, or a related field.
• The level at which this position is filled will be based on an individual’s qualifications and experience.
• Candidates must be detail-oriented and organized, skilled in verbal and written communication, and able to work in a team setting and on multiple projects simultaneously.
• Experience with MPOs, local governments, comprehensive planning, land use planning, public engagement, grant writing, project management skills, or related planning activities is beneficial.
• Basic knowledge of ArcGIS, Adobe InDesign, and other graphic applications is helpful.

Compensation & Benefits

Salary is based on experience and capabilities, with a starting range of $48,000 - $72,000 for a 40-hour work week. Employees are expected to be in office 35 hours per week (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., with a one-hour lunch), plus the occasional evening meetings or community events as needed. Excellent benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, with optional health savings account; life insurance; short-term disability insurance; IMRF pension plan; 457b deferred compensation; and paid time off, including holiday, vacation, personal, and sick leave.

To Apply

Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Interested candidates are encouraged to submit a letter of interest summarizing relevant experience and professional goals, a resume, and the names and contact information for three references via email to employment@tricountyrpc.org or via mail to TCRPC, 456 Fulton Street, Suite 401, Peoria, Illinois 61602. 

TCRPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified minorities, women, veterans, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be able to work legally in the United States.