Research Analyst

Job Summary. The Research Analyst performs a variety of project tasks, including, but not limited

to, the following topics areas: environment, sustainability, land use, transportation, community and

economic development, grant research and development, project management, public engagement

and outreach, and others.

Illustrative Essential Job Functions. The duties listed below are intended to describe the general nature

and level of work of this position. The list is not exhaustive or restrictive, and other duties may be assigned.

General Responsibilities
- At a planning level, analyze the linkages between land use, demographics and socioeconomics,

environmental and transportation initiatives; at all times connecting the above

planning elements to economic development.
- Assist in a range of program and planning activities, including research, data collection, technical

writing, and stakeholder engagement.
- Assists in the development of current and long-term regional goals.
- Provides timely, routine reports of satisfactory progress toward goals and objectives.
- Supports the Economic Development District in the development of federally-required
- Analyze socio-economic data, census data and other planning centric data; support and

provide guidance to the regional planning tasks of the local agencies.
- Participate on cross-collaborative teams in conceptual and tangible planning for corridor,

redevelopment, and other related studies
- Maintain knowledge of changes in Federal and State laws relevant to assigned tasks.

Board and Committee Responsibilities
- Assists with council and committee schedules, meeting materials, meeting space, and may

provide administrative support
- Assists staff liaison interacting with governing board, policy committees, and advisory

committees.
- Ensures board and operational compliance with the Open Meetings Act (OMA) and Freedom of

Information Act (FOIA).

Research Responsibilities
- Research, collect, compile, record, and summarize technical data and reports.

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- Implements quantitative and qualitative research methodology.
- Assist in maintaining key economic and demographic datasets, and researching and identifying additional datasets to be tracked.

Grant Services
- Contributes to writing narratives and compiling data to obtain grant funding.
- Identifies partnership opportunities and alternate sources of funding.
- Assists in the fulfillment of grant and other funding-source-required deliverables.
- Helps coordinate grant and other funding-source compliance, involving partner organizations, if applicable.
- Helps monitor grant and other funding source expenditures to ensure limits are observed.

Other
- Creates and implements marketing and communications tactics where applicable.
- Utilizes agency resources in a cost-effective, efficient manner, and according to policy.
- Maintains physical and digital records, consistent with best practices and the Illinois Local Records Act.
- Attends, facilitates, and presents at meetings, events, and other engagements representing R1.
- Maintains a professional office setting through cleanliness, organization, and demeanor.
- Works collaboratively with others to ensure the success and achievement of colleagues and members in the fulfillment of R1 priorities.
- Maintains reasonable and predictable attendance.
- Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received. Work is performed under the general supervision of the assigned supervisor.

Supervision Exercised. Supervision is not a responsibility of this position, although functional direction may be exercised over staff in connection with various activities under the responsibility of this position.

Education, Training, Experience

Graduation from an accredited institution with a Bachelor's degree in a related field, and 0-2 years related experience preferred. A satisfactory equivalent combination of experience and training which ensures the ability to perform the work may be considered.

Licenses & Certifications. Annual completion of Open Meetings Act and Freedom of Information Act training required.

Job-Specific Skills. Critical knowledge and fundamental skills required for the position, include:

- Self-starter with the ability to work independently and respond to challenges proactively;
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills;
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- Excellent research skills;
- Work collaboratively with others to ensure the success and achievement of team members in the fulfillment of R1 priorities;
- Possess the ability to learn and understand complex federal, state, and local regulatory and ordinance languages;
- Possess the ability to learn and understand strategies which address various environmental and sustainability topics, such as: energy, water quality, waste reduction, transportation, and sustainability education;
- Initiative to problem-solve, develop plans, and follow-through;
- Proficient with PowerPoint, Excel, and Word with careful attention t