Policy Specialist

Background:

The Michigan Land Use Institute, one of America's largest and
most effective state-based Smart Growth policy and advocacy organizations,
seeks an accomplished journalist and/or public policy expert to serve as the
Policy Specialist and manage the Neighborhood Schools project, a promising
new initiative conducted in partnership with the Michigan Chamber of
Commerce.

The Neighborhood Schools project is designed to identify and publicize the
factors that drive school districts to build new schools in outlying areas
rather than invest in schools in city and town centers. The Neighborhood
Schools project also will document the effects new schools have on community
land use patterns, and strengthen support for new state policies that
promote investing in existing schools.

The successful candidate should be either an accomplished journalist with
significant experience in economic, tax, financial or real estate issues or
a public policy specialist with exceptional writing and journalism skills.

The position is a marvelous opportunity for a confident self-starter to use
the tools of policy development and journalism to influence the public
policy debate.

Duties:

The Policy Specialist will have the capacity to dig in to state and local
budgets, school district accounts, state law, and other source material in
order to understand the factors that influence decisions that affect the
location of new schools.

The successful candidate must have the ability to
work collaboratively with a diverse set of stakeholders including Michigan's
business community. And he or she must posses a solutions-oriented capacity
to develop winning policy recommendations and build support for them with
superior writing, speaking, and organizing skills.

The successful candidate also must have the proven story telling ability to
frame the school sprawl issue in compelling and meaningful terms and
successfully publish the project's findings on the Institute's award-winning
Web site, magazine, statewide news service, and for the Michigan print,
broadcast, and Internet media.

Qualifications:

• Experience in conducting original reporting and analysis on
  financial, real estate, and public investment or tax policy.
• Experience writing for a newspaper, magazine, professional journal or Web
  site on business, finance, real estate, and other economic issues.
• Spirit of an engaged advocate, rather than a detached analyst.
• Familiarity with small group facilitation, negotiation, and consensus
  building.
• Strong public speaking skills.
• Flexibility and enthusiasm for working closely with colleagues.
• Familiarity with community planning, land use, and state policy
  development.
• Ability to conceive and execute winning political strategies.
• Ability and willingness to travel extensively within the state of Michigan.
• Commitment to service in the public interest.

The Institute recruits the best people and turns them loose to do great
things. The Institute rewards achievement, prizes collegiality, and respects
individuality. Flexible hours, competitive wages and benefits and a
compelling mission make the Institute a premier place to work.

Hours: Full time.
Availability: Immediate.

Salary: Starting in mid-$30s, depending on experience and qualifications.
Excellent health and retirement plans are a benefit of employment at the
Institute.

Location: The Institute has offices in Beulah, Grand Rapids and Traverse
City. The Policy Specialist is welcome to work in any of these locations,
though Grand Rapids is preferred. Attendance at regular meetings at the
Institute's main office in Beulah is required.

Application Instructions:

To apply, send cover letter, resume, and writing samples by mail or email to:

Hans Voss
Executive Director
Michigan Land Use Institute
P.O. Box 500
Beulah, MI 49617

The Michigan Land Use Institute is an independent, non-profit organization
that conducts research and works with policy makers and citizens to link
environmental goals with economic development. The Institute is an equal
opportunity employer, considering candidates without regard to gender, race,
sexual preference, religion, or political affiliation.