POSITION DESCRIPTION
RAINREADY PROJECT MANAGER
DECEMBER 2014
CNT is seeking an experienced and qualified project manager, with knowledge and expertise in green
infrastructure/stormwater management, to support our national RainReady initiative. RainReady helps
individual property owners and communities work together to find solutions to the problems of too
much or too little water. We help people who find their lives disrupted by flooding or water
shortages to come together to adopt RainReady practices and policies.
Accountability
The RainReady Project Manager will report directly to the Director, Water Program and collaborate
closely with other CNT staff on operations and production activities.
Responsibilities
The Project Manager will help communities get RainReady. Responsibilities include:
• Managing and expanding the RainReady Community initiative.
• Plan development: The Project Manager will be responsible for the development and preparation
of RainReady plans, with a focus on green infrastructure best management practices in relation to
urban flooding and stormwater management within the public rights-of- way and on private property.
• Risk/impact analysis: The Project Manager will be responsible for researching and developing
risk/impact models related to urban flooding, working closely with the RainReady Home team.
• Technical advisor and liaison: Offering technical advice and support to CNT Water and our
partners’ initiatives, including the RainReady Home team based at Elevate Energy. Liaise with
agencies, municipalities, non-profits, academics, residents, and elected leaders.
• Community outreach: Prepare and give presentations and workshops, including preparing
community maps and other outreach materials.
• Communications: Prepare and contribute to the creation of online guidance and materials (such
as factsheets, videos and photos).
• Team support: as part of the CNT Water team, participate in a wide range of activities, which
range from evening events, meeting legislators, travelling to conferences etc.
The work will involve working alongside the RainReady staff, our partners, and participating
communities.
Skills and qualifications
The ideal candidate has between two and five years’ practical experience in stormwater management,
with a Bachelors or Master’s degree in engineering, landscape architecture, hydrology or a related
field. We are seeking the following skills and experience:
• Knowledge and expertise in the use of green infrastructure best management practices - within
the public rights-of-way, on public land and on private property - for stormwater management
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and to alleviate urban flooding. This includes direct experience of developing plans for street
retrofits using green infrastructure.
• Analytical skills, e.g. the ability to carry out analysis on risk/impacts of green
infrastructure improvements as it relates to flood alleviation, water capture, and water quality
and develop a mode based on this analysis
• A track record of managing clients and working with public works officials, hydrologists,
landscape architects, and engineers in relation to green infrastructure for stormwater management.
• Experience in managing projects, preparing plans, and dealing with clients, contractors and
residents, particularly municipal clients. Experience preparing stormwater master plans for
municipal clients, that incorporate green infrastructure, would be particularly helpful.
• Knowledge of and experience working with stormwater management tools including flow dynamics,
hydrological mapping, LIDAR data and topography maps, and sewer maps and models.
• Excellent communications skills, in particular, working with clients and residents (e.g.
community mapping exercises), public works officials, academics and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to approach problems in a collaborative, open-minded and practical
manner, especially as it pertains to issues of urban flooding & green infrastructure;
• Exceptional knowledge of site construction and stormwater best management practices;
• Desire to help develop and implement pioneering and innovative, public-facing programs;
• Eagerness to travel throughout the Chicago area.
Desirable
• Proficiency using customer relationship management database;
• Proficiency using industry-standard design and communications software;
• Bilingual English/Spanish preferred;
• Valid state of Illinois driver’s license.
The Center for Neighborhood Technology is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate
against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, age disability, veteran status, or marital status. This policy applies to all terms
and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, termination, promotion,
transfer, layoff, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
This is an Exempt position. Salary is commensurate with experience.
To Apply
Please send cover letter, resume, and salary history to: Center for Neighborhood Technology
Human Resources - RRPM 2125 W. North Avenue Chicago, IL 60647
Email to: Careers@cnt.org
No phone calls please.
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Organizational Background
The Center for Neighborhood Technology (CNT) is an award-winning creative think-and-do tank that
advances urban sustainability by researching, inventing and testing strategies that use resources
more efficiently and equitably. CNT's staff works across a range of disciplines and
issues-including energy, climate, transportation, community development and housing, and natural
resources.
See our website for more information at www.cnt.org
RainReady offers a suite of solutions to communities, including:
RainReady Community helps municipalities and neighborhoods develop community-wide plans. In
addition to home upgrades (see below), the plan proposes water management and flood prevention
measures that extend to streets, parkways, forest lands, and public spaces. These preventive
measures include the use of porous paving, rain gardens, bioswales, and trees.
RainReady Home is a home upgrade, complete with a property assessment, construction oversight and
upfront financing. Improvements can include downspout disconnection, re-grading, foundation crack
sealing, porous paving, rain gardens, and backwater valves. Landscape improvements are prioritized.
CNT’s affiliate, Elevate Energy is refining the development and rollout of the service in the
Chicago region.
RainReady Alert is a real-time flood warning system for homeowners based on strategically
placed micro-sensors in basements and other locations. Because the sensors will create a dense,
internet- based network, they can be used to monitor and predict flooding events, generate dynamic
maps of affected areas, send advisories to participants, and allow for timely action, such as
preparing or evacuating the at-risk property.
