The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission, serving 40 communities in southern Worcester County including the City of Worcester, seeks an innovative, diligent, and team-oriented community development professional to join its multi-disciplinary Regional Collaboration and Community Planning staff. This division provides a broad spectrum of support and technical services, including community and economic development planning; energy and environmental planning; open space and recreation planning; zoning bylaw and subdivision regulation writing and technical assistance; master and open space planning; and a variety of grant writing and administrative services.
Exciting projects in a supportive, flexible, and respectful organization.
CMRPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in southern Central Massachusetts. Our mission is to improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the region. Join our team with supportive colleagues making real impacts in the communities of Central Massachusetts. CMRPC supports the complete team member as we work on meaningful, innovative, and exciting projects while respecting and supporting the individual’s wellness and a balanced and fulfilling work life.
CMRPC offers a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment, and a commitment to ongoing professional development. We take pride in the diversity of our workforce and encourage all qualified people to apply. CMRPC is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, religious creed, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, veteran’s status and/or ancestry. Reasonable accommodations will be provided where needed.
CMRPC’s office includes approximately 40 full-time employees located in the Worcester Central Business District in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office, LEED-certified building. Free parking is provided in the attached garage. For further detail on CMRPC, please visit www.cmrpc.org.
Typical Duties
This position will focus on CMRPC’s community development program. The successful applicant will aid partner communities with community development planning and needs assessments, project eligibility discussions, project selection recommendations, public outreach, field surveys, grant applications, budgeting, and grant administration and compliance. The community development project coordinator will manage grant-funded projects generally implemented by consultants/contractors that typically include plans (ADA, infrastructure, and environmental), architectural and engineering designs, building and public works construction, and occasionally oversight of housing rehabilitation and/or social service partnerships. Additional roles from time to time may include support for aspects of community master plans, climate/resilience plans, development of shared municipal services, other grant seeking, and/or brownfields revitalization assistance.
Qualifications
Master’s degree in community and/or urban planning, public policy, public administration, environmental science, natural resource management, or similar with some relevant work experience is preferred. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may be considered with at least 4 years of sufficient relevant work experience and progressively increasing responsibilities. Depending on the selected applicant’s experience and qualifications, the position may be filled at Level Two or Level Three. Minimum requirements for Level Three are a bachelor’s degree in planning, public or business administration, or a closely related field plus seven-plus years of related experience; and for Level Two a bachelor’s degree in planning, public administration, or a closely related field plus three-plus years of related experience. A higher degree in a closely related field may be substituted for a portion of the required experience.
Grant writing/administration and project management skills are core requirements. Knowledge of and experience under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program is particularly desired, especially experience with the Massachusetts state CDBG program, But strong candidates without direct CDBG experience will also be considered. Knowledge of standard workplace computer applications (MS Office, Adobe Acrobat, etc.) is required; experience with geographic information systems (GIS) is beneficial. The successful candidate will demonstrate other desired skills and experience, including:
- Project management and organizational skills (including budgeting), the ability to lead several simultaneous projects, and the ability to thrive in a team environment
- Excellent communication skills, including writing, public speaking, meeting facilitation, public outreach, and coordination with municipal officials and committees
- Knowledge of Massachusetts procurement regulations; MCPPO certification is desirable
- Strong writing, analytical, communication, and time management skills;
- A professional demeanor and a positive “can do” attitude
- A task-oriented work ethic and excellent attention to detail;
- Ability to analyze and solve problems independently in a resourceful and innovative manner;
- Ability to proactively set priorities and multi-task without compromising attention to detail;
- Understanding of multi-step processes and how to work within them in a team environment;
- Ability to work independently and meet deadlines while not being afraid to ask questions;
- Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Supplemental Information
This is a full-time position with an excellent state employee benefits package. Standard work week is 5 days (37.5 hours/week). Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. Candidate must be willing to adhere to all active and future public safety requirements (including mask and/or vaccination mandates). While many CMRPC staff are currently working remotely at least in part, all staff must be available for in-person meetings within the region as needed, and it is expected that staff be available for in-office work as is appropriate for their work assignments.
Starting salary range is $64,360 to $80,000 depending on experience and qualifications. Offers will be commensurate with relevant experience. In addition to competitive compensation, CMRPC offers a great work environment and an excellent benefits package. This position is exempt under the guidelines of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act.
If you can bring a competitive streak, relevant skills and experience, and a strong work ethic to CMRPC in this capacity, please submit you’re a cover letter, resume, three professional references supporting your qualifications, to Trish Settles, CMRPC, One Mercantile Street, Worcester, MA 01608 or email tsettles@cmrpc.org. Materials should be received by 5:00pm Friday, May 26, 2022. The position is open until filled or canceled.