The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) seeks candidates for the full-time (37.5 hours/week) position of Comprehensive/ Land Use Planner within the agency’s Regional Collaboration and Community Planning Department. The staffer will serve as a key member of the agency’s Community Planning program, which includes Comprehensive/ Master Planning, Land Use, and Housing. The staffer will contribute to the development and coordination of long-range comprehensive master plans, land use and zoning projects, and other initiatives. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, innovative, team-based environment with an opportunity for growth.
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 is a writing, analysis, and communication-intensive position. It requires the ability to analyze and synthesize a wide variety of inputs; author long-form narratives; and communicate in public settings. The successful applicant will be able to lead complex planning processes with minimal supervision and possess working knowledge of land use and zoning principles. As a mid-to-senior member of the Community Planning team, the staffer will lead, delegate, and assist with the development of projects. Beyond comprehensive plans, projects may include zoning diagnostics, zoning rewrites, development of bylaws, review of subdivision regulations, site-specific constraints analysis, housing production plans, and regional initiatives. The Planner will also aid the Master Plan team generally. This entails working closely with Project Managers and other project leads to review draft deliverables and assist with one-off tasks.
Specific duties will include:
- Lead complex planning processes for comprehensive master plans and land use/ zoning projects. Develop Master Plan elements. Conduct zoning and land use diagnostics and updates.
- Assist Community Planning team members with master plans and land use projects. Provide gap assistance to Project Managers, project leads, and master plan chapter authors.
- Participate in and coordinate public meetings (e.g., visioning sessions, committee meetings, and CMRPC presentations). Synthesize public input, data, and best practices into community-driven vision statements, goals, objectives, and action plans. Review local regulations for compliance, best practices, and community goals; develop language that aligns regulations with community needs.
- Develop surveys and benchmark reviews. Prepare and disseminate questionnaires. Conduct stakeholder interviews, desk research, and fieldwork. Collect, analyze, and synthesize data to identify issues, trends, challenges, and needs. Create maps, charts, and other visualizations.
- Resource development (e.g., grant writing, proposals).
- Other duties as assigned.
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.
The successful applicant will demonstrate all or most of the following skills:
- 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;
- Ability to effectively use programs such as Canva, Storymaps, Sketchup, Adobe Suite of Programs, and other visualization tools a plus.
- Professional level Geographic Information Services (GIS) and data analysis skills are preferred.
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). Most CMRPC staff currently work remotely at least in part. However, 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, typically this is on average 2 days per week.
Starting salary range is $50,000 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 your 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 must be received by 5:00pm May 12, 2023. The position is open until filled or canceled.