POSITION: Assistant Planner
DEPARTMENT: Planning and Development
HOURS OF WORK: 37.5 Hours Weekly
CLASSIFICATION: Full-Time, Union Position
COMPENSATION: $58,000-$68,000 Depending on qualifications, generous benefits package
The Assistant Planner, working under the direction of the Planning and Community Development Director, focuses on short, intermediate, and long-term planning initiatives in the areas of land use, housing, commercial development, economic development, and more. They are responsible for reviewing all site plans that go before the Planning Board and coordinating between the board, developers, town officials, and any other interested parties.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The items listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed and is not to be considered a full and complete list of all duties and responsibilities. Other reasonably related tasks may be assigned. The Assistant Planner:
- reviews sub-division, special permits, and other applications that are to go to the Planning Board
- reviews all applications for completion;
- ensures that town consultants have all the technical specifications pertaining to a project that they need;
- reviews special requirements to applications and ensures developers understand their responsibilities;
- coordinates all departmental reviews of applications and ensures all staff is on the same page;
- extracts comments from various town departments and communicates those comments to developers prior to the public hearing;
- meets with developers before public hearings in order to make final change to plan designs;
- drafts and posts public hearing notices in required places;
- sends public notices to abutters as required;
- ensures the appropriate fees are paid;
- meets with the Planning Board to review applications, discuss agenda, and work through information prior to a public meeting;
- drafts all staff reports for the Planning Board on projects;
- attends two monthly planning board meetings;
- coordinates additional peer reviews as directed by the Planning Board or the Director of Planning and Community Development
- drafts official Planning Board decisions and comments;
- administers payments and documentation for the Affordable Housing Trust;
- organizes and attends pre-construction meetings between the town and contractors when projects are approved to ensure that the conditions of the permit are understood by all parties;
- coordinates meetings between the town and contractors during a project to resolve sudden issues;
- reviews as-built plans when applicants apply for certificates of completion;
- calculates and adjusts annually the Maximum Inclusionary Housing Contribution Payment for Planning Board approval;
- creates and submits the Annual Town Report for the Planning Board each year;
- researches potential zoning changes as needed;
- writes staff reports twice a year to update the Board of Selectmen on Planning Board activities;
- works on planning related grants each year;
- assists in the planning of several town events yearly;
- researches properties in the town as they relate to ownership and zoning as projects arise;
- acts as the Complete Streets designee;
- works with the MVPC and town staff to use and maintain the town’s GIS system; and
- works with the Planning Department Administrative Assistant to manage all activities relating to escrow accounts.
SUPERVISION
Reports to the Director of Planning and Community Development or their designee.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALITIES
- Well versed in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint including;
- Must be able to handle continual interruptions in workflow;
- Must be able to change between tasks quickly and alter priorities as needed;
- Must be able to understand basic financial information;
- Must be able to learn new software as needed;
- Must have refined organizational and documentation skills.
- Must be able to keep-up with changing state or local zoning laws;
- Must be able to cooperatively work with others
- Must be able to adhere to strict timeframes as they relate to projects, grants, and other time sensitive work.
- Must be able to confidently and politely work with vendors, contractors, and members of the public.
- Must be able to use Windows 10 or higher.
- Must have excellent oral and written skills.
- Must be able use GIS.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position, applicants must have at a minimum the following:
- Bachelor’s Degree in a planning related concentration and two years’ experience in municipal planning;
- Two years of customer services experience;
- Two years in a position that works with business owners or contractors;
- Experience creating maps and performing geospatial analyses using ESRI (e.g., ArcGIS) products or similar software.
DESIRED QUALITIES AND QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants will gain special consideration if they have the following qualities or qualifications:
- Master’s degree in a planning related concentration;
- Planning experience working for a Massachusetts municipality;
- Experience being on a municipal planning board;
- Experience obtaining and managing grants.
WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Work environment is that similar to an office environment and includes varying levels of noise from visitors, telephones, office equipment, and computers. Must be able to use computers, telephones, and other office equipment as required. Must be able to perform this job through regular interruptions in workflow. Environment includes interacting with co-workers, other town employees, residents, contractors and interest groups. Standing, walking, bending, crouching, seeing, hearing, talking, carrying, climbing and the ability to lift 20lbs is required.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to help individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested applicants are asked to send a cover letter, resume, and three references to jobs@salisburyma.gov. Applicants will be notified before references are called. Position open until filled.
*The Town of Salisbury is an EEO/ADA Employer*