Regional Housing and Land Use Planner II

Job Type
Planning
Organization
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
Contact Name
Holly Louis
Contact Email
hr@mapc.org
Address

60 Temple Place
Boston, MA
United States

Job Description

Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Regional Housing and Land Use Planner II to join the agency's Housing Working Group within the Land Use Department. The Planner II will work on a wide range of projects requiring skills in data collection and analysis and knowledge of state housing policy and programming, zoning, displacement risk and mitigation, and community engagement. Familiarity with residential and Affordable Housing development is a plus. This individual will manage some projects and contribute to others, including Housing Production Plans, housing elements of master plans, research projects, rezoning efforts, and more. The Planner will report to the Chief of Housing and Neighborhood Development.

About MAPC:
MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our mission is to promote smart growth and regional collaboration. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.
MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.
MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.
This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

  • Contribute to master plans, citywide housing plans, rezoning efforts (such as inclusionary zoning, Section 3A compliance, Chapter 40R districts, and others), equitable development processes, strategic plans for local committees and other entities, and other projects
  • Manage a variety of projects based on level of experience and expertise 
  • Conduct research and data analysis, such as housing market analyses, assessment of housing needs, and audits of local tools 
  • Use data-driven methodologies to assess development constraints and identify opportunities
  • Prepare memos, reports, presentations, and other materials to support planning efforts and public processes 
  • Design and facilitate public forums, workshops, and other digital and in-person community engagement events
  • Develop visual content and materials to raise awareness of housing challenges and advocate for local housing policies and best practices
  • Remain informed about current planning issues, resources, policies, and programs

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including a Zipcar account and BlueBikes membership. 

 

Qualifications

Candidates must have either a Master’s degree pertaining to urban/regional planning, economic development, affordable housing, real estate development, public policy/management, urban design/architecture or closely related field and at least 2 years of relevant job experience, OR a Bachelor’s degree plus at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.   

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

  • Knowledge and understanding of current best planning practices related to housing planning; residential zoning and permitting; and federal, state, and local policy and programming, such as M.G.L. Chapter 40B and 40R, Section 3A of M.G.L. Chapter 40A, the Community Preservation Act, HOME, and CDBG
  • Knowledge of and/or experience with Affordable Housing development, subsidy and finance programs, and financial pro forma are beneficial but not required
  • Ability to organize and analyze large quantitative data sets to draw conclusions in demographic, real estate, and other areas
  • Ability to use GIS effectively is a plus 
  • Strong research, writing, and communication skills 
  • Strong design skills, including ability to utilize Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, and other software for the purposes of creating boards, presentations, and infographics
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively with a diverse stakeholders,  community groups, government officials (especially local elected and appointed officials), and others in both urban and suburban settings
  • Community engagement skills, including facilitation, consensus-building, and conflict resolution
  • Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting with colleagues as well as external partners
  • Ability to work independently and manage projects of small to medium scale

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees, including remote employees, must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including the Bivalent booster. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law.

Compensation and Benefits: 
The salary ranges from $65,000 - $75,000, depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development. 

Application Instruction

How to Apply: 
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. 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. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.