Regional Land Use Planner II

Description

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Regional Planner II within the agency's Land Use Department. This Regional Land Use Planner II would focus on a diverse array of planning projects with local communities, including, but not limited to, undertaking local visioning and master plans, downtown and corridor planning, and housing and economic development planning, with a particular focus on developing zoning bylaws/ordinances and other planning efforts that will  advance sustainable development., The Planner may also have the opportunity to assist in evaluating and improving state, policies and programs to encourage smart growth and regional collaboration. The Planner will work closely with state agencies, local officials, community groups, businesses, and institutions. 

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development, regional collaboration, and fostering an equitable and resilient region.  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 and every 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 

About the Department: 

The Land Use Department of MAPC consists of 18 professional planners  who are broadly grouped into the Housing Division, Economic Development Division, and the Land Use Specialists’ Division.  Although there is ample and regular opportunity for staff to work across Divisions, the Land Use Planner II will be part of the Land Use Specialists’ Division, which takes on a broad range of planning activities and policy efforts, as outlined below.  Depending upon needs, the Planner II may also be directly involved with projects under the Housing or Economic Development divisions, and will frequently be engaged in projects with other MAPC departments such as Environment, Transportation, Data Services, Arts and Culture, and Community Engagement.   

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Participate as a member of a team of MAPC Planners to assist municipalities to develop visions, action plans, and strategies as separate documents or as components of master plans, open space plans, or corridor plans, and to implement such plans through zoning, permitting procedures, or policy changes;
• Assist municipalities with the implementation of the MBTA Section 3A requirement for zoning for multi-family residential development within reasonable proximity to transit stations; 
• Assist municipalities with studies, plans and programs designed to enhance post-COVID economic recovery and to build economic resiliency to future market impacts;
• Assist in the preparation of housing plans and technical development and drafting of residential zoning, such as inclusionary zoning;
• Research and prepare reports, studies, testimony, and presentations;
• Organize workshops and educational events for the public;
• Make public presentations and facilitate public discussions;
• Remain informed about current planning issues, resources, and programs;
• Review legislation and regulatory changes at the state and federal levels;
• Advocate for public policies and best practices at various levels of government;
• Interact with environmental, economic development, transportation, housing and community development organizations, state agencies, and the public; and
• Other responsibilities as assigned to advance MAPC's mission and Regional Plan. 

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 master planning, visioning, downtown or corridor planning, economic development or workforce planning, affordable housing development or preservation, open space planning, and similar activities;
• Topical understanding in areas such as land use, housing, economic development, and open space, as well as federal, state and local land use policy issues, laws, and regulations;
• Experience in providing planning assistance to local government, especially by preparing bylaws/ordinances to implement municipal goals and to promote smart growth and sustainable development;
• Experience participating in projects with multi-person teams; experience as a project manager is a plus;
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and meaningfully engage with a diverse audience of community groups, municipal planners, government officials (especially local elected and appointed officials), advocates, and other key stakeholders, in both urban and suburban settings;
• Ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting with colleagues as well as external partners;
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills, including ability to interpret data and to use GIS effectively;
• Strong graphic design skills utilizing Adobe Creative Suite products (e.g., Illustrator and InDesign) to develop boards, presentations, and infographics
• Strong skills and abilities in public process, facilitation, and collaboration;
• Commitment and ability to advocate for sustainable land use practices and greater equity throughout Metro Boston, especially in housing, employment, and other issues.

Preferred:

• Proficiency in Sketch-Up to develop digital massing models for diagrams is preferable but not required.
• Proficiency in a language other than English is also a plus, but not required, with a preference for languages spoken in Metro Boston.

NOTE: Interested applicants who do not quite meet all of the qualifications are encouraged to apply. At MAPC’s sole discretion, the Agency may consider such applicants for a Regional Planner I position.

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 $68,000 - $78,000, 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.