Assistant/Associate Community Development Project Planner

Full Time Position | Posted February 26, 2024

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.

About CMRPC

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 accommodation will be provided where needed.

CMRPC’s office includes almost 50 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 be based in CMRPC’s four-person community development team. 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, as well as aspects of budgeting, grant administration and grant compliance. The community development project planner will coordinate 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 portions of community master plans, hazard mitigation/climate resilience plans, development of shared municipal services, or other grant seeking.

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree or higher in community and/or urban planning, geography, public policy, public administration, economics, or equivalent with 2-4 years of relevant full-time work experience and progressively increasing responsibility is desired, but strong candidates with less experience are also welcome to apply. Depending on the selected applicant’s experience and qualifications, the position may be filled at Level One or Level Two. The minimum requirements for Level Two are a relevant bachelor’s degree plus two to four years of related work experience. A higher degree in a closely related field may be substituted for a portion of the desired experience. Minimum qualifications for Level One are a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field plus approximately one year of related work 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 are also encouraged to apply. 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, the ability to coordinate 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.
Some knowledge of Massachusetts procurement practices.
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.

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 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.

The starting salary range is $50,000 to $64,360 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 a cover letter, resume, three professional references supporting your qualifications, to Stephanie Toupin, CMRPC, One Mercantile Street, Worcester, MA 01608 or email jobinquiry@cmrpc.org. The position is open until filled or canceled.