Land Use and Comprehensive Planning Principal Planner

Full Time Position | Posted December 13, 2024

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) seeks candidates for a full-time (37.5 hours/week) Principal Planner, Land Use and Comprehensive Planning position within the agency’s Regional Collaboration and Community Planning (RCCP) Department. The ideal candidate will serve as a key member of the agency’s community planning program, which includes land use, comprehensive and master planning, and housing verticals. The planner will split their time between land use and comprehensive planning initiatives and may work on other projects based on interest and need. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, innovative, team-based environment with growth opportunities.

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 60 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

As a mid-senior member of the community planning team, the staffer will lead, delegate, and assist with projects. Projects may include zoning diagnostics, zoning (code) rewrites, development of bylaws, review of subdivision regulations, site-specific constraints analysis, comprehensive/ master (general) plans, downtown and town center plans, housing production plans, regional initiatives, and grant writing.

This is a writing, analysis, and communication-intensive position. It requires the ability to analyze and synthesize a wide variety of inputs, author zoning codes and long-form narratives, and communicate in public settings. A strong foundation of planning/community development theory and data/analytical skills are essential. The successful applicant will be able to lead complex planning processes with minimal supervision and possess working knowledge of land use and zoning principles. Attention to detail and a thorough, conscientious nature are necessary for success.

Specific duties will include:

Lead complex planning processes for land use/ zoning and comprehensive planning projects. Conduct zoning diagnostics and updates. Coordinate master planning updates. Author master plan elements.
Assist team members with land use projects, master plans, and other initiatives. Provide gap assistance and support to managers, other project leads, and master plan chapter authors.
Participate in and coordinate public meetings (e.g., visioning sessions, workshops, committee meetings, and CMRPC presentations). Identify issues and opportunities. Review local regulations for compliance, best practices, and alignment with community priorities; 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 (i.e., grant writing, proposals).
Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Master’s degree in community, regional, or urban planning, public policy, public administration, environmental science, natural resource management, English, or similar with five years of relevant professional (non-internship, non-graduate school) work experience is preferred. Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may be considered with at least seven years of sufficient relevant work experience and progressively increasing responsibilities.

The successful applicant will demonstrate all or most of the following skills:

A familiarity with land use and zoning principles, or a background in planning with a desire to develop proficiency in land use and zoning, including Massachusetts zoning law.
Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods and data analysis. Proficiency with GIS and working with census data. Experience applying these methods in a planning context.
Strong writing, communication, data, analytical, and time management skills.
A professional demeanor and a positive “can do” attitude.
A strong attention to detail and conscientiousness/thoroughness.
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.
An understanding of multi-step processes and working 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, Tableau, Sketchup, Adobe Suite (Illustrator), and other visualization tools a plus.
Professional-level data analysis skills are preferred. AICP is a plus.

This is a full-time position with an excellent employee benefits package. Standard work week is 5 days (37.5 hours/week). Starting salary will range from $64,360 to $75,000.00 depending on qualifications and experience. Offers will be commensurate with relevant experience. In addition to competitive compensation, CMRPC offers a great work environment and an excellent benefits package. CMRPC offers a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

This position is exempt under the guidelines of the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. 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 at least 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.

If you can bring a competitive streak, relevant skills and experience, and a strong work ethic to CMRPC in this capacity, please submit your Resume, Letter of interest, and 3 References to jobinquiry@cmrpc.org. This position is open until canceled or filled.