Manager of Environmental Planning

Full Time Position | Posted August 16. 2024

The Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) seeks candidates for the full-time (37.5 hours/week) position of Manager of Environmental Planning within the agency’s Regional Collaboration and Community Planning Department (RCCP).

The ideal candidate will work on and coordinate the work of others on open space and recreation plans, hazard mitigation plans, climate pollution reduction, energy reduction and resiliency planning with the possibility of intersectional work on comprehensive master plans, economic development plans, housing plans, and similar efforts. The successful candidate will thrive in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with an opportunity for growth.

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 roughly 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 is a research, writing, facilitation intensive position in which the Program Manager will seek out data, create visual tools, maps, and planning documents, zoning bylaws, and grant applications. Additionally, this position requires the ability to compile and analyze a wide variety of data, to communicate (in writing and in person) in public settings and to facilitate and coordinate public outreach activities. The successful applicant will be a key part of our Regional Collaboration and Community Planning Department and will take part in various local and regional planning efforts. This new role will involve day-to-day guidance of junior and mid-level staff and oversight/coordination of multiple simultaneous environmental and resiliency planning activities within CMRPC’s environmental planning team.

Specific duties will include:

Contributing to the development of a wide variety of planning initiatives and regional and municipal support activities. This will likely include participation in climate resiliency and mitigation initiatives, energy efficiency initiatives, hazard mitigation planning, open space and recreation planning and trail mapping.
Leading CMRPC’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant (CPRG) program, a US EPA-funded effort to develop a regional plan to address climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the Worcester metro area
Working with municipalities to seek resources for energy saving efforts, in coordination with the Green Communities coordinator.
Contributing to community development, housing, and economic development plans including contextual data collection, research, analysis, community engagement, meeting facilitation, and goal, objective, and action strategy articulation.
Developing resources related to topical efforts to benefit the region and its communities.
Working with local officials to identify resiliency needs and opportunities and short-term strategies to address them.
Developing and deploying community engagement tools such as online surveys.
Contributing to project or organization social media platforms, websites, newsletters, and informational booklets.
Tracking the workflow, schedule and budgetary status of ongoing projects, and coordinating work among both CMRPC staff and external project partners
Assisting with other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Master’s degree in community and/or urban planning, public policy, public administration, environmental science, natural resource management, or similar with five or more years’ progressively responsible professional work experience in the environmental/resiliency field is preferred.

Candidates with a Bachelor’s degree may be considered with sufficient relevant work experience.

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

Strong writing, graphic, or GIS skills with the ability to tailor messages to specific audiences.
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.
Excellent time management and project management skills.
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.
Strong Microsoft Office skills, particularly Outlook, Excel, and Word.
Ability to effectively use programs such as Canva, Sketchup, Adobe Suite of Programs, and other visualization tools a plus.
Professional level Geographic Information Services (GIS) and data analysis skills are preferred.
Ability to develop social media messages in multiple platforms to engage community.
Ability to provide guidance to junior staff and coordinate multiple projects in multiple topic areas

This is a full-time position with an excellent state employee benefits package. Standard work week is 5 days (37.5 hours/week). Starting salary will range from $75,000 to $90,000 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. Priority will be given to applications received on or before August 30, 2024. This position is open until canceled or filled.