Job Information
Boston Planning and Development Agency Senior Planner II in Boston, Massachusetts
boston planning & development agency
*BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT*
TITLE: Senior Planner II
GRADE: 8 STATUS: EXEMPT
SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Zoning and in collaboration with planning team members, the Senior Planner II will conduct, manage, and lead multiple regulatory planning initiatives to create, modify, and utilize zoning to achieve the City’s and communities’ goals. Develop or direct a team to prepare and draft zoning article text and map amendments with supporting documents.
As is essential to any planning or zoning effort, the Planner will engage the community, other constituencies, and public agency departments to solicit input and feedback for recommendations on the above referenced tasks. This includes maintaining community relationships and advising City staff and the public regarding zoning and related land use issues.
GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
General duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below
Convey and interpret information about current zoning regulations to community members and help advance planning goals, achieve community consensus, and resolve issues.
Lead zoning and land use related planning and community engagement processes, including daytime, evening, and weekend public meetings. Guide the creation of supporting materials for specific initiatives.
Lead and conduct comprehensive and strategic zoning, land use and regulatory reform analyses for citywide and community-specific planning projects and special planning districts. Direct planning staff in completing zoning-related planning work.
Conduct planning and urban design technical analyses, including analysis of case data, mapping, and zoning test fits. Oversee the work of other staff contributing to analysis.
Draft new zoning, vet proposed text and map amendments with internal and external stakeholders, and prepare rezoning documents to be submitted to the BPDA Board and Zoning Commission for approval. Coordinate and create presentation material to explain zoning recommendations and evaluate the impacts of proposed changes.
Manage consultant selection team and subsequent consultant work and budgets for planning and zoning initiatives. This includes overseeing pre-planning activities such as drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for consultant services. Oversee consultant contract services.
Research, formulate, and draft staff recommendations for the Zoning Board of Appeal regarding zoning appeal cases and zoning variances based on pertinent planning issues.
Provide regular updates on workflow and progress on assigned projects to the Deputy Director for Zoning.
Advise City staff and the public regarding zoning and related land use issues.
Prepare briefings for senior Agency staff or City officials.
Assist in training, guiding and supervising staff and interns.
QUALIFICATIONS
Work requires completion of a Masters’ degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field; Juris Doctor or paralegal certification; and a minimum of 8 years of experience in zoning or land use planning. Candidates holding a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or closely related field with a minimum of 10 years of work experience in zoning and/or land use may also apply. Prior experience conducting and managing a land use or zoning process is required. Work requires the ability to solve land use and zoning problems; to analyze and interpret planning issues; and to effectively manage the contributions of other staff to a planning or zoning initiative. Strong written and verbal communication and project management skills are an essential requirement; strong computer graphic skills are desired. Full command of Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs is required. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Geographic Informational Systems (GIS) to design and assemble graphically compelling (clear) presentations and/or experience drafting zoning text amendments is highly desirable.
Please submit cover letter and work sample displaying experience with land use planning, zoning, and/or legal research as well as written and graphic communication. Work samples should be combined as a single PDF with the applicant’s cover letter.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Normal office environment
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Little or no exertion
SCOPE:
Not applicable
*BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT*