Assistant Planner

Shrewsbury Ma; Shrewsbury (MA); On-site; USD 66,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Public pension

Paid time off

Professional development

Employee Assistance Program

Paid Family & Medical Leave

Job summary

The Town of Shrewsbury is seeking a motivated Assistant Planner to join the Planning & Economic Development Department. You will work closely with the Director and other staff to drive master planning, zoning and land-use initiatives.

Responsibilities include outreach, plan reviews, and coordination with boards, ensuring adherence to approvals and providing data-driven, community-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in planning, geography, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field preferred.
• 1–3 years of municipal or planning consulting experience.
• Strong collaboration with boards, staff and the community.

Responsibilities

• Assist with community outreach initiatives and comprehensive master plan development.
• Prepare and track legal notices, advertisements, and submissions.
• Coordinate input from Town departments and external consultants for plan reviews.
• Facilitate public engagement through meetings, charrettes, and presentations.
• Provide staff support to land use boards and committees and document outcomes.
• Review building permits tied to land-use decisions and ensure compliance with approvals.

Skills

Community outreach

Grant research

Public engagement

Education

Master’s degree in planning or related field

Tools

Town permitting system

Job description

Job Opportunities

Welcome to our job posting board! Any positions available with the Town of Shrewsbury will be posted here for reference. You can subscribe to job posting notifications to be automatically alerted to our latest career opportunities by clicking on the NotityMe button.

In the Town of Shrewsbury, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are the cornerstones of a vibrant and forward-thinking community. We are committed to fostering a workplace where every individual feels valued, respected, and empowered to bring their full, authentic selves to work each day. Our goal is to create an environment where diverse perspectives drive creativity, growth, and innovation, enriching both our organization and the community we serve.

We proudly provide equal employment opportunities to all, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds and are dedicated to cultivating an inclusive culture that celebrates differences and champions equality.

Join us, and help us build a future that embraces everyone.

PLEASE NOTE: The Town of Shrewsbury does not have an electronic job application process (per se). We do allow applicants to download our job descriptions, and email their resumes for open and active positions ONLY. Interested applicants are NOT ENCOURAGED to submit unsolicited resumes. At this time the only permissible formats for resumes are .PDF, .DOC, and .DOCX.

Hiring Range: $66,004.06 - $69,784.00 Annually (DOQ)

Department & Supervisor: Planning & Economic Development Director

Summary

The Town of Shrewsbury is seeking a motivated Assistant Planner to join our dedicated, highly collaborative Planning and Economic Development department. Working alongside our Director, Assistant Director, co-Assistant Planner, and Administrative Assistant, you will play a central role in driving high-visibility municipal initiatives, including Comprehensive Master Planning, Multi-Use Trail expansions, Complete Streets projects, and more.

This position offers the perfect blend of technical land-use management, creative project leadership, and career growth. You will contribute to initiatives involving transportation, land use, housing, economic development, and project management. Serving as a crucial liaison to key boards such as the Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Affordable Housing Trust, and Community Preservation Committee, you will guide applicants, facilitate public engagement, and help shape sustainable policy. The Planning & Economic Development Department offers an environment where you can sharpen your technical skills, grow as a municipal leader, and actively shape the future of Shrewsbury.

What You’ll Do:

Assist with community outreach initiatives, comprehensive master plan development, open space and recreation planning, drafting and revising bylaws and zoning amendments, conducting economic development research, and identifying, applying for, and administering grant opportunities.

Maintain accurate records of active and past projects, prepare and track legal notices and advertisements, assist applicants with completing submissions, and ensure compliance with conditions of approval.

Facilitate plan reviews by coordinating input from Town departments, including the Engineering Division, Conservation Commission, Building Inspector, and external consultants. Assist with community outreach and engagement strategies including in person presentations, charrettes and social media postings.

Serve as a resource for residents, landowners, and developers, providing guidance on permitting and economic development matters via phone, email, and in person. Help facilitate public discussion on critical local projects.

Provide comprehensive staff support to land use boards and committees, including preparing meeting agendas and materials, documenting outcomes, and ensuring follow-up. Help facilitate local decision making processes and develop data driven solutions based on community input.

Review and approve building permits tied to land use decisions using the Town’s permitting system. Ensure projects align with local conditions of approval and help guide the development process through implementation.

Qualifications:

Master’s degree in planning, geography, landscape architecture, public administration, or related field preferred, with 1 - 3 years of experience in municipal or consulting planning, or any equivalent combination of education and experience.

The Assistant Planner works in a very collaborative team environment from a shared office space at Shrewsbury Town Hall with the staff from both the Planning & Building Inspection departments. Standard work hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM; Tuesday from 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM; and Friday from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The Assistant Planner may attend board and committee meetings as well as community events regarding new developments and is paid for this time through a stipend (and overtime if the meeting runs long).

The Town of Shrewsbury offers a comprehensive benefits package featuring health insurance, a public pension system, generous paid time off (vacation and sick leave), professional development opportunities, and an extensive Employee Assistance Program. Additionally, Shrewsbury is one of the first municipalities in the Commonwealth to provide Paid Family & Medical Leave.

The position is open until filled. The initial review of applicants will begin on September 14, 2026.