Community Assistance Planner

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 119,000; Full time

Job summary

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is seeking a Community Assistance Planner (Regional Planner III) in the Livable Communities Division to oversee zoning and local tax exemption programs and support municipal housing initiatives.

You will collaborate with towns, developers, and state agencies, review project documentation, and provide guidance on housing production, urban renewal, and related land-use programs, with a hybrid work schedule.

Qualifications

• At least four years of full-time (or equivalent) experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning.
• At least two years must be in a professional capacity or equivalent experience.
• Bachelor's degree may substitute two years of experience; graduate degree may substitute up to three years.
• Current Massachusetts Class D driver's license may be required.

Responsibilities

• Administer the zoning and local tax exemption components of the Housing Development Incentive Program, including review and TIE-related work.
• Administer the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Program, including review, processing, and technical assistance.
• Administer the 121A Urban Redevelopment Corporations Program (URC) with research, coordination, and support for project approvals.
• Provide backup for Chapter 40B, Housing Production Plans, 40R/Smart Growth, and 40Y/Starter Homes, including review and guidance.
• Review planning documentation and help identify and resolve housing, zoning, land use, or municipal planning challenges.
• Prepare guidance, presentations, and materials to aid staff, municipalities, and the public.

Skills

Strong writing

Strong verbal comms

Coordination across teams

Explain technical info

Time management

Policy analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in urban planning

Graduate degree in urban planning or related

Tools

Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Outlook

Job description

An Official website of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Job Description - Community Assistance Planner (260006W8)

Job Description

Community Assistance Planner - ( 260006W8 )

Description

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) is seeking a Community Assistance Planner (Regional Planner III) in the Community Assistance Unit of the Livable Communities Division.

AGENCY MISSION

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is responsible for building more homes and lowering housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders.

The Community Assistance Planner works in HLC’s Community Assistance Unit, which helps cities and towns with housing, zoning, land use, and community development programs.

This position administers several programs, including HDIP zoning and local tax exemption work, UCH-TIF, and 121A. The role also provides active backup support for Chapter 40B and Housing Production Plans, Chapter 40R/Smart Growth, and Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, with occasional support for Urban Renewal, the Bureau of Relocation, and other land use programs.

The Community Assistance Planner uses professional judgment to review program-related documentation and submissions, identify and help address program and implementation issues, prepare guidance and correspondence, and collaborate with municipalities, developers, regional planning agencies, state agencies, HLC staff, and other stakeholders to support housing and community development across the Commonwealth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE)

1. Program Administration

• Administer the zoning and local tax exemption components of the Housing Development Incentive Program, including application review, Tax Increment Exemption (TIE)-related work, coordination with legal and Housing Development staff, program records, and technical assistance.
• Administer the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Program, including application review and processing, coordination with legal staff, program records, and technical assistance to communities and developers.
• Administer the 121A Urban Redevelopment Corporations Program (URC), including research and review of project-specific materials, coordination with municipalities, developers, legal staff, and other partners, and support for the approval and implementation of 121A projects.

2. Program Backup and Support

• Provide active backup to lead program staff for Chapter 40B and Housing Production Plans, including but not limited to, document review, HPP and certification work, responding to Safe Harbor questions, and technical assistance to cities and towns.
• Provide active backup to lead program staff for Chapter 40R/Smart Growth and Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, including but not limited to, review of affirmative fair housing marketing plans and other program documents, zoning-related review, and technical assistance.
• Provide occasional support for Urban Renewal, the Bureau of Relocation, and other land use programs as assigned, including but not limited to, document review, responding to inquiries, correspondence, technical assistance, and coordination with lead program staff.

3. Planning and Technical Assistance

• Review program-related documentation and materials involving housing, zoning, land use, housing production, or municipal planning, and help identify and resolve program or implementation challenges.
• Prepare and update guidance, presentations, website content, records, and other materials that help staff, municipalities, and the public understand the programs.
• Answer questions from municipal officials, regional planning agencies, developers, consultants, state agencies, HLC staff, and other stakeholders.
• Help communities and partners understand housing, zoning, land use, community development, municipal planning, and growth management initiatives.
• Present information at meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences, and other public or stakeholder events.

4. Coordination and Additional Support

• Review grant applications when assigned to determine whether proposed projects meet stated criteria and objectives.
• Provide planning, zoning, land use, and housing program input to support policy discussions, program work, and guidance materials when requested.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in housing, land use, zoning, municipal planning, regional planning, community development, urban renewal, relocation, economic development, or a related field.
• Knowledge of state housing, land use, zoning, planning, community development, urban renewal, relocation, or municipal assistance programs.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following: Chapter 40B, Housing Production Plans, Chapter 40R/Smart Growth, Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, Chapter 121A, Urban Renewal, Bureau of Relocation, HDIP, UCH-TIF, or related state housing and land use programs.
• Ability to review plans, applications, reports, regulations, zoning materials, program documents, and other technical materials for consistency with laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and program requirements.
• Ability to explain technical information clearly to cities, towns, regional planning agencies, municipal staff, consultants, developers, public officials, HLC staff, and other stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating work across internal teams, external partners, municipalities, regional planning agencies, or multiple program areas.
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear recommendations, memoranda, guidance materials, reports, correspondence, and public-facing information.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, track deadlines, maintain accurate records, and work independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling policy, program, legal, stakeholder, or public questions.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related data or document management tools.

COMMENTS

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) four years of full-time, or equivalent part-time technical or professional experience in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, transportation planning or land use planning, and (B) of which at least two years must have been in a professional capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental sciences may be substituted for two years of the required (A) experience.*

II. A Graduate degree with a major in urban or regional planning, environmental planning, urban studies, architecture, landscape architecture, civil, environmental, or transportation engineering or environmental studies may be substituted for three years of the required (A) experience and one year of the required (B) experience.

*Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.

NOTE: Educational substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of three years of the required experience. Substitutions will only be permitted for a maximum of one year of the required (B) experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's License.

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC)may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Job

Planning

Agency

Exec Office of Housing and Livable Communities

Schedule

Full-time

Shift

Day

Job Posting

Oct 13, 2026, 1:30:53 PM

Number of Openings

1

Salary

81,059.16 - 118,661.14 Yearly

If you have Diversity, affirmative action or equal employment opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : Jessica Molina - 8572480160

Bargaining Unit : 09-MOSES - Engineers/Scientists

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : Yes