Senior Planner

City of Everett; Everett (MA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Everett is seeking a Senior Planner to shape development through land use permitting, housing policy and long-range planning. The role supports the CDBG program under the Director of Planning & Community Development.

Key duties include staff support to Planning Board & ZBA, plan reviews, board presentations, and ensuring compliance while engaging the public and partner agencies to advance Everett's planning initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5–7 years’ land use planning or related experience.
• Advanced knowledge of planning disciplines and writing.
• Ability to analyze complex issues and develop plans.

Responsibilities

• Staff support to Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals.
• Review applications for completeness and prepare staff reports.
• Present information to boards and provide recommendations.
• Monitor compliance with approved plans and conditions.
• Assist with developing, implementing, and monitoring the CDBG program.
• Engage with the public and outside agencies to support planning initiatives.

Skills

Planning knowledge

Communication skills

Public outreach

Project management

Multilingual

Education

Bachelor's degree in planning or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

MS Office

GIS

Database management

Job description

Payrate: $80,000 – $90,000 annual

Hours: 35 hours/week

Shift: City Hall standard day schedule Monday – Thursday, with either Monday or Thursday 8:00am – 7:30pm

About The City Of Everett

Home to more than 50,000 residents, Everett is known for its rich culture, diverse population, and robust sense of community. Everett is proud to build on its strong industrial heritage and close neighborhood connections as a modern, vibrant and welcoming place for residents, businesses, and visitors alike. This is a city full of energy, character and community that is on the move and seeking employees that are innovative and dedicated to serving a diverse and engaged public constituency.

About The Role

Assists in shaping the future of development in Everett by providing professional and technical expertise in land use permitting (e.g., master plans, special permits, site plan reviews, variances, subdivisions, etc.), housing policy and inclusionary zoning, zoning compliance, historic preservation, and long-range planning for the City. Assists with development, implementation, and monitoring of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The Senior Planner works under the direction of the Director of Planning & Community Development.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Serves as staff support to assigned permitting boards including, but not limited to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
• Reviews applications and plans for completeness, performs site investigations, receives input from City departments and community members, prepares staff reports to assigned boards with formal recommendations and recommended conditions of approval
• Presents information to the Director of Planning & Development for cases set to appear before the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Appeals
• Monitors and ensures compliance with approved plans and conditions of approval after board action
• Makes recommendations on process improvements including improving information sharing with applicants and community members
• Assists the Building Department with ensuring zoning compliance
• Works with the Director of Planning & Development to prepare, implement, and monitor the City’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program
• Participates in efforts to enhance the recognition and preservation of historic buildings and spaces in Everett
• Provides information to the public regarding City ordinance, state laws, and applicable regulations
• Collaborates on presentations for various city, regional, state, and federal agencies
• Attends meetings and serves as a resource to other City departments, divisions, the general public, community groups, and outside agencies related to planning and permitting in the field, over the counter, and on the telephone.
• Manages the public process dealing with planning initiatives
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Minimum Entrance Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in planning, engineering, architecture or similar field, and 5-7 years’ experience in land use planning or related field; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Masters’ degree preferred.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

Knowledge

Advanced knowledge of the philosophies, principals, practices & techniques of planning.

Well-developed knowledge of one or more planning disciplines, such as land use planning/zoning, transportation planning, environmental planning, urban design, housing, historic preservation or economic development. Knowledge of principles, methodology, practices of research and data collection. Knowledge of effective writing techniques.

Knowledge of computer programs and applications used in an office setting, which may include Microsoft Office, Internet applications econometric or transportation modeling, and database management. Knowledge of GIS programs and applications is a plus.

Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills for preparing and presenting planning reports and projects. Excellent interpersonal skills for facilitating relationships with elected/appointed officials or other decision-makers. Creative problem-solving skills to gather relevant information to solve less well- defined planning problems. Group facilitation skills for use with community workshops. Ability to work on several projects or issues simultaneously. Ability to manage projects effectively and meet firm deadlines. Ability to facilitate in-person and virtual public participation activities. Multi-lingual skills in Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian-Creole a plus.

Abilities

Ability to analyze complex technical issues and to develop relevant and realistic plans, programs, and recommendations. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with department staff, other municipal departments, organizations, and contractors. Ability to adhere to policies and procedures. communicate in-person, via phone, email and in writing and make impartial decisions. Ability to explain complex information in a manner that can be understood by all.

Physical Demand & Working Environment

• Work effort principally involves sitting to perform work tasks, with intermittent periods of movement. Work will require some agility and physical strength, such as moving in or about construction sites or over rough terrain. Employee may occasionally lift or move office products and supplies, up to 20 pounds.
• Job duties require minimal motor skills for activities such as moving objects, operating a personal computer and/or most other office equipment, typing and/or word processing, filing, sorting of papers.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Resume must be submitted to [e-mail] Cover letter is optional.

Aids and services will be provided to qualified applicants with disabilities free of charge, upon request. For a reasonable accommodation and/or alternative application modification, call Human Resources at 617-389-2280.

The City of Everett is an Equal Opportunity / Aff…? Women, people of color, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.