Planner

City of Somerville•Somerville, MA

4d•$75,000

About The Position

Duties include permit process administration; advising the permitting Boards and Commissions; serving as a principal planner and coordinator to one of the Boards or Commissions staffed by the Division; providing professional and technical planning services, including research, analysis, and communication concerning land use, historic preservation, and community planning; and participation in long-range planning and zoning ordinance projects. Employee is required to perform all similar or related duties. Essential Functions: The essential responsibilities listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various type of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position. (Note: not all responsibilities are performed by all incumbents in each division).

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in planning or related field and three (3) years’ experience; 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.
Knowledge of planning, zoning, preservation, urban design, economic development, transportation, and infrastructure is required.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with state and federal agencies, architects, contractors, developers, owners, supervisors, employees, and the general public.
Skill in facilitating and public presentations is required.
Skill in writing, including grammatical and technical accuracy, is required.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Planning or AICP accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintains records of each permit application, including email correspondence and meeting notes.
Coordinates with applicants through each step of the permitting process.
Reviews permit application materials to assess development impacts and necessary mitigation.
Coordinates all interdepartmental feedback concerning permit applications.
Prepares advisory staff memos to Boards and Commissions for each permit application.
Prepares written decisions of the Boards and Commissions.
Manages meeting proceedings for Boards and Commissions.
Schedules public hearings, design reviews, and other business for Boards and Commissions.
Prepares meeting notices, agendas, and cancellation notices for Boards and Commissions.
Serves as the point of contact for all assigned Board and Commission communications.
Provides training to Board and Commission members concerning meeting and permitting process procedures and responsibilities.
Negotiates historic agreements with property owners or developers under demolition delay.
Collaborates with hired consultants, city staff, and community stakeholders.
Collaborates with the Division’s Community Outreach Coordinator for all project public engagement.
Conducts research, analysis, and produces written and graphical content for long-range planning, zoning ordinance, and other City projects.
Assist in the onboarding and training of new staff.

Benefits

4 weeks annual vacation for non-union positions.
Medical insurance through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) - 80% of premium costs paid by City
Dental coverage low and high plans through Cigna
Vision care through Vision Service Plan (VSP)
Long term disability through Sun Life Group and voluntary life insurance through Boston Mutual
Health Care and Dependent Care flexible spending through Benefit Strategies
Deferred compensation plans through a choice of three vendors
Free, confidential services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provided by E4Health
Annual cancer screening & wellness release
Somerville Retirement Pension System
Tuition reimbursement
MBTA pass program
FREE Blue Bikes membership
Eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)