Comprehensive Planner I

boston planning & development agency

**BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF START DATE**

TITLE: Comprehensive Planner I

GRADE: 5 STATUS: EXEMPT

OVERVIEW:

The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) is the planning and economic development agency for the City of Boston. The BPDA plays a far-reaching role in shaping the city. We are a self-sustaining agency and our love for Boston inspires us to make our city an even better place to live, work, and connect. The Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA) is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff with diverse experiences while continuing to work to build and sustain an equitable and inclusive work environment, where cultural diversity is celebrated and valued. We believe every member on our team enriches our agency and allows us to see a broad range of ways to understand and engage with our city, identify challenges, and discover, design, and deliver solutions

SUMMARY OF RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Deputy Director for Comprehensive Planning and in collaboration with planning team members, the Planner I will assist with conducting and participating in multiple comprehensive planning initiatives to create, modify, and utilize zoning to achieve the City’s and communities’ goals. The Planner I will be responsible for supporting long range citywide planning efforts involving interdepartmental coordination and assessment of implementation pathways.

As is essential to any planning 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 planning issues.

*The general duties and responsibilities of the positions are included in but not limited to the information listed below*

• As part of planning efforts: consult with other Agency staff, developers and community representatives to hear concerns and solicit input; schedule meetings; participate in committees and task forces; coordinate prompt and comprehensive exchange of information; ensure ample and equitable opportunity for exchange of views; facilitate negotiations to achieve consensus
• Participate in planning and community engagement processes, including daytime and evening public meetings. Guide the creation of supporting materials for specific initiatives.
• Assist in developing, managing, and conducting comprehensive analyses for citywide and community-specific planning projects and special planning districts.
• Assist in consultant selection team and subsequent management of consultant work and budgets for planning and zoning initiatives. Assistance includes pre-planning activities such as drafting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for consultant services. Oversee consultant contract services.
• Provide regular updates on workflow and progress on assigned projects to the Deputy Director for Comprehensive Planning.
• Prepare briefings for senior Agency staff or City officials. Advise City staff and the public regarding planning issues.
• Assist in training, guiding and supervising interns.

QUALIFICATIONS

Work requires the completion of a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field. Candidates holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies or a closely related field with a minimum of 2-3 years of experience as a planner may also apply. Prior experience in conducting or actively participating in a planning process is highly desirable. Work requires the ability to analyze and interpret planning issues; to communicate clearly in written, verbal, and graphic form. Full command of Microsoft Office and Google Suite programs is required. Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to design and assemble graphically compelling (clear) presentations and/or experience drafting zoning text amendments is highly desirable.

Please submit a cover letter and work sample displaying experience with land use planning, zoning, and/or legal research 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 WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF START DATE**