PLANNING ASSISTANT - RESILIENCE AND WATERFRONT PLANNING

Summary:

boston planning & development agency

BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

TITLE: PLANNING ASSISTANT - RESILIENCE AND WATERFRONT PLANNING

GRADE: G STATUS: EXEMPT

DIVISION/DEPARTMENT: CLIMATE CHANGE & ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING

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.

Climate change is one of the greatest challenges and opportunities to face the City of Boston. Climate Change & Environmental Planning staff play an integral role in supporting the City's climate change and sustainable building priorities. Many of these objectives follow from Climate Ready Boston and the City's Resilient Boston Harbor Vision to protect neighborhoods from sea level rise through a system of elevated and accessible waterfront open spaces, as well as the City's Climate Action Plan and Carbon Neutral 2050 goal. Staff are directly involved with: waterfront and port planning projects related to the state's Public Tidelands Act M.G.L Chapter 91; promoting sustainable and resilient buildings through Zoning Article 37, Article 25A and the Article 80development project review process; and, developing climate preparedness and carbon neutral policies.

SUMMARY:

Under the direction of the Deputy Director for Climate Change and Environmental Planning (CCEP), assist with planning throughout the City of Boston with an emphasis on initiatives related to climate resilience and the waterfront; conduct planning, urban design, climate resilience, environmental regulation and zoning research and studies; engage community and other constituencies to solicit input and feedback; assist in the management of grant funded projects; oversee compliance tracking with waterfront permits and planning.

GENERAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

General duties and responsibilities of the position are included in but not limited to the information listed below

Provide assistance to senior planning staff with planning and zoning initiatives for specific city neighborhoods throughout the City of Boston and BPDA/EDIC managed assets with an emphasis on initiatives related to climate resilience and the waterfront, as assigned. Meet with representatives of various city and state agencies, community or civic groups, environmental advocacy organizations, business/commercial organizations and other involved parties to solicit input regarding needs and concerns.

Organize and staff community meetings and committee activities and assignments for specific projects during both day and evening hours. Follow through with community and committee involvement; present information; negotiate to achieve consensus while promoting Agency position on various issues. Prepare written summary reports documenting all community and committee activities. Maintain current knowledge of neighborhood issues and concerns.

Track compliance of Municipal Harbor Planning and M.G.L. Chapter 91 planning objectives and requirements including Boston's Harbor walk.

Assist with day to day compliance related to waterfront public realm, including responding to 311 calls, as well as activation initiatives. Assist in coordination with waterfront activation operations boards, and waterfront stakeholders with grant disbursements, and water transportation planning efforts.

Assist with the administration of state and local environmental and climate resilience regulatory and policy objectives related to Boston and its waterfront neighborhoods.

Review Chapter 91 license applications; provide written comments as needed. Attend public hearings and other community meetings related to waterfront planning.

Assist with waterfront planning projects and provide input on projects reviewed under Article 80 that are located on tidelands on property owned by the BPDA's Real Estate Division.

Assist in developing objectives and scope of planning and urban design of city initiated projects. Develop and execute appropriate studies and surveys. Research, prepare and submit planning and urban design options.

Prepare analytical studies, written and graphic representations of planning, and zoning and urban design problems for Agency and City officials.

Provide project assistance in grant funded initiatives.

Assist with the development and management of grant applications and grant funded projects related to resilience and the waterfront.

Coordinate with other City, State and Federal agencies.

Assist with record keeping and database management.

Respond to public inquiries promptly and accurately.

Track and update the division's webpage and social media related to planning initiatives.

Perform other related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Work requires completion of a Bachelor's Degree in Urban Planning or related field plus 1-3 years of experience with a preference for work experience in planning, climate resilience, economic development and physical development projects. Must exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills. Qualified candidate must have great analytic and organizational abilities. Relationship building skills with city departments, state and federal agencies, and business community and neighborhood groups are essential. Full command of Microsoft Office programs, including but not limited to Word, PowerPoint and Excel, is essential.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Normal office environment

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Little or no exertion.

SCOPE:

Not Applicable

BOSTON RESIDENCY IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT