Associate Zoning Planner

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Encompassing the Economic Opportunity and Development, Housing, Community Planning, Zoning & Development, and Environmental & Transportation Planning, CDD's mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD engages and collaborates with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
This Associate Planner position is within the Division of Zoning and Development (Z&D) of CDD. You should be a self-motivated professional with a strong interest in zoning and land use regulation who want to develop your knowledge and skills in a busy planning office that works on a wide range of urban development issues. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to equity and respect, both in the provision of services and in the workplace More information about Z&D is available on the Division's webpage at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Under the supervision of the Senior Manager for Zoning and Development, the Associate Zoning Planner will support the work of Z&D in the following ways:
Studying zoning changes that will advance Cambridge's planning and policy goals
Reviewing proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance, and advising the City Council and Planning Board
Coordinating the review of major urban development projects, working with staff in other program areas like urban design and transportation
Staffing the Planning Board and other committees
Supporting Cambridge's long-range planning initiatives
Collaborating on zoning initiatives with City staff and stakeholders from diverse backgrounds
Advising other City departments on matters related to zoning and development
Educating and informing the public, including residents, property owners, businesses, developers, and design professionals, about zoning
Additional responsibilities based on the needs of the division, department, or City
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Experience:
Bachelor's degree in urban planning, real estate, architecture, landscape architecture, historic preservation, public administration, or related field AND four (4) years of relevant work experience. A Master's degree in one of the above fields may substitute for up to two (2) years of required experience.
Experience in collaborative, team-based project work, both in leading and supporting roles
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Detailed understanding of zoning codes or similar land use regulations, based on professional and/or volunteer experience or advanced coursework involving their direct study and/or use
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
Computer Proficiency: General office applications (Microsoft Office suite) and ability to learn more advanced applications
Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies
Ability to communicate with people from all backgrounds in a courteous, compassionate, and professional manner
Ability to prioritize workloads, multitask and meet deadlines while working with a broad range of individuals in a fast-paced environment
The City of Cambridge's workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse.?? Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Genuine motivation to apply zoning and land use regulations to current challenges in urban development
Understanding of planning and urban development issues relevant to Cambridge, including social and environmental justice, housing affordability, and climate change
Direct experience in developing and/or analyzing proposed zoning ordinances or by-laws in a professional or academic context
Ability to break down complex technical problems, then propose detailed and practical solutions
Experience with codes, guidelines, and/or practices related to sustainable and equitable urban development
Lived experience in a dense, diverse, walkable urban realm with similar characteristics and challenges as those in the City of Cambridge
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is primarily indoors in a professional office setting, although some work may be at other indoor or outdoor locations in Cambridge. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's new Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work involves meetings that sometimes require traveling to and through the City to meeting and project locations. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals to perform essential work functions comfortably.
HOURS PER WEEK: 37.50 per week. Monday 8:30am-8:00pm, Tuesday-Thursday 8:30am-5:00pm, Friday 8:30pm-12:00pm. Work also involves frequent evening meetings, such as Planning Board meetings on Tuesdays 6:30pm to roughly 9:30pm. Flexible scheduling and compensatory time off are available for work responsibilities outside of normal work hours.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS: Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance; Vacation and Sick leave eligible; Sick Incentive Pay Eligible; 3 Personal days; 14 Paid Holidays; Management Allowance, $2,700/year; City employee transportation benefits (T-Pass reimbursement Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle)
RATE: $65,191 - $92,048 annually + excellent benefits (rate is effective 1/1/23)
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Internal applicants submit a job bidding form and 2 copies of both your resume and cover letter; external applicants submit your resume and cover letter via email to employment@cambridgema.gov or to the Personnel Dept, Room 309, City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge MA 02139. Fax 617-349-4312. Resume and cover letter requested by 11/10/22. Position will remain open until filled.
All applicants: In cover letter, explain why you are interested in this specific position. In addition, provide a written sample or excerpt from a work product (professional, academic, or volunteer related) on a topic related to zoning, no more than four pages (including any charts, images, or diagrams), with a brief introduction explaining why the material was prepared and your role in its preparation.
THE CITY OF CAMBRIDGE IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER AND DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOR, SEX, RELIGION, AGE, NATIONAL ORIGIN, DISABILITY OR ANY OTHER PROTECTED CATEGORY. WOMEN, MINORITIES, VETERANS, MEMBERS OF THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. CITY OF CAMBRIDGE RESIDENTS ARE ESPECIALLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY. AUXILIARY AIDS AND SERVICES, WRITTEN MATERIALS IN ALTERNATIVE FORMATS, AND REASONABLE MODIFICATIONS IN POLICIES AND PROCEDURES WILL BE PROVIDED TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES FREE OF CHARGE, UPON REQUEST. The City is committed to advancing a workforce culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
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