Senior Economic Development Planner

The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Senior Economic Development Planner, who will work on a wide variety of local and regional projects to advance sustainable and equitable economic development, covering such topics as workforce development, commercial and industrial real estate development, and job creation and retention. This includes helping cities and towns to develop plans, zoning, and other policies to facilitate economic development. The planner will also play a key role in advancing partnerships with workforce development providers to increase equitable access to employment opportunities for the residents of Metro Boston.
The planner will also help to evaluate and recommend improvements in state laws, regulations, policies, and programs consistent with the values described in MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together, the regional land use and policy plan.

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development and preservation, advancing equity in the region, collaboration across municipal lines, and developing a climate-friendly and resilient region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 120 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.  

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon2050, please visit www.mapc.org

About the Department:

The Land Use Department comprises three divisions: Economic Development, Housing, and General Land Use Planning. Together, the Department advances sustainable and equitable development, economic resilience, economic opportunity, and healthy, complete neighborhoods. This work occurs through local technical assistance projects, regional projects that highlight trends and best practices, local capacity building, and policy advocacy to reform state and local laws, regulations, and programs. The Department includes nearly twenty professional planners who are committed to advancing racial equity and sustainable land use through planning, policy development, and community engagement. The Senior Economic Development Planner reports to the Chief of Economic Development; the position provides an opportunity to shape the strategic direction for economic development and land use policies within local communities and across Greater Boston. Further information is available here.

Responsibilities (including but not limited to)

• Lead and participate in multiple, concurrent large, complex economic development projects, often working together with a team, that may include, but are not limited to:
  • Municipal plans, policies, zoning, permitting procedures, and programs to achieve economic development that is sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient;
  • Municipal, local and regional workforce development strategies, with a focus on quality employment, living wage career pathways, financial inclusion, and wealth creation for lower income individuals;
  • Market and feasibility analyses to understand the potential for new commercial, industrial, retail, and mixed-use development;
• Support implementation of MAPC’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS);
• Assist municipal and institutional partners to conceptualize and initiate industry-specific workforce development programs; research local and national labor market trends to launch or reorient workforce programs to respond to growing labor market demand in specific sectors;
• Help build the capacity of local stakeholders – including local governments, chambers of commerce, and businesses – to pursue such opportunities where they will advance sustainable, equitable, and climate-resilient activities;
• Participate in developing and implementing interdisciplinary projects to advance equitable economic development, through partnerships with other MAPC divisions and departments (e.g., Housing, Arts & Culture, and Public Health), as well as state agencies and external advocates and stakeholders;
• Develop new ideas and concepts in response to a changing context and to increase the relevance, impact, and sustainability of MAPC’s planning and policy work, innovating and developing actionable concepts that take into account the region’s opportunities and challenges;
• When necessary for projects, oversee and guide the work conducted by other planning and engagement staff;
• Speak in public about MAPC programs and its economic development efforts; and 
• Conduct other activities as assigned to assist in the implementation of our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together and the agency strategic plan.

Evening events, occasional weekend events, and local travel are a responsibility for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership. 

Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have either a Bachelor's degree with a major in planning, public policy/administration, economic development, or a closely related field and at least 6 years of relevant job experience; OR a Master's degree in one of these fields plus at least 4 years of relevant professional experience.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with community groups, government officials, business organizations and other key stakeholders, including local elected and appointed officials; 
• Experience providing professional planning and/or economic development assistance to local governments; 
• Strong relationship management skills, including cultivating and maintaining productive and effective relationships externally and internally with the ability to effectively manage committees and coordinate diverse stakeholders; 
• Knowledge of key practices in workforce development, including building of strategic partnerships to address employers’ workforce needs and bolster the region’s competitiveness; 
• Knowledge and understanding of how particular approaches including on-the-job training, job shadowing, sector-based training and placement, and apprenticeship pathways connect to and extend the impact of workforce development models;
• Knowledge and understanding of real estate dynamics, and an ability to evaluate commercial and industrial sites, initiatives, and projects; 
• Knowledge and understanding of workforce development strategies, as these relate to the distinct needs and opportunities of specific populations, including disability communities, immigrants, returning, formerly incarcerated citizens, BIPOC, and other populations, with a particular emphasis on lower-income individuals; (experience with specific strategies related to living wages and quality employment a plus);
• Strong research, writing, and communication skills and the ability to gather, analyze, and track data trends and labor market statistics to inform effective program designs – the ability to use GIS is a plus; and 
• Ability to advocate for sustainable land use practices and greater equity throughout Metro Boston, especially in housing, employment, and other issues. 

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a related field;
• AICP certification.

Compensation and Benefits:

The Senior Economic Development Planner salary ranges from $79,000 – $89,000, depending on qualifications and experience. Master's Degree, AICP Certification, and additional experience are a plus for the high end of the salary range. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits, a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment, and a commitment to professional development. 

How to Apply: 

Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver's license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States.

MAPC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our Equity at MAPC page.