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Senior Housing and Land Use Planner

Metropolitan Area Planning Council
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The Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) seeks candidates for the position of Senior Housing and Land Use Planner to join the agency’s Housing Division within the Land Use Department. The ideal candidate has a passion for housing as a tool to advance equity and create great places. This Senior Planner will work both independently and collaboratively to expand housing choice, opportunity, and stability in the Metro Boston region through municipal housing plans, zoning initiatives, site-level re/development processes, strategic plans for regional or local entities, and efforts to develop or improve local, state, and federal policies that will advance the housing components of Greater Boston’s regional land use and policy plan, MetroCommon 2050. They will oversee project teams comprising other Land Use planners and staff from other MAPC departments. The Senior Planner will report to the Manager of Housing and Neighborhood Development.

 

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are to promote sustainable development, regional collaboration, climate mitigation and resilience, and equity across the region. We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 110 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 

 

RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Work independently and manage project teams to develop municipal housing production plans; housing elements of comprehensive plans; strategic plans for local housing-related committees, trusts, and other entities; equitable transit-oriented development plans (including housing under the MBTA Communities state housing program); and fair housing plans;
  • Draft zoning, permitting procedures, and design guidelines to create more and better housing or mixed-use development, with a particular emphasis on Affordable Housing;
  • Assist communities in leveraging public and private resources effectively to create and preserve housing for people of various incomes and household types, such as developing inclusionary zoning strategies; conducting data-driven pre-development and housing market analyses; auditing local tools; facilitating housing re/development through the procurement process (RFI, RFQ, RFP); and pursuing initiatives such as Regional Housing Services, Offices of Housing Stability, and Affordable Housing Trusts;
  • Employ robust research and analytical skills to effectively prepare reports, studies, and presentations on best practices pertaining to housing, housing market trends, public policies and programs, housing impacts, development barriers, etc;
  • Lead research activities to advance housing policies at the local, regional, and state level, under guidance from the Housing Manager and Government Affairs;
  • Design, organize, and facilitate public engagement events and activities, including digital and in-person formats, with an emphasis on engaging groups that have been previously excluded from public planning and decision-making
  • Lead housing communications campaigns to raise awareness, educate the public, and build support for housing initiatives;
  • Provide mentorship to staff assigned to projects to ensure more junior staff can both effectively carry out project work and can learn from senior staff;
  • Remain informed about current and emerging housing issues, resources, policies, and programs and
  • Other activities consistent with accomplishing MAPC’s mission and the regional 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 Master’s degree in urban/regional planning, real estate development, public policy/management, urban design/architecture, or a closely related field and at least 4 years of relevant job experience, OR aBachelor’s degree plus 6 years of relevant job experience.

 

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

  • Experience leading and managing housing planning and zoning projects;
  • Experience providing planning and zoning assistance to local government partners;
  • Knowledge of municipal governance structures;
  • Strong commitment to equity and justice;
  • Knowledge and understanding of current best practices related to housing planning; residential zoning and permitting; and federal, state, and local policy and programming. Understanding of MA-specific housing laws such as M.G.L. Chapter 40A, 40B, 40R, 40Y, the Community Preservation Act, Fair Housing laws, HOME, and CDBG are all encouraged but not required;
  • Strong research skills and ability to work with large quantitative and qualitative data sets to discern trends in demography, real estate, etc;
  • Understanding of Affordable Housing finance and development and the state’s capital sources for Affordable Housing production;
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication, facilitation, engagement and collaboration skills with a wide range of internal and external audiences, including the ability to achieve consensus and resolve disputes;
  • Ability to use GIS, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, or other software to create visually appealing communications materials, including presentations, boards, and handouts and
  • Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting to manage projects and competing priorities, including collaborating on project work, delegating, managing budgets, ensuring quality control, and following through on assigned tasks. 

 

NOTE: Interested applicants who meet most but not all qualifications are encouraged to apply.

 

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees including remote employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including up to date boosters.  MAPC will consider reasonable extensions or accommodations as required by law.

 

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION 

Compensation and Benefits: 

The salary ranges from $78,000 - $88,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued 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.