ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has three programmatic divisions - Economic Opportunity & Development, Community Planning & Design, and Zoning & Development – and also encompasses the Housing Department and the Arts Council. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.
The Zoning and Development Division is a team of urban planners performing work in the areas of land use planning and urban development. The division has a Director, a Senior Manager, two Project Planners, two Associate Planners, an Administrative Coordinator, and interns. Specific work areas include:
- Staffing and administering the Cambridge Planning Board
- Coordinating review of major urban development projects
- Providing professional support and advice to the Cambridge City Council and Planning Board in reviewing proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
- Advancing planning initiatives that result in recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
- Providing general information about zoning to residents, property owners, businesses, developers, design professionals, other City officials and departments, and others as needed
More information at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Reporting to the Senior Manager of Zoning and Development, the Zoning Project Planner is a mid-level position within the six-person Zoning and Development Division. The Project Planner will play an essential role by coordinating and leading zoning review procedures for a variety of project types, with a particular focus on sustainable development standards. Primary responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the application of sustainable development standards in Article 22 of the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance independently and in collaboration with other City staff. Current standards include requirements for Green Building, Green Roofs, Embodied Emissions, and Climate Resilience.
- Engaging with the Office of Sustainability, Department of Public Works, Inspectional Services Department, and other City departments to evaluate and improve existing sustainable development standards.
- Tracking and managing information related to sustainable development projects throughout the City; collect and report on data related to green building projects over time.
- Providing guidance and supervision to the Sustainable Development Intern.
- Providing information, guidance and technical assistance to the City Council, Planning Board, City staff, business owners, residents, and other stakeholders related to proposed amendments to the City’s sustainable development requirements and other zoning regulations.
- Overseeing the review of building projects from initiation through design, construction, and completion to ensure ongoing Compliance.
- Coordinating activities among City staff in other disciplines including specialists in urban design, transportation planning, environmental planning, civil engineering, housing, and historic preservation.
- Overseeing preparation, filing, and maintenance of required documentation at various stages of the development review process, including Planning Board special permits and certifications for building permits and certificates of occupancy.
- Providing review and certification to the Cambridge Inspectional Services Department (ISD) where specialized analysis by CDD is needed.
- Engaging with the Cambridge community on topic-specific or location-specific projects; reaching and facilitating discussion among people with diverse interests and opinions.
- Additional assignments based on the applicant’s skills and interests and the division’s needs.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
This Zoning Project Planner should be a self-motivated professional with a strong interest in zoning, development review, and land use regulation in general, with a focus on sustainable and equitable development. This role is an opportunity to further 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.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Required Education and Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, sustainable development, civil engineering, environmental planning, urban planning, real estate, or related field and seven (7) years of professional experience in a position involving implementation of zoning codes, ordinances, or by-laws; a Master’s degree in these fields of study may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
Demonstrated experience in interpreting and/or administering zoning standards, including a familiarity with green building or sustainable design requirements.
Experience in collaborative, team-based project work, both in leading and supporting roles, involving planners, designers, engineers, and other professional disciplines.
Strong public engagement and consensus-building experience, especially involving stakeholders with diverse interests and opinions.
The candidate’s written submissions and interview (if conducted) must show:
Detailed understanding and experience managing the review of large-scale, complex urban development projects at the planning, design, and construction phases.
Ability to read, interpret, and analyze development plans, drawings, studies, and similar technical documents.
Understanding of sustainable development standards at both a detailed, technical level and a big-picture policy level.
Excellent communication skills, both written and oral.
Ability to independently manage administrative workload, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
The ideal candidate will show the following qualities in their written submission and interview (if conducted):
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.
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.
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.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS: Work involves frequent evening meetings, travelling to and through the city to different locations within Cambridge, walking, and climbing stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting. Some work will involve walking tours to survey different areas of Cambridge as well as public and community meetings held at various locations throughout Cambridge. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational need.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Vacation, personal, and sick days
- Sick incentive pay eligibility
- Management allowance of $2700/year
- City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
Please upload the below documents to complete your application.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
