Planning Associate

Job Description

Primary purpose:

Under the direct supervision of the Chief Planner and Chief of Long Range.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: None

Supervision Received: Director, Deputy Director, Chief Planner, Chief of Long Range

Supervision Given: None

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

The Planning Associate is part of the current planning team and provides zoning information, reviews and analyzes development proposals, and provides research and technical support for historic preservation and long-range planners. The Planning Associate is responsible for understanding and applying regulations; reviewing requests for special permits, comprehensive permits, administrative site plan reviews, Section 5-58 reviews of public building projects, and wireless telecommunications reviews; and coordinating with other City departments and City Councilors. Additional tasks include conducting research and participating in public meetings for updating the City’s comprehensive plan and zoning, as well as neighborhood planning studies and corridor plans.

• Responsible for all aspects of development review, including providing zoning information, reviewing plans and studies as part of development requests, conducting site visits, writing recommendation reports and making oral presentations to decision makers such as City Council, Planning and Development Board, and Zoning Board of Appeals, and reviewing constructed projects.
• Reviews development proposals for consistency with regulations, adopted City policies, and good planning practices and principles. Provides feedback to applicants on proposals.
• Provides customer service by responding to questions and requests for information from applicants, the public, City Councilors, and other City departments.
• Conducts studies and prepares reports in developing land use, housing, transportation, economic development, and other strategies related to long- and short-range planning studies. Prepares analytical research reports and makes recommendations regarding policy, regulation and ordinance changes.
• Collaborates with City development review staff regarding development proposals, land use and zoning policy and regulations.
• Provides staff and technical support to City Council, as needed, including the Land Use Committee, Zoning and Planning Committee, Real Property Reuse Committee.
• Provides staff and technical support to the Planning and Development Board, Newton Historic Commission and Local Historic Districts.
• Responds to public and media inquiries regarding zoning, development proposals, and land use issues.
• Assists in research for and preparation of writing grant proposals for the City of Newton.
• Represents the Planning and Development Department at public meetings and events.
• Collaborates with other planning staff to plan and implement community or economic development services that meet the needs of the community.

Secondary Elements

• Attends and participates in staff, department or other meetings, some of which may be before or after normal business hours. Serve on assigned committees, task forces. Coordinates and participates in special events. Maintains required contacts to keep abreast of developments within field or areas of interest, liaison with community or other groups. Assists in responding to customer service inquiries. Performs other related duties as required or directed.

Qualifications:

(To perform successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential functions.)

Education, Training and Experience: Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university in city planning, public administration or related field; plus, three to five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience. Broad knowledge of planning principles and the use of office equipment such as the personal computer and computer software.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Skill: LANGUAGE SKILLS: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret scientific data, demographics, technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to present information, which may be controversial in nature, in written or oral format that conforms to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to public groups, clients and employees of the organization.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS: Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.

REASONING ABILITY: Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical information in mathematical or diagram form and make related decisions within the limits of established policies.

A strong commitment to public service required.

Physical requirements/work environment

(The physical demands described here represent those requirements that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Work is performed under typical office conditions; the noise level is quiet to moderate at most times. Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.

Operates computers, printers, facsimile machine, copier, calculator, telephone and standard office equipment.

Has frequent contact with other City departments, current employees, and vendors/service providers.

Has access to all department-level confidential information, which requires the application of appropriate judgment, discretion and professional office protocols.

Errors in judgment or omissions could result in considerable confusion and delay, have a continuing adverse effect on the library’s ability to deliver services, be costly to correct and cause significant adverse public relations.

Tasks require the ability to exert light physical effort in sedentary to light work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling of objects and materials of light weight (5 - 10 pounds). Tasks may involve extended periods of time at a keyboard or workstation. Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate sounds and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Requires the ability to operate, maneuver and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions.

Performance Standard

Employees at all levels are expected to effectively work together to meet the needs of the community and the City through work behaviors demonstrating the City’s values. Employees are also expected to lead by example and demonstrate the highest level of ethics.

Company Description

THE CITY:

The City of Newton is a wonderful place to live and work. Newton has safe and attractive neighborhoods, an excellent public school system, an active community life, multiple transportation systems, proximity to Boston and a well-managed and financially strong City government. The City of Newton has a population of approximately 88,900, with 32,600 housing units and occupies a land area of 18.3 square miles. Newton is principally suburban-residential in character. Unlike many other communities that are established around a single Main Street or downtown, Newton is comprised of thirteen distinctive villages. Newton has a diversified economic base with approximately 4,700 establishments employing approximately 79,500 people. Newton is special in many ways. It is home to a variety of private secondary and post-secondary schools including a portion of Boston College, Lasell University, William James College, Hebrew College, and the UMass Amherst – Mount Ida Campus. The longest stretch of the Boston Marathon runs through the City, including the well-known Heartbreak Hill. Newton-Wellesley Hospital, part of the Mass General Brigham health care system, serves as an important partner to the City. In September 2018, Newton was again ranked #1 in Massachusetts as the best place to live and #12 in the U.S.

OUR GOVERNMENT:

Newton has what is known as a “strong Mayor” form of government with the Mayor having the executive and administrative powers of the City. The legislative branch is comprised of 24 City Councilors. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller was sworn in on January 1, 2018 after serving on the City Council. She ran on a platform of providing Newton’s children with a top-notch education in an inclusive environment where empty nesters, seniors, young families, and people of diverse incomes can live together in vibrant villages and neighborhoods. Mayor Fuller is committed to keeping Newton safe, improving the city’s infrastructure, addressing climate change, providing excellent and responsive city services, and fostering art, culture and community life. The first female Mayor of Newton, she is a tireless advocate for all the city’s residents and is committed to making sure the city is welcoming, inclusive and diverse. The City of Newton was evaluated by Moody’s Investors Services in February 2020 and assigned its highest rating of AAA. Newton was thus well-positioned to weather the pandemic and economic downturn.

AS AN EMPLOYER:

The City of Newton believes that its employees are its greatest asset. To that end, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing competitive wages and growth, a comprehensive benefits package which includes a defined municipal pension plan, quality health and dental insurance plans, generous paid leave benefits, paid holidays, and access to supplemental benefits such as deferred compensation, short term disability plans, flexible spending accounts, and other employee benefits. We also provide access to an Employee Assistance Program and access to employee training and professional development opportunities. We continuously work to review and expand upon our benefit offerings. We encourage you to visit our Human Resources Department website to learn more about our organization and benefits which are available to our employees. And as always, you are encouraged to reach out to our dynamic HR Team by emailing hr@newtonma.gov.

Human Resources Diversity Statement

We recognize our workforce is a source of strength that is vital to our ability to effectively serve the City of Newton’s diverse community. We will:

• Actively recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and talented workforce.
• Proactively address discrimination through education and in partnership with other departments and leaders.
• Serve as a role model to celebrate and nurture diversity.
• Foster inclusion by staying curious and clarifying assumptions.
• Evaluate and develop policies and practices that reflect the diverse nature of our workforce.
• Build and strengthen accountability at all levels to support diversity efforts.

Benefits

• Health insurance
• Dental insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• 457 Deferred Compensation plans
• Metro Credit Union
• Verizon Wireless discount
• Employee Assistance Program
• Generous paid leave time benefits and paid holidays.
• City Retirement (Mandatory)
• Weekly Direct Deposit
• Opportunity to serve the public and join a dynamic team of dedicated employees