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:

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.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

This Associate Zoning Planner should be a self-motivated professional with a strong interest in zoning and land use regulation who wants to develop their 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 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.
• Computer Proficiency:  General office applications (Microsoft Office suite) and ability to learn more advanced applications.
• The candidate’s written submissions and interview (if conducted) must show:
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds and ideologies.
• 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:

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.
• Direct experience in developing and/or analyzing proposed zoning ordinances or by-laws in a professional or academic context.
• 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 needs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

Competitive benefits package including:

• Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
• Vacation and Sick leave eligible
• Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
• 3 Personal days
• 14 Paid Holidays
• Management Allowance, $2700 year
• City employee transportation benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Bluebikes membership, EZRide Shuttle)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Letter of Interest
• Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide and discuss examples of past work demonstrating their understanding of land use and zoning issues as well as their skills in presenting analysis and recommendations, which may include written materials and/or graphic representations.