Company: City of Newton
Job description:
Primary purpose:
Under the direct supervision of the Director of Planning & Development and the Deputy Director of Planning & Development.
Supervision:
Supervision Scope: Oversees the Current Planning staff
Supervision Received: Works under the policy and general direction of the Director of Planning and Development and Deputy Director; and completes work in accordance with established departmental policies, priorities and standards. Maintains a strong sense of urgency in order to meet deadlines and respond to inquiries in a timely and efficient manner
Supervision Given: At the direction and assignment of the Director and Deputy Director, will oversee, direct and administer the performance and review of all Current Planning staff.
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.)
- Manages of the Current Planning Division: Assists Director and Deputy Director in day-to-day operations of the Current Planning Division and oversees operations of all current planning and support staff (currently three land use planners, and chief zoning code official).
- Assigns work amongst current planning staff including but not limited to land use committee petitions, building permit reviews, occupancy permit reviews, inquiries from residents, developers and other interested parties regarding development review and the Newton Zoning Ordinance.
- Oversees all development review processes and staff related to special permits, comprehensive permits, and site plan reviews.
- Facilitates Current Planning staff meetings as necessary to ensure that all deadlines (statutory and internal) are met.
- Facilitates development review meetings with the Chief Zoning Code Official, Engineering Division, City Traffic Engineer, Director of Utilities, Assistant Fire Chief, Associate City Solicitor, Inspectional Services Department and Planning Department as necessary.
- Coordinates updates to the City’s comprehensive plan and other master planning and vision documents.
- Works to ensure that development projects, particularly those representing public /private partnerships are consistent with implementation of the City’s adopted plans and policies.
- Collaborates with Long Range Planning on various planning initiatives as well as amendments to the Zoning Ordinance.
- Provides technical support to the Mayor, City Council, developers, and residents on development proposals, and provides direct and/or oversees designated staff support to the Land Use Committee of the City Council and the Zoning Board of Appeals for comprehensive permit applications. Acts as a liaison between the developers, the city development review staff, residents, and the Council for development proposals. Reviews all development review memos and provides guidance to land use planners on reviews of development proposals. Directly responsible for the coordination of technical reviews of all large scale development projects. Oversees and reviews the preparation of the draft Council Orders, on all land use petitions, for the City Council. Collaborates with the Housing Division staff when related to affordable housing proposals.
- Offers technical advice and staffing to the Real Property Reuse Committee on an as needed basis.
- Coordinates data tracking relative to permitting.
- Works with Outreach Coordinator on community engagement around certain development projects.
- Seeks to continuously improve and modernize processes such as development review, NewGov (the online permitting system), and other workflow processes.
- Assists the Director in development of Current Planning Division budget.
- Attend and participate in Department and other meetings and special events.
- Handles and processes complaints, inquiries and questions. Follows up as may be required to maintain excellence in customer service.
- Follows and adheres to department, City and other government rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
- Detects and reports improper operations(s), faulty equipment, defective materials and unusual conditions to supervision. Ensures work area(s) and equipment are maintained in a clean, orderly and safe condition, that prescribed safety measures are followed, that established City and department policies, procedures, rules and regulations are adhered to.
- Performs other duties as required by the Director and Deputy Director.
Minimum Entrance 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: Master’s degree in planning or related field and 4-6 years of direct planning and zoning experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Must have experience working with elected and appointed officials and in participating in planning or policy development studies which have included significant community engagement components. Must be able to work on numerous projects at the same time, all with varying deadlines, and be able to prioritize individual workload as well as coordinate the workload and priorities of others. This person must have excellent interpersonal and customer service skills, both in dealing with staff and the public, as well as elected and appointed officials. The person must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Experience with personal computers, including spreadsheets, and word processing, is essential. AICP membership is also desirable.
Knowledge, Ability and Skill:
Knowledge: Position requires the ability to comprehend the scope of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to specialty area. Knowledge of clerical practices, office procedures and the operation of office equipment such as personal computers and computer software, data processing and/or word processing.
Ability: Ability to exercise good judgement and focus on accuracy and detail as required by the job; Work collaboratively with coworkers in the office; Present information effectively, which may be controversial in nature and respond to questions from outside organizations, clients, citizens, or employees of the City. Ability to build successful working relationships across the City’s diverse variety of clients. Ability to organize time, work independently and accomplish tasks in a fast-paced environment. Ability to maintain detailed records and database. Ability to operate various types of office equipment. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information. Ability to organize clerical and statistical records. Ability to maintain detailed and extensive records and to prepare reports from same. Ability to work effectively under time constraints to meet deadlines. Ability to deal tactfully and professionally with the general public and City departments in an effective manner. Ability to interpret and follow departmental procedures and guidelines. Ability to absorb and learn quickly and maintain a departmental sense of urgency. Ability to use judgement in the analysis of facts and circumstances to solve practical problems and deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
Skill: Exceptional analytical skills; Excellent, clear, and effective writing and organizational skills; Accuracy and attention to detail; Highly motivated self-starter; Strong interpersonal and communication skills (both verbal and written). Expertise and skill in using personal computers and common computer programs (Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, Excel) and database and spreadsheet applications. Excellent customer service skills.
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, 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 department’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.
Job type: Full Time
Fully remote: No
Salary range: $82,388 – $88,705
Location: Newton Massachusetts