Required Experience:
Full job description
Overview: The Town of Norwell, a community known for its scenic beauty, historic character, active civic engagement and volunteerism, seeks a highly motivated and talented Director of Planning & Community Development to guide our planning and development initiatives. You will be responsible for planning, developing, directing, organizing, coordinating and administering the Town’s municipal planning, land-use development, approving site plans, affordable housing, redevelopment, and all community development functions and activities. We are looking for a leader who is knowledgeable in related Federal, State, and Local laws who can develop comprehensive strategies and provide insight and recommendations to the Town Administrator and Planning Board on land use and community development projects.
Norwell’s Planning department emphasizes collaboration, transparency, integrity and excellent service to align planning efforts with community needs. The Town promotes a healthy balance between professional responsibilities and personal well-being. We offer excellent paid time off, health coverage and retirement. Municipal employees may qualify for federal student loan forgiveness.
Essential Functions: The essential functions or duties listed below 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 all initiatives and functions as they relate to land use planning, housing, transportation, economic development, community development, and related areas; maintains oversight of the department’s administrative staff and peer review consultants.
Develops comprehensive strategies; provides insight for the Town Administrator and Planning Board on land use and community development projects. Maintains oversight of the department’s administrative staff and peer review consultants.
Develops comprehensive plans and programs for utilization of land and physical facilities of the Town. Manages and updates the Master Plan and all other planning and community development documents. Analyses the Town Charter and Zoning Bylaws; drafts proposed amendments.
Support economic development by attracting new businesses, supporting existing businesses, and developing strategies for revitalizing commercial districts.
Facilitate public meetings, workshops, and surveys to gather community input on development projects and planning initiatives.
Confers with stakeholders and recommends administrative matters for land use to the Planning Board for votes, including site plan reviews and/or permitting projects. Ability to read, review, interpret and communicate all Federal, State, and Local Laws and Bylaws including, but not limited to Planning, Zoning and Community Development. Attends meetings and workshops; prepares agendas, public hearing advertisements, minutes, presentations, reports, updates, and other related materials; presents appropriate administrative matters to the board for votes, including site plan review or permitting.
Provides technical assistance on complex development proposals to Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Historical Commission and others. Makes recommendations on development applications; oversees preparation of meeting agendas, public hearing advertisements, meeting minutes, staff reports and decisions. Ensures compliance with statutory regulations and deadlines.
Administers Norwell’s Subdivision Rules and Regulations. Analyzes and inspects subdivision proposals; coordinates departmental review; makes recommendations to the Planning Board.
Works with Zoning Board of Appeals to administer and update Norwell’s Zoning Bylaws. Analyzes zoning issues; prepares and recommends amendments to the Zoning Bylaws.
Assists Town boards, committees, commissions, department heads and agencies with planning updates, including regulations, fee schedules, and subdivisions; oversees agendas, meetings and various grant applications to include Complete Streets and Pathways Committee as well as the Open Space Committee. Directs and administers grant expenditures to ensure compliance with grant requirements, laws, and regulations. Prepares and submits reports.
Manages the public hearing process; advertises proposed developments appropriately and within required timeframes.
Prepares departmental budget; authorizes contracts and payments to relevant vendors in an appropriate, timely and efficient manner. Manages department procurement activities.
Consults with the Conservation Agent in the management of Town conservation activities and sustainability efforts.
Prepares relevant Annual and Special Town meeting articles, including articles as they relate to planning and zoning; prepares reports and materials for Town meeting presentations.
Manages Town’s Subsidized Housing Inventory, ensuring timely inventory increase requests are made, audits the Department of Housing and Livable Communities (DLC) Subsidized Housing Inventory.
Manages Housing Production Plan updates with Community Housing Trust (CHT) as well as affordable housing efforts driven by the Town.
Assists members of the public and developers with inquiries; provides information and guidance on pending development projects. Provides guidance to property owners on development of personal property. Meets with developers and land use attorneys to review regulatory requirements. Communicate with other departments regarding any new or ongoing relevant issues related to land use.
Responds to inquiries from the Building Department; signs off on building permits and occupancy permits utilizing shared online permitting software (PermitEyes).
Attends monthly Metro Area Planning Council (MAPC) South Shore Coalition meetings.
Assists other departments, regional entities, and outside agencies upon request.
Performs other related job duties as required.
Education & Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in public administration, municipal/urban planning, economic development, engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferred. At least five (5+) years of municipal planning experience or any equivalent combination of education, training, certification, and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities to perform essential functions of the job.
Licenses & Certifications: Valid Massachusetts Class D Driver’s License required.
American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) certification preferred.
Salary Range: This is a non-union position with a full salary range of $87,400 to $110,000. Starting salary will be commiserate with education, certifications, and experience.
To Apply: Please visit https://townofnorwell.net for a complete job description. Submit a cover letter, resume and Town of Norwell employment application via email to Town of Norwll Human Resources.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $87,400.00 - $110,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
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