SENIOR PLANNER

(LAND USE PLANNING COMMISSION)

Opening Date:

May 03, 2024

Closing Date:

May 17, 2024

Location:

Augusta*

Position #:

01750-7405

Position Type:

Full Time (Limited Period)

Class Code:

0603

Grade/Salary:

Grade 25 - $52,832.00 - $71,240.00/Annually

*This position may be relocated to one of the five regional offices depending on the location of the successful candidate. 

The Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s Land Use Planning Commission announces a limited period Senior Planner vacancy. This position is currently budgeted through June 08, 2025.

AGENCY DESCRIPTION: The Land Use Planning Commission is a 9-member citizen board that governs land use planning, zoning, and permitting in the portions of Maine that are unorganized or de-organized, areas covering approximately 10.4 million acres. The staff is responsible for planning, permitting, compliance, and administrative functions, operating out of five regional offices and one central office in Augusta.

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: The Senior Planner is a team member of the Land Use Planning Commission’s (LUPC) planning staff, which provides professional planning services for the unorganized and de‐organized areas of the state. We strive to adapt sound land use planning principles to the LUPC’s unique and sparsely populated service area that covers almost half of the land area of Maine. The LUPC planning staff come from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines to work together to find creative and timely solutions to changing land use planning needs.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Working primarily on updating the Commission's Comprehensive Land Use Plan (CLUP). 
• Coordinating with other staff on research, data analysis, outreach, stakeholder engagement, and other tasks as necessary. 
• Working closely with other members of the Commission's staff to review zoning petitions and permit applications for significant development projects (this includes subdivisions and commercial development). 
• Writing rules and policy statements. 
• Developing inter-departmental initiatives.
• Analyzing development and demographic trends throughout the Commission's service area.

Public meetings and rule‐making proceedings are a regular part of the planning division’s tasks, which involve travel and evening meetings. Building strong working relationships with other agencies and stakeholders is an important part of the Senior Planner’s regular work.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A Bachelor’s degree in assigned area and four (4) years of related work experience. Equivalent related experience may be substituted for education on a year-for-year basis.

Assigned area for this position: Environmental sciences, community planning and development, public administration, or a related field.

Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate the following:

• Understanding of rural land use, resource industries, conservation, and economic development issues.
• Knowledge of relevant state land use laws, regulations, and policies.
• Experience working with stakeholders and the public in a planning process.
• Attention to detail, sound judgement, and flexibility.
• Experience working for a citizen board.
• Ability to independently set and meet deadlines and complete multiple large projects over long time frames.
• Willingness to think creatively, participate effectively in group discussions, and work hard.
• Competence in the use of, or ability and willingness to learn, database and GIS software for analysis.
• Ability to manage and lead project teams in a constructive and productive manner.
• Experience creating and implementing ordinances, regulations, and legislation.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants will need to complete and submit an online State of Maine Direct Hire Application, along with a Cover Letter, and detailed Resume at: https://www.maine.gov/nrsc/jobs/index.shtml#acf

Direct Hire Application forms can be obtained by accessing the NRSC website at: https://www.maine.gov/nrsc/jobs/application.shtml 

IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO APPLY ONLINE: Please mail the application materials listed in the "How to Apply" section to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155.

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No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3 weeks of vacation leave. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($10,523.28-$12,380.40 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. 
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 13.41% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office. 
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive forty-two (42) consecutive calendar days of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. 

If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?
Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.