TITLE : Town Planner

DEPARTMENT : Community Development & Planning Department DATE : 6/7/24

Summary Description : Under the policy direction of the Community Development & Planning Department will be responsible for supporting the functions and actions of the Regulatory Boards (Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Design Review Committee, and Conservation Committee), as well as the general administrative oversight of the Town Administrator (or appointed representative), the Town Planner shall perform work at both technical and professional levels to assist the Regulatory Boards in the preparation and presentation of studies and plans regarding the long-term physical development of the Town, and in the Planning Board’s recommendations on comprehensive land use planning, zoning analysis, subdivision, and site plan review, design review, the planning aspects of specific projects, conservation and related matters. The employee is required to perform all similar or related duties. Works closely with residents, businesses, and state and local officials.

Supervision Required: Under the administrative direction of the Community Development & Planning Director and in coordination with all regulatory boards, the employee works from municipal policies and objectives and follows State and local regulations; establishes short and long-range plans and objectives, working with outside vendors, the public, and local officials on long-term planning initiatives, department performance standards and assumes direct accountability for department results. Consult with the Regulatory Boards where clarification, interpretation, or exception to municipal policy may be required. The employee is also expected to resolve all conflicts which arise and coordinate with others as necessary.

Supervisory Responsibility: The employee is accountable for the direction and success of department programs accomplished through others. Analyzes program or department goals and objectives, determines work operations, estimates, and allocates the financial and staff resources required. The employee is responsible for recommending the hiring, training, and discipline of department employees. The employee is responsible for the purpose of regulatory board administration, regular supervision of one (1) full-time clerical employee in response to that employee's contributions to this position. Work operations are subject to seasonal or cyclical fluctuations which are reasonably anticipated and planned for in advance.

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.

Exercises considerable independent judgment in carrying out Regulatory Board policies and in rendering professional advice.
Supervises the Regulatory Board functions (currently one administrative assistant).
Makes frequent contacts with developers, contractors, engineers, the general public, other town departments and officials, and regional and state officials providing information or exercising persuasion.
Errors in the technical application of planning procedures or the interpretation of state and local legislation, community attitudes, and regional developments could result in recommendations and town meeting decisions adversely affecting community development and planning.
May have access to a limited amount of department-related confidential information.

Site visits to properties with various terrain, heavy vegetation, and/or wet conditions in all types of weather conditions.

Effectively manage natural resources such as land, water, soil, plants, and animals. Natural resource management is interrelated with the concept of sustainable development, a principle that forms a basis for land management and environmental protection.

Appeals: Make decisions on appeals from the Town's zoning administrator

Variances: Grant or deny applications for variances from zoning ordinances

Special exceptions: Grant or deny applications for special exceptions.

Public hearings: Hold public hearings when needed.

Minimal physical effort is required in performing duties under typical office conditions.
Examples of Work:
Provides professional advice to the Planning Board on subdivision rules and regulations, evaluation of plans, applications for special permits for development, proposed zoning bylaw amendments, and decisions relating to all areas of community planning and development.
Administers Board Activities; oversees compliance with special permit conditions; coordinates local review of major private development proposals; prepares agenda and schedules meetings; follows up on decisions and actions taken by the Board; coordinates Board's activities with other town departments.

Maintains communication with the Planning Board and other Regulatory Boards to ensure that the Board is aware of all activities of the planning staff; provides advice and makes grant applications on behalf of other town boards.
Prepares and assists in the presentation of articles to Town Meeting under the direction of the Director of the Planning Board; analyzes petition articles for potential impact.
Assists and advises landowners, developers, and other interested persons seeking information and interpretation of the town's zoning bylaw and subdivision rules and regulations.

Provides guidance and assistance to various public bodies including but not limited to the ZBA, Design Review, Conservation, Harbor Advisory Committee, and Historic Commission.

Assists in preparation and submittals of NPDES Stormwater Permits on behalf of the Town; assists the Planning Board with adherence to the Stormwater Bylaw by applicants; Recommends updates to the Stormwater Bylaw based on current development trends and guidance from Federal and State partners.
Performs GIS analysis and map creation for Town-wide departments; Keeps current on the latest GIS software/analysis techniques.

Will work some evenings and weekends.

Other duties as assigned.

Recommended Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:
bachelor’s degree in urban planning, public administration, or related field with four years of planning experience or master's degree in planning or related field with two years of planning experience; or any equivalent combination of education and experience. AICP preferred
Knowledge of:

• • Community planning, land use and zoning issues, site plan review, economic development, public infrastructure projects, and environmental sustainability.
  • Grant policies, procedures, and methods.
  • Related state and federal laws and regulations and Town bylaws.
  • Open Meeting Law, Public Records Law, and Robert’s Rules of Order
  • Valid Class D Motor Vehicle Driver’s License
  • Experience in MA land use regulations preferred.

 Ability

• • Prepare routine to complex correspondence and reports utilizing computerized office applications.
  • Develop effective and constructive working relationships with staff, other Town employees, elected and appointed officials, contractors, and the public.
  • Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
  • Understand codes, regulations, and ordinances.
  • Work with interruptions.
  • Interpret regulations firmly, tactfully, and impartially.
  • Conduct independent research and interpret results.
  • Prepare and administer budgets.

Skill

• • Technical writing and presentations.
  • The use of computers and their applications with proficiency in MS Office and Adobe Acrobat.
  • Geographic Information Systems (GIS), ESRI/ArcGIS
  • Knowledge of social media and skillful public presentation techniques.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Majority of work is performed under typical office conditions with minimal physical effort expended. Moderate physical effort is demanded in making inspections. Must be able to access all levels at a construction site. The employee frequently is required to walk, sit, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, crouch or crawl, and taste or smell. Occasionally required to lift and/or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Must be able to see an area peripherally and be able to judge distances and relationships spatially. Vision must be correctable to “normal” ranges.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may work both inside and in outside weather conditions. The employee will work near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions. 

Motor Skills: Duties may involve assignments requiring the application of hand and eye coordination with finger dexterity and motor coordination to stretch, reach, or retrieve department materials. Examples include but are not limited to operating a motor vehicle or a personal computer.

Visual Demands: Visual demands require the employee to routinely read documents for general understanding; the employee is routinely required to review non-written materials for analytical purposes; the employee is required to be able to determine color differences.

EOE/AA