Community Assistance Planner

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (HLC) is seeking a Community Assistance Planner (Regional Planner III) in the Community Assistance Unit of the Livable Communities Division.

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is responsible for building more homes and lowering housing costs across the Commonwealth through partnerships with municipalities, housing authorities, and community stakeholders.

OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

The Community Assistance Planner works in HLC’s Community Assistance Unit, which helps cities and towns with housing, zoning, land use, and community development programs.

This position administers several programs, including HDIP zoning and local tax exemption work, UCH-TIF, and 121A. The role also provides active backup support for Chapter 40B and Housing Production Plans, Chapter 40R/Smart Growth, and Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, with occasional support for Urban Renewal, the Bureau of Relocation, and other land use programs.

The Community Assistance Planner uses professional judgment to review program-related documentation and submissions, identify and help address program and implementation issues, prepare guidance and correspondence, and collaborate with municipalities, developers, regional planning agencies, state agencies, HLC staff, and other stakeholders to support housing and community development across the Commonwealth.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):

1.     Program Administration

·       Administer the zoning and local tax exemption components of the Housing Development Incentive Program, including application review, Tax Increment Exemption (TIE)-related work, coordination with legal and Housing Development staff, program records, and technical assistance.

·       Administer the Urban Center Housing Tax Increment Financing (UCH-TIF) Program, including application review and processing, coordination with legal staff, program records, and technical assistance to communities and developers.

·       Administer the 121A Urban Redevelopment Corporations Program (URC), including research and review of project-specific materials, coordination with municipalities, developers, legal staff, and other partners, and support for the approval and implementation of 121A projects.

2.     Program Backup and Support

·       Provide active backup to lead program staff for Chapter 40B and Housing Production Plans, including but not limited to, document review, HPP and certification work, responding to Safe Harbor questions, and technical assistance to cities and towns.

·       Provide active backup to lead program staff for Chapter 40R/Smart Growth and Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, including but not limited to, review of affirmative fair housing marketing plans and other program documents, zoning-related review, and technical assistance.

·       Provide occasional support for Urban Renewal, the Bureau of Relocation, and other land use programs as assigned, including but not limited to, document review, responding to inquiries, correspondence, technical assistance, and coordination with lead program staff.

3.     Planning and Technical Assistance

·       Review program-related documentation and materials involving housing, zoning, land use, housing production, or municipal planning, and help identify and resolve program or implementation challenges.

·       Prepare and update guidance, presentations, website content, records, and other materials that help staff, municipalities, and the public understand the programs.

·       Answer questions from municipal officials, regional planning agencies, developers, consultants, state agencies, HLC staff, and other stakeholders.

·       Help communities and partners understand housing, zoning, land use, community development, municipal planning, and growth management initiatives.

·       Present information at meetings, trainings, workshops, conferences, and other public or stakeholder events.

4.     Coordination and Additional Support

·       Review grant applications when assigned to determine whether proposed projects meet stated criteria and objectives.

·       Provide planning, zoning, land use, and housing program input to support policy discussions, program work, and guidance materials when requested.

·       Perform other duties as assigned.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience in housing, land use, zoning, municipal planning, regional planning, community development, urban renewal, relocation, economic development, or a related field.
• Knowledge of state housing, land use, zoning, planning, community development, urban renewal, relocation, or municipal assistance programs.
• Familiarity with one or more of the following: Chapter 40B, Housing Production Plans, Chapter 40R/Smart Growth, Chapter 40Y/Starter Homes, Chapter 121A, Urban Renewal, Bureau of Relocation, HDIP, UCH-TIF, or related state housing and land use programs.
• Ability to review plans, applications, reports, regulations, zoning materials, program documents, and other technical materials for consistency with laws, regulations, guidelines, policies, and program requirements.
• Ability to explain technical information clearly to cities, towns, regional planning agencies, municipal staff, consultants, developers, public officials, HLC staff, and other stakeholders.
• Experience coordinating work across internal teams, external partners, municipalities, regional planning agencies, or multiple program areas.
• Strong writing skills, including the ability to prepare clear recommendations, memoranda, guidance materials, reports, correspondence, and public-facing information.
• Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities, track deadlines, maintain accurate records, and work independently.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion when handling policy, program, legal, stakeholder, or public questions.
• Demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and related data or document management tools.

COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.

This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.