Project Planner jobs in Somerville, MA

ABOUT THE CITY:
The City of Cambridge is a diverse and vibrant community that people of different ethnic, racial, religious, national, and other backgrounds call home (population approx.118,000).  We take pride in our city’s diversity and strive to create a workplace that is reflective of the community we serve. The City is also deeply committed to creating an environment in which all our employees are treated equitably and feel included. We seek to hire, develop, and advance individuals who value antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion (ADEI), and are committed to embedding ADEI best practices and tenets in all aspects of our work.  

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT:
The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Encompassing the Economic Opportunity and Development, Housing, Community Planning, Zoning & Development, and Environmental & Transportation Planning Divisions, CDD’s mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD engages and collaborates with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

ABOUT THE ROLE:
The Climate Resilience Planner is focused on assessing vulnerabilities and developing policies, projects and programs to make our city more resilient in the face of a changing climate. They supervise one full-time staff person and interns. This highly collaborative position facilitates partnerships between city departments, community organizations, advocacy groups, and other municipalities to ensure that our programs and planning processes are coordinated and equitable and that we engage fully with the diverse communities of Cambridge, especially those who have been under-heard, underserved, and historically excluded.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Undertake best practice research and develop technical partnerships with researchers for local application.
• In collaboration with other city departments and consultants, analyze anticipated climate change impacts and manage regular updates to the Cambridge Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment.
• In collaboration with other city departments and consultants, coordinate implementation of actions in and manage regular updates of the Resilient Cambridge plan: www.Cambridgema.gov/ResilientCambridge.
• Participate in regional collaborations with other municipalities, state and regional planning agencies, and non-profit groups to advance climate preparedness and resiliency planning.
•  Support integration of climate change mitigation and resiliency strategies and programs.
•  Support community-based projects and engage in collaborations with community organizations and stakeholders.
• Communicate and engage with the community on climate change preparedness and resiliency.
• Review large development projects and propose climate resiliency measures.
• Oversee consultant procurement and management; prepare grant applications and manage funds awarded.
• Report on program implementation and outcomes.
•  Contribute to development of division work plans, goal setting and reporting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Education & Experience:

• A bachelor's degree in planning, sustainability, public policy, or related field with seven (7) years of related experience, or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience. A master’s degree in a related field may be substituted for 2 years of experience.
• Experience in project management and coordination of work across disciplines and organizational boundaries.
• Experience communicating with a variety of community members such as residents, community-based organizations, advocacy groups, academics and university staff, and property owners.
• Experience managing consultants supporting technical or community engagement activities.
• Experience in public speaking and giving presentations to a variety of audiences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Familiarity with climate change preparedness and resiliency policy development or program implementation.
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and a passion for accuracy.
• Self-starter with demonstrated ability to carry complex projects from concept to implementation, use creative thinking to solve problems, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• The City of Cambridge’s workforce, like the community it serves, is diverse.   Applicants must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies.
• A commitment to antiracism, equity, and inclusion in planning and program implementation.
• Comfortable working with computers and general office applications (Microsoft Office suite); and ability to learn new applications, as needed.

PREFFERED:

• Experience assessing vulnerabilities to climate change at the community scale.
• Direct experience implementing climate preparedness and resiliency projects and programs at the municipal level.
• Facility with data visualization and communication tools.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Some outdoor work required for community engagement events and activities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essentials functions. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT:  Standard office environment with fluorescent lighting, computers, standard office equipment, and air conditioning. Moderate noise level with a shared workstation. Work involved is both indoors in a professional office setting and outdoors at community events. This position may be eligible for a hybrid work schedule under the City’s Telework Policy depending on operational needs.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:

• Health, dental and vision insurance
• vacation, personal and sick days
• sick incentive pay eligibility
• management bonus of $2700 /year
• 14 paid holidays
• City employee commuter benefits (T-Pass reimbursement, Blue bikes membership, EZRide Shuttle membership)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS