JOB DESCRIPTION

Senior Planner Position

Application Deadline: Rolling until position is filled

Start Date: ASAP

Salary Range: $70,000 to $85,000 (Dependent on experience and qualifications)

To Apply: Send resume and cover letter detailing your qualifications and reasons for applying to Deb Cyr, dcyr@smpdc.org.

The Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC) is seeking an organized, independent, and motivated Senior Planner. The position will support the land use and transportation divisions, including the Kittery Area Comprehensive Transportation System (KACTS) Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), with transportation planning, municipal planning board support, regional long-range planning, regulatory development, data analysis, and oversight of federal and state grant activities. Some evening meetings are required, with options for compensatory time.

This position will interact with diverse stakeholders, including internal SMPDC staff, KACTS Policy Board, municipal staff from SMPDC's member communities, regional non-profits and businesses, State agencies including MaineDOT and the Maine office of Community Affairs (MOCA), and elected officials.

Skills and Qualifications

Skills and qualifications of the successful candidate include:

• Knowledge of and demonstrated experience with land use and transportation planning strategies.
• Proven record of project management with strong organizational, budgeting, and record-keeping skills.
• Demonstrated ability to research, integrate, analyze, and interpret data from various sources to produce technical and non-technical information and reports.
• Experience and comfort with planning and facilitating meetings of diverse stakeholder audiences.
• Ability to multitask and perform under deadlines independently and as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal communications to non-technical audiences.
• Strong sense of professionalism and ability to meet deadlines among competing demands.
• Experience with writing and managing state and/or federal grants.
• Prior experience working with municipal committees and/or planning boards preferred.
• Prior experience and knowledge in multimodal transportation planning preferred.

Responsibilities

This position will primarily support the land use and transportation divisions. Primary duties include the following:

• Project Management
  • Assist with scopes of work and detailed work plans for municipal, regional, and state projects.
  • Lead multi-disciplinary teams to develop and implement projects, delegate tasks and track progress.
  • Manage consultant subcontracts, including contract development, invoicing, and quality management.
  • Meet reporting requirements by managing budgets and evaluating project progress and results.
• Transportation Planning and MPO Support
  • Lead key components of the KACTS Unified Planning Work Program
  • Manage transportation databases including data collection, analysis, and mapping
  • Oversee local and regional studies and reports for active transportation, transit, and safety
  • Provide technical assistance for local, regional, and statewide transportation initiatives
  • Assist communities in navigating MaineDOT's various Partnership Initiatives from planning to design
• Municipal planning board support and regulatory development
  • Site plan and subdivision review according to local land use ordinances
  • Write memos and clearly communicate review to municipal planning boards
  • Provide staff support and guide municipal planning boards in their review of applications
  • Work with municipal planning boards to update or write new land use ordinances
  • Attend municipal public hearings to discuss updated and/or new land use ordinances

• Long-Range Planning, such as comprehensive and open space plans
  • Data analysis and research
  • Community engagement activities
  • Clear communication of findings with planning boards/committees and the community
  • Develop plan deliverables - reports, chapters, graphs or charts
• Other regional projects and programs
  • Collaborate with colleagues on creative approaches to long-range planning challenges and projects
  • Assist with new grant applications

Education and Experience

The Senior Planner must have at least five (5) years of experience in a professional setting or any equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates possession of the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. The preferred candidate will have applied experience working on land use and/or transportation issues in a municipal and/or regional setting. Master's degree in planning or related field preferred, but not required. Experience with or knowledge of GIS mapping is a benefit.

About SMPDC

SMPDC is a non-partisan nonprofit that cultivates thriving, sustainable communities and strengthens local governments by leading planning and economic development for 39 member towns in southern Maine. SMPDC is a leader in land use, transportation, economic development and sustainability planning throughout Maine.

SMPDC offers a flexible work environment with opportunities for advancement and professional enrichment. The position offers a competitive benefits package and salary range commensurate with experience. The organization offers a hybrid work environment with both in-office work and remote work. SMPDC's office is located in a vibrant area, walking distance from both downtown Saco and Biddeford, which was just recognized as a 'Top 10 Small City in America for Food' by Food & Wine Magazine.

SMPDC is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOM).

Please send resume and cover letter to Deb Cyr at dcyr@smpdc.org.