Housing Planner

Overview

Position Summary

Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC) seeks a Housing Planner to assist regional and local efforts related to housing and community development within Berkshire County, Massachusetts.

The Housing Planner will be a key member of the Community Planning and Development Program. They will assist with the implementation of regional strategies in housing and provide support to communities enacting policy and regulatory changes. They will also assist with grant writing, tasks related to Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) administration, and other program-related projects and initiatives.

Responsibilities

The Planner serves as a team member for multiple regional and municipal planning and implementation projects. Responsibilities include:

• Performs a wide range of functions within the area of specialization, including research, data collection, assessment and evaluation, and development of plans, reports, and other material for publication.
• Leads and facilitates public participation in planning projects and plan formulation and implementation.
• Reviews analyses of impacts in the area of expertise.
• Completes assigned tasks according to schedule and hour/budget allocations.
• Provides support to Project and Program Managers as necessary.
• Works with Senior Planners and Program Managers to identify possible new projects/programs.

Overall agency responsibilities include: 

• Provides support to ongoing outreach and other activities, such as the agency newsletter, training, and website.
• Provides staff support to agency committees.
• Provides support to the organization and management of the agency’s material related to their area of expertise.
• Provides technical assistance and expertise to Berkshire region municipalities.
• Provides technical assistance and support to other agency initiatives and projects.
• Interacts at a staff level with state and federal agencies in areas of expertise and in working on regional and state coordinating groups.
• Develops grants and provides support material for grant development and project management.
• Provides staff and technical support for Clearinghouse reviews as requested.

Skills & Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, or closely related field and 2 years of direct experience.
• Masters degree in planning, or a closely related field, may be substituted for experience.
• Experience related to CDBG and housing planning strongly preferred.

Additional Qualifications

• Excellent problem solving skills.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate with a wide range of people.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (365).

Work Environment

This is a full time position (35-hours work week with flex time available). This is a hybrid position requiring 2 days per week in the BRPC office.

Salary & Benefits

Salary: $60,109 – $66,855 / yr

Full-time employment includes a generous benefits package including: Medical, Dental, Vision & Life Insurance; Short- & Long-Term Disability; State Retirement; 457b Deferred Compensation Plan; Medical and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts; Sick Time, Vacation Time, Holiday & Floating Holiday Time.

Applications

Please send a cover letter, resume, and two-page (max) writing sample to info@berkshireplanning.org. Please include “Housing Planner” in the subject line.