Housing Planner

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Encompassing the Housing, Economic Development, Community Planning, Zoning and Development, and Environmental and 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, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Housing Director, the Housing Planner will be a key member of the Housing Division's affordable housing development team and will manage compliance with the City's Inclusionary Housing and Incentive Zoning provisions through which market-rate developments create affordable housing and contribute funding to assist in advancing City housing goals. Manage studies related to these provisions, research and manage new policy initiatives, provide support to the Inclusionary Rental and Homebuyer program teams, and assist with other City housing programs as needed. The Housing Planner will work with other CDD staff and City departments, neighborhood groups, non-profit and private housing developers and managers, lenders, and the Cambridge Housing Authority.

Primary responsibilities include:

* Managing and ensuring compliance with Inclusionary Housing provisions of the zoning ordinance for housing developments through the planning, permitting, and construction phases, and delivery of completed affordable units
* Managing preparation and timely completion of legal and other program agreements
* Overseeing completion of affordable homes and managing transition of homes to rental or homeownership program teams; providing support to program teams around administration of continuing program requirements
* Managing compliance with Incentive Zoning provisions for non-residential developments through the planning, permitting, and construction phases, ensuring housing contributions are made consistent with the zoning ordinance
* Developing, maintaining, and implementing program processes and documents to ensure consistent application and administration of Inclusionary Housing and Incentive Zoning program requirements; and reviewing program documentation and drafting program policy documents, regulations, and zoning amendments
* Undertaking periodic studies to review the need for and impact of Inclusionary Housing and Incentive Zoning provisions, including developing methodologies, selecting and managing study teams, seeking public input and community review of completed studies
* Researching selected housing program and development policy topics; maintaining knowledge of new and emerging affordable housing programs and other tools that advance community housing goals
* Maintaining appropriate records and materials, and managing public access to information regarding active and completed development efforts; Compiling and analyzing program data for program evaluation, management, and goal setting
* Developing and maintaining relationships with residents, housing providers, developers, property managers, community groups, lenders, other housing agencies and service providers
* Assisting with other City housing programs and special projects as needed; Performing other duties as required

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

The Housing Planner should be a self-motivated, detail-oriented professional who is ready to work individually and as part of a team in a fast-paced office environment to expand affordable housing opportunities in Cambridge. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to equity and respect, both in the provision of services and in the workplace. 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.

Education & Experience

* Bachelor's degree and 7 years of relevant experience in affordable housing development, development review or affordable housing program management, 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 with affordable housing or other residential estate development, including familiarity with all phases of the development process from project inception to completion
* Experience with program administration including preparing and managing program agreements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

* Good judgement; demonstrated customer service skills, excellent interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills (written and oral)
* Strong computer skills including demonstrated proficiency with essential software (primarily, Word, Excel, Outlook)
* Excellent organizational, time management, and project management skills; Ability to set priorities, manage multiple responsibilities, and meet deadlines
* Ability to interpret and work with complex regulations and zoning; ability to understand, interpret, summarize, and communicate City program policies and guidelines to project sponsors and others
* Ability to gather, assemble and analyze relevant data for program development
* Capacity to work collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues to achieve team goals

Pre ferred:

* Demonstrated success in public sector development review or housing development in a municipal, state, federal or private organization
* Experience working with zoning and other regulatory frameworks, and drafting, developing managing compliance with loan documents, zoning, and other regulatory agreements
* Proficiency with GIS and other mapping and visualization tools
* Knowledge of the Cambridge community
* Proficiency in Amharic, Haitian Creole, Portuguese and/or Spanish

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT : Work involves frequent evening meetings; travelling throughout the city to existing residential buildings, buildings under construction, and other properties and development sites; driving; walking; and climbing stairs. Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting; public meetings to present and discuss housing development, housing programs and policies; and visits to building and construction sites. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City's Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

* Competitive health, dental, and vision insurance
* Vacation and Sick leave eligible
* Sick Incentive Pay Eligible
* 3 Personal days
* 14 Paid Holidays
* Management Allowance, $2,700/year
* Discounted MBTA monthly pass, Bluebikes membership and EZRide Shuttle pass



REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application.

* Resume
* Cover letter

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