Town Planner/Community Development Coordinator - Town of Great Barrington

The Town of Great Barrington seeks to fill the newly created position of Town Planner/Community Development Coordinator. Responsibilities include performing all municipal planning functions and provide staff support to the various land use boards and committees. The Town Planner performs a wide range of municipal planning functions and provides review and analysis of development projects, provides technical planning assistance to the Board of Selectmen, Planning Board, Zoning Boards of Appeals, Historic District Commission and Zoning Enforcement Officer/Building Inspector, coordinates the town’s long range comprehensive planning activities and conducts other related work, as required. In addition the Town Planner/Community Development Coordinator will identify and foster economic development opportunities along with applying for and administering various State and Federal Grants.

Bachelor’ s Degree in Urban Planning, Regional Planning, Public Administration or related field required; Master’s Degree preferred. A minimum of four years (2 years with a Master’s Degree) experience in municipal planning, professional planning, or related industry or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this position. Experience with public planning and community development grant applications in Massachusetts highly desirable. Flexible 40 hour work week. This position is under the administrative direction of the Town Manager. Salary negotiable depending upon experience and qualifications. Full position description is available on Town of Great Barrington website

Please submit resume, cover letter and a brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages) to the Town Manager, Town Hall, 334 Main Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230. Priority will be given to submissions received by 4:00 pm August 1, 2008 but posting will remain open until position is filled. Submissions received after August 1, 2008 will be considered in the order received.

Planner

Dynamic and motivated individual sought for entry-level professional position directed towards local and regional land use and community development analysis and planning, economic and community development projects, and related work. Excellent opportunity for the correct individual to gain multi-faceted experience in community and regional planning. The selected employee will be responsible for working to develop land use planning documents/tools such as community master plans, open space plans, development guidance documents, land use regulations and other potential products. Work involves interacting with community leaders and the public, researching and analyzing land use and environmental information, generating plans and other documents, assisting in the development of land use ordinances, and researching and providing resource and funding information to implement recommendations. Employees are expected to exercise a degree of independent judgment and initiative in the performance of duties and provide project management for various assignments.

As a regional planning agency, the BRPC Community Planning Program assists member municipalities with economic, housing and community development plans and projects, comprehensive planning as well as development review and permitting. Applicants must demonstrate a high level basic planning skill set as well as skills and abilities in completing assignments successfully. The person will also have a strong ability to communicate in oral and written form, an ability to work with people, a creative mind.

BRPC serves the western-most region in Massachusetts. The region contains 2 small cities and 30 towns and, while relatively rural, contains a concentration of world-class cultural arts and entertainment venues and abundant year-round outdoor recreation opportunities at your doorstep. Manhattan and Boston are both less than 3 hours away. Cost-of-living is average, particularly when compared to most of Massachusetts and the urban northeast.

Minimum requirements: Master's Degree in planning or closely related field and no experience or Bachelor’s Degree with coursework in planning-related subjects and 2 years of experience in community, land use, and economic development planning. Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office are essential. Must have valid driver’s license and access to private vehicle. Starting salary: $40,000 - $45,000 with very attractive benefits package. Position available immediately and open until filled.

Submit resume as well as a two page writing sample (no longer than 2 pages) to: Judy Wagner. E-mail submissions are strongly encouraged. No telephone calls.
EOE/Smoke- and Drug-free Workplace. 1 Fenn Street, Suite 201, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Emergency Preparedness Planner

Dynamic, motivated individual wanted to advance and expand the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's (BRPC) work on various Emergency Preparedness programs. As a regional planning agency, the BRPC assists member communities and regional entities on planning activities including those related to emergency preparedness. The selected individual will provide management and planning for various grants including Berkshire County Board of Health (BCBOHA) fiduciary grants and Western Region Homeland Security grants. Specific planning duties include evacuation and sheltering planning, data collection for a statewide resource directory and acting as a liaison to the local municipalities, the Regional Emergency Planning Committees, the Western Region Homeland Security Advisory Council and the Berkshire County Boards of Health.

BRPC serves the western-most region in Massachusetts. The region contains 2 small cities and 30 towns and, while relatively rural, contains a concentration of world-class cultural arts and entertainment venues and abundant year-round outdoor recreation opportunities at your doorstep. Manhattan and Boston are both less than 3 hours away. Cost-of-living is average, particularly when compared to most of Massachusetts and the urban northeast.

Applicants must demonstrate a high level basic planning skill set as well as demonstrate leadership skills and abilities. A Master’s Degree in Planning, Public Administration, Emergency Management or a relevant field is required or Bachelors’ Degree with at least 2 years of specific experience in emergency preparedness response or planning. Specific experience in emergency preparedness response or planning is desirable. Applicants must be proficient in Microsoft Office applications. Applicants must be able to travel within Berkshire County and Western Massachusetts. Starting salary: $40,000 - $45,000 with competitive benefit package. Position available immediately and open until filled. This is a one year contract position.

Submit a resume including a comprehensive list of all planning projects directly worked on by applicant as well as a two page writing sample (no longer than 2 pages) to: Judy Wagner, Judy Wagner. E-mail submissions are strongly encouraged. No telephone calls.
EOE/Smoke- and Drug-free Workplace. 1 Fenn Street, Suite 201, Pittsfield, MA 01201