ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT:

The Community Development Department (CDD) is the planning agency for the City of Cambridge. Our mission is to foster a livable, sustainable, just, and equitable community. CDD has four divisions - Economic Opportunity & Development, Community Planning & Design, Zoning and Development, and Transportation Planning. Together, we engage and collaborate with community partners, other government agencies, businesses, and residents to make Cambridge a desirable place to live, work, learn, play, and innovate.

The Zoning and Development Division is a team of urban planners performing work in the areas of land use planning and urban development. The division has a Director, a Senior Manager, two Project Planners, two Associate Planners, an Administrative Coordinator, and interns. Specific work areas include:

• Staffing and administering the Cambridge Planning Board
• Coordinating review of major urban development projects
• Providing professional support and advice to the Cambridge City Council and Planning Board in reviewing proposed amendments to the Zoning Ordinance
• Advancing planning initiatives that result in recommended changes to the Zoning Ordinance
• Providing general information about zoning to residents, property owners, businesses, developers, design professionals, other City officials and departments, and others as needed

More information at http://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/zoninganddevelopment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Director of Zoning and Development, the Senior Manager will be responsible for managing key aspects of the work of the Zoning & Development Division including:

• Overseeing the study and preparation of zoning proposals to advance the land use plans, policies, and objectives of the City.
• Developing and analyzing zoning ordinances on a range of complex land use and urban development topics. Recent topics have included zoning for climate resilience and standards for multifamily housing.
• Providing supervision and oversight to other Zoning & Development staff.
• Working in multidisciplinary teams, which may include planners specializing in urban design, transportation, environmental sustainability, housing, and economic development, as well as staff in other City departments, to advance zoning policy initiatives.
• Overseeing the review and analysis of amendments to the Cambridge Zoning Ordinance proposed by residents, property owners, City officials, and others, as assigned.
• Preparing written reports and oral presentations for a range of audiences including the City administration, City Council, Planning Board, and community groups.
• Overseeing the review of major development proposals as assigned.
• Engaging with the Cambridge community in the context of topic-specific or location-specific projects, engaging difficult to reach communities, and facilitating dialog and consensus-building among people with diverse interests and opinions.
• Providing information and advice on land use and zoning matters to other City staff, residents, business owners, property owners and developers, community groups, City Council, Planning Board, and others as needed or requested.
• Additional assignments based on the applicant’s skills and interests and the division’s needs.
• Attending after-hours meetings including Planning Board meetings (held most Tuesday evenings), City Council meetings and committee hearings (held at various times), and community meetings as needed.

 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

 The Senior Zoning Manager should be self-motivated, detail-oriented and ready to help CDD in efforts to conduct high-quality planning and zoning work for the City of Cambridge.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in urban planning, real estate, architecture, or related field is preferred, plus a minimum of seven (7) years professional experience in a position involving analysis, interpretation, and development of zoning codes, ordinances, or by-laws, including experience in a supervisory capacity. A Master’s degree in these fields may be substituted for 2 years of experience;
• All applicants must be able to provide examples of adopted zoning codes that the candidate played a substantial role in developing;
• Experience in collaborative team-based project work, in both leading and supporting roles;

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good judgement; excellent written and oral communication, interpersonal and customer service, and public speaking skills;
• Strong public engagement and consensus-building experience, especially involving stakeholders with diverse interests and opinions; 
• Demonstrated ability to balance individual and team responsibility, encourage ideas, and develop leadership in others;
• Ability to communicate with a diverse range of Department staff, other City employees, elected officials, and members of the public in a courteous and professional manner;
• High level of motivation and detail oriented skills;
• Strong project management, organizational and time management skills;
• Overall computer proficiency including general office applications (Microsoft Office suite) and advanced applications (e.g., Adobe Acrobat);
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple responsibilities, tasks, and interactions while remaining organized in a fast-paced office environment;
• Flexibility to attend evening meetings on a regular basis; and
• Commitment to working in a community that values diversity.

·     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.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with land use and zoning laws, codes, and practices specific to Massachusetts;
• At least two years acting as a direct supervisor to other planning staff;
• Direct experience with elected officials on efforts with a legislative or political matter;
• Experience working in densely populated urban communities undergoing active redevelopment involving a variety of different land use types, including multifamily housing, large-scale commercial development, and major institutional campuses;
• Knowledge of the Cambridge community; and
• A genuine desire to study challenging and current issues in zoning and urban development, and an ability to develop creative regulatory approaches within the legal framework of zoning.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:  Work involves frequent evening meetings, travelling to and through the city to different locations within Cambridge, walking, and climbing stairs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work involved is primarily indoors in a professional office setting. Some work will involve walking tours to survey different areas of Cambridge as well as public and community meetings held at various locations throughout Cambridge. This position may be eligible for hybrid work under the City’s Telework Policy, depending on operational needs.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:

Please upload the below documents to complete your application:

• Resume
• Cover Letter